High Street
The latest news, updates and analysis on the the British High Street and UK retail industry. Sign up to the Daily Briefing and let Retail Sector’s business journalists keep you in the picture.
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Aug- 2019 -8 August
Adidas shares dip despite double-digit growth
Sportswear retailer Adidas saw shares dip by 2.3% in early trading today (8 August), despite the company’s operating profit growing 13% to €1.518bn (£1.398bn) in its Q2 results. In the first half of 2019, revenues increased 4% on a currency-neutral basis, which is in line with the 3% to 4%…
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7 August
Boots to trial in-store interpretation service
Health and beauty retailer Boots is trialing an interpretation service for non-English speaking pharmacy patients, starting in five stores across the UK. The service is being provided by US firm Voyce, with the service being accessible via in-store iPads. Voyce connects colleagues and patients with interpreters who can translate over…
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7 August
Sports Direct is not a business ‘in crisis’, claims exec
Sports Direct’s head of elevation, Michael Murray, has moved to quash rumours that Sports Direct was in “crisis” in an interview with Sky News, following the purchase of Jack Wills. The retail group posted a profit drop of 9% last year following the acquisition of House of Fraser, which owner…
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6 August
July consumer spending hits record low
UK consumer spending in the month of July fell to a record low despite the good weather, according to the latest statistics from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG. On a total basis, sales increased by 0.3% in July, against an increase of 1.6% the previous year, it is…
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6 August
Sports Direct acquires Jack Wills in pre-pack deal
Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct has acquired fashion retailer Jack Wills from administration, after administrators KPMG accepted the £12.75m offer tabled by the sports retail group. Jack Wills currently has 100 stores in the UK, employing around 1,800 people, with all properties and distribution centres to be transferred to Sports Direct…
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5 August
Mike Ashley to rival Philip Day in Jack Wills takeover bid
Sport Direct owner Mike Ashley and Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM) owner Philip Day are the final bidders for fashion retailer Jack Wills, according to Sky News. It was first reported last month that the brands owner BlueGem was looking for a buyer for the retailer, with Marquee Brands, Johan Eliasch…
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2 August
Pets at Home revenues jump 9.9% in first quarter results
Pet goods retailer Pets at Home has reported a 9.9% increase in group revenue to £303.4m for the 16 week period from 29 March to 18 July 2019. Retail revenue was up 8.7% to £266.4m and omnichannel revenue increased by 36% to £26m – with vet group revenue also up…
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Jul- 2019 -31 July
Games Workshop revenues exceed £250m in full year results
Fantasy miniatures retailer Games Workshop has reported a 16% increase in revenues to £256.5m for the year ending 2 June 2019. Games Workshop revealed operating profit also increased by £6.8m to £81.1m, and retail sales grew by 7% in the year (7% at constant currency), aided by additional growth from…
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31 July
Next raises profit forecast after ‘better than anticipated’ Q2
Clothing and home retailer Next has increased its full-year profit by £10m to £725m +0.3% on last year. The increase is expected to add up to £20m extra profits after expenses. Full price sales in the first half of the year up to 27 July, were up 4.3% on last…
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31 July
Consumer confidence increases by two points in July
Consumer confidence rose by 2 overall to -11 for the month of July, according to GFK’s Consumer Confidence Index. Personal finance situation for the next 12 months continues to recover, +5 for the month, matching the same period last year. The major purchase index increased six points in July to…
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