Brexit
This coverage examines the impact of Brexit on the UK retail sector, with reporting on trade agreements, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, labour market changes, and regulatory adjustments. Insights are tailored to retail managers and executives assessing how post-Brexit developments shape operations, costs, and strategic planning within the industry.
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Jan- 2019 -29 JanuaryAnalysis
The UK’s high street woes
There are few sectors where the effects of the faltering UK economy have been more starkly visible than the retail sector. It seems that every day the media presents another story about a high street name facing financial difficulty. There are a multitude of factors playing into the softening consumer…
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25 JanuaryHigh Street
Bonmarché sales slide 11.1% over Christmas
Fashion retailer Bonmarché has reported a 11.1% drop in like-for-like sales over the Christmas trading period, ending 29 December 2018. Total sales declined by 8.1% during the period, however the group recorded a 22.2% increase in online sales, although at a lower rate than in the first half of the…
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24 JanuaryEconomy
Retail spending bounces back in December despite ‘tough’ festive period
Retail spending bounced back in the UK in December 2018 after a tough November as GlobalData’s total retail index rose by 11.5 points versus the previous month. The company’s latest report ‘UK Monthly Spend Tracker – December’ revealed that despite improved spending in the month, many retailers started their sales…
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23 JanuaryOnline & Digital
December online retail sales growth hits ‘all-time low’
UK online retail sales growth hit an “all-time low” of just +3.6% year-on-year (YoY) in December 2018 after a tough Christmas trading period, according to the Capgemini IMRG eRetail Sales Index. According to the group, after online retail “defied” the downturn on the high street to record +16% (YoY) growth…
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22 JanuaryHigh Street
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…
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21 JanuaryComment
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…
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16 JanuaryEconomy
Build-A-Bear lowers UK trading expectations due to ‘significant’ Brexit challenges
Build-A-Bear has announced it has lowered its trading expectations for the UK due to “significant” challenges posed by uncertainty around Brexit. The retailer identified the EU’s GDPR laws as some of the factors causing uncertainty in its UK business. A statement by Build-A-Bear said its “sales decline will be largely…
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15 JanuaryGovernment
The Entertainer stockpiling toys for no-deal Brexit
Toy retailer, The Entertainer has announced it is stockpiling an extra 100 containers of toys in order to prepare for a no-deal Brexit. The Entertainer’s managing director Gary Grant said the stockpiling meant that the toy retailer had sent double the usual amount of stock to the UK, to ensure…
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15 JanuaryEntertainment
Games Workshop delivers strong half-year results
Fantasy miniatures retailer Games Workshop has reported a sales increase of 14% to £125.2m in its half-year results, covering the six month period to 2 December 2018. On a constant currency basis sales were up by 13% from £109.6m to £124m, compromised of retail £42.3m (2017: £39.6m), trade £60.7m (2017:…
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11 JanuarySupermarkets
Tesco and M&S stockpile tinned food in prep for Brexit
Tesco and Marks and Spencer have announced they are stockpiling long-life foods in preparation of a no-deal Brexit. The ‘big four’ grocer’s chief executive Dave Lewis revealed that “sensible” contingency planning was underway and the company had been holding talks with its suppliers about increasing stocks of long-life groceries. However…
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