Year: 2019

Enabling speed and agility in the retail sector

Retail stores are facing huge changes in buying behaviour – 18% of all UK purchases are predicted to be online this year. However, the physical shopping experience still remains important. What has changed is consumer expectations as they look to replicate their online experiences in store. For any bricks-and-mortar retailer…

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US investment firm acquires Majestic Wine in £100m deal

Majestic Wine has entered into an agreement to sell its commercial and retail business to CF Bacchus Holdings Limited, a vehicle controlled by funds managed by Fortress Investment Group, in a deal worth around £95m. A separate sale of one freehold property previously owned by MWWL to an independent third…

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Westfield’s UK net rental income down 3.1% amid Brexit ‘uncertainty’

Shopping centre giant Westfield has reported a 3.1% decrease in net rental income for its UK operations, covering the half year period ending 31 July. In the trade update, the landlord conglomerate said vacancy stood at 8.7%, primarily driven by some non-renewals,the impact of retailer bankruptcies, and the delays in…

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The changing face of the retail car park

Over the next decade we will see a seismic shift in the way we travel from A-B. Widespread automation, together with electrification and the increased connectivity of transport and society will not only shake-up the automotive industry, but it will also bring the imminent need for change. Driven by government…

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Zalando raises profit forecast amid ‘strongest ever’ Q2

Online retailer Zalando has raised its profit outlook for the second half of the year after it recorded its “strongest ever” Q2 for active customer growth. The company revealed its number of active customers “grew significantly” by 3.7 million (15.2%) year-over-year to 28.3 million across its 17 European markets. In…

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Intu reports 7% drop in rental income amid ‘challenging’ first half

Shopping centre owner Intu has reported a 7.7% decrease in net rental income during a “challenging” first half of the year and said it expects a similar result for the rest of 2019. During the first six months of the year ending 30 June its rental income fell to £205.2m…

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Getting PSD2’s new SCA requirements right

That brief sigh of relief you heard was from European retailers welcoming the EBA’s admission that additional time may be needed to comply with the new Secure Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements under PSD2 that are planned to take effect on 14th September. The breathing space is all well and good,…

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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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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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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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