Year: 2019

Four key trends that will shape retail over the next 12 months

“Retailers need to be ready for an onslaught of industry change. They need to look at store standards and up their game… in order to compete” former Landmark Wholesale MD, Martin William forewarned in 2018. Industry change is certainly happening, but it’s by no means all bad news. New ‘experimental’…

Read More »

Poundland sparks controversy over Valentine’s ‘Gift of Nothing’

Poundland has sparked controversy over the sale of its new ‘Gift of Nothing’ product, which is effectively an empty heart shaped package with the words “exactly what you asked for”. The product has been released as part of Poundland’s Valentine’s Day line and is on sale for the retailer’s trademark…

Read More »

Ousted Deciem founder Brandon Truaxe dies

The founder of beauty brand Deciem has died, the company announced in a statement on Monday (21 January). Brandon Truaxe, 40, launched the brand back in 2013 in Toronto and it is now best known for its skincare line The Ordinary. The news comes after Truaxe was recently ousted from…

Read More »

Dixons Carphone sees Christmas sales boost

Electronics retailer Dixons Carphone has reported a 2% increase in like-for-like sales for the 10 weeks ending 5 January 2019. Group like-for-like revenue increased by 1% during the festive period, with share gains across all categories online and in-store, offsetting market decline. However, UK and Ireland mobile like-for-like sales were…

Read More »

Pets at Home sees ‘strong’ festive sales

Pets at Home had its “biggest trading day” the Saturday before Christmas, as the retailer reported an increase in sales over the festive period. In the 12 week period from 12 October 2018 to 3 January 2019, the chain saw its group revenue increase by 6.3% to £237.2m while its…

Read More »

Chapelle enters administration

Jewellery and watch retailer Chapelle has entered into administration, four years after it was sold to HMV owners Hilco UK. Philip Duffy and Sarah Bell of accountancy firm Duff & Phelps have been appointed as administrators of both Mortimer Management Group and The Jewellery Outlet, which makes up Chapelle. The…

Read More »

ONS reports retail growth ‘slowdown’

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has announced a “slowdown” in retail growth for the whole of 2018 which it said increased by 2.7% in the quantity bought, 2% less than the peak of 4.7% experienced in 2016. For the three months to December 2018 estimates in quantity bought declined…

Read More »

Let’s give retail its pride back

Looking at all the analysis and commentary relating to the ‘golden’ quarter trading figures, published in January by the UK’s major retailers, it’s clear that after a dismal November, retailers had to play a game of catch up in the closing stages of 2018. Whilst there were some positive stories…

Read More »

Mike Ashley among bidders eyeing HMV

According to reports, Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley is among bidders seeking to purchase HMV, which recently announced its second administration in six years. The music and film retailer officially fell into administration during the festive period, and was denied a £3.35m government tax cut before it entered administration according…

Read More »

Vans and North Face owner raises FY forecasts amid revenue boost

VF Corporation (VFC), Vans and The North Face owner, has reported a Q3 4% total revenue growth in its EMEA region and has raised its FY 2019 expectations. In the three months ending December 2018 its Vans brand experienced a global increase of 27% and an 10% increase in its…

Read More »