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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Nov- 2018 -28 November
Retail sales warm in November
Retail sales growth picked up in the year to November after growth largely stalled in October, according to figures from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). However, the group said retailers are “feeling the pinch”, with continued weakness in investment intentions, employment, and business optimism. That’s according to the latest…
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28 November
H&M to scrap Cheap Monday brand leaving 80 jobs affected
H&M has announced it is to close down its Cheap Monday brand blaming “a negative trend in the Cheap Monday’s sales and profits over a long time”. The fashion retailer said the fashion industry is “in a period of extensive change as a result of ongoing digitalisation” and as such…
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27 November
Pets at Home suffers 80% drop in pre-tax profits
Pet retailer Pets at Home has reported an 80.5% drop in pre-tax profits from £40.8m to £8m in its financial results for the 28 weeks from 30 March to 11 October 2018. The company attributed its performance to “increasing cost pressures” faced by its veterinary business. The company said it…
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26 November
Black Friday provided ‘little benefit to struggling high street’
This year’s Black Friday has done “little to help the struggling bricks-and-mortar stores throughout the UK”, according to data from Springboard. The group, which provides insights on retail performance, said overall footfall declined by 5.4% from Black Friday 2017, with declines of similar magnitudes throughout the weekend from last year…
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23 November
Rent-to-own market price cap proposed by FCA
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are consulting on introducing a price cap in the rent-to-own (RTO) market to address harm to vulnerable consumers from high prices. The proposed price cap on RTO products, which are rented by consumers and paid off gradually, would come into effect on 1 April 2019…
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23 November
Wyevale Garden Centres sells five sites
Wyevale Garden Centres has sold five more of its stores as it continues plans to cut back its retail portfolio as part of a turnaround plan. A Wyevale spokesperson told Retail Sector: “In accordance with TUPE regulations colleagues are now being consulted with on the transfer of their employment to…
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22 November
Mothercare revenues down 13% in half-year results
Mothercare’s half year results for the 28 week period to 6 October 2018 saw revenues drop by 13% to £295m. Worldwide sales decreased by 9.8% to £566m, compared with £627m during the period last year, and group adjusted loss before taxation was reported to be £6.2m. In July, the British…
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21 November
Crickhowell High Street crowned ‘UK’s best’ in Great British High Street Awards
Crickhowell High Street has been crowned the overall winner of the government-run Great British High Street Awards 2018. The Welsh high street was commended for its community-led initiatives and strong network of independent businesses and was awarded £15,000 for the local community. The result reflects strong public support on social…
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21 November
87% of Black Friday prices ‘aren’t the cheapest of the year’, says Which?
A year-long investigation by consumers association Which? has found that Black Friday prices “aren’t the cheapest of the year”, and said shoppers could get a better bargain if they’re willing to wait. The group tracked product prices for 12 months, and found that 87% were the same price or cheaper…
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21 November
UK shoppers may spend £234 on average this Black Friday, says PwC
UK consumers are preparing to spend an average of £234 at the tills and online during this year’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping periods, PwC’s latest survey reveals. The £234 average projected spend for 2018 is exactly the same as 2017, suggesting demand has flattened out. Half of UK…
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