Year: 2019

Making faux-neon signs work for modern retailers

It’s no secret that bricks and mortar businesses need to do all they can to stand out in the modern retail landscape. But how they achieve this is becoming harder to grasp, as consumer shopping habits and industry trends are increasingly difficult to predict. Supplying innovative and high-quality products is…

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Primark HY profits surge 25%

Primark has seen its half-year operating profit jump 25% to £426m during the six months ending 2 March. Primark said the increase reflected “its continued selling space expansion and improved margins, which were driven not only by favourable exchange rates but also by better buying”. Sales at Primark were also…

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Boohoo revenues surge 48% in 2018

Online fashion retailer Boohoo has reported a 48% increase in revenues to £856.9m for the year ending 28 February 2019. Pre-tax profit also jumped 39% to £59.9m, and adjusted EBITDA increased to £84.5m, 9.9% of revenue, compared with the £56.9m reported the previous year. Additionally, its PrettyLittleThing and Nasty Gal…

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Majestic Wine could sell all UK stores as it moves online

Specialist wine retailer Majestic Wine could sell all 200 of its UK stores as the business prepares to move its operations online under the Naked Wines brand. The company has reportedly appointed investment bank Rothschild and Co to discuss options on a potential sale. Last month, the company announced its…

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British Land to sell its 12 Sainsbury’s stores for £429m

British Land has announced the sale of 12 superstores from its joint venture with Sainsbury’s to the Realty Income Corporation for a price of £429m. The company said its share of the proceeds totals £193.5m representing a “modest premium” to September 2018 book value. The move is the latest example…

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Adding a personal touch to online retail experiences

As the retail sector advances through the digital shift, consumers are demanding speed, convenience and value for money as part and parcel of their shopping experiences. As a result, retailers are faced with the ever-growing challenge of delivering on complex customer requirements, while also maintaining the personal connection that has…

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Hot weather increases high street footfall over Easter weekend

High street footfall over the Easter bank holiday weekend increased by 6.5% on Friday, 1.2% on Saturday and 8.4% by 12pm on Easter Monday, as a result of the hot and sunny weather. According to retail intelligence firm Springboard, the result is a “clear contrast” to Easter 2018, when poor…

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Asos and Zalando retail tycoon loses children in Sri Lanka attacks

Anders Holch Povlsen, a Danish billionaire with stakes in both Asos and Zalando, has lost three of his four children in the Sri Lanka bombing attacks. His family were visiting the country over the Easter break and a spokesman for Bestseller, the international clothes retailer chain Holch Povlsen owns, confirmed…

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Debenhams CEO exits

Sergio Bucher, CEO of department store Debenhams, has stepped down from his role just a week after the company went into administration and under the control of its lenders. His departure is expected to allow new leadership to conduct the restructure and turnaround of the business. Debenhams entered a pre-pack…

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Largest store for 25 years opens in Centre:MK

Centre:MK is set to open its largest store in 25 years with the opening of a 75,000 square foot Primark in the former site of BHS. The new store on Silbury Arcade opens a week after Primark opened its largest ever store in Birmingham. The new store at Centre:MK has…

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