Christmas
This coverage explores the critical Christmas trading period in the UK retail sector, focusing on sales performance, promotional strategies, consumer trends, supply chain planning, and operational challenges. Reporting highlights how retailers prepare for and execute peak season campaigns to maximise revenue and manage demand. Designed for executives and managers, it provides insights into effective planning and competitive positioning during the festive season.
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Dec- 2025 -2 DecemberEconomy
Early Black Friday discounting slows shop price inflation to 0.6%
Shop price inflation fell to 0.6% in November, down from 1.0% in October, as retailers launched Black Friday discounting earlier than usual. Non-food prices declined by 0.6% year on year, compared with a fall of 0.4% in October. Food inflation eased to 3.0%, from 3.7% a month earlier. Fresh food…
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Nov- 2025 -28 NovemberShopping Centres
Retail Trust launches campaign urging respect for shop workers
The Retail Trust has launched a national campaign calling on shoppers to show greater respect to retail staff in the run-up to Christmas, following new research indicating rising levels of abuse towards shop workers. As part of its Let’s Respect Retail campaign, Smiles of respect will light up big screens…
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26 NovemberHigh Street
West End footfall set for strongest year since 2020, HOLBA finds
London’s West End is on track for its busiest year of footfall since 2020, according to a report from Heart of London Business Alliance (HOLBA) and property firm Colliers, following a sharp rise in visitors through October. Visitor numbers in October were up 16% on the same month last year…
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25 NovemberSupermarkets
Co-op to open record 11 stores in one week
Co-op has announced that it is set to open 11 stores this week (24 November), a record for the supermarket. The move is part of the retailer’s investment in more than 200 new and transformed stores over 2024/25, and among the 50 stores Co-op has confirmed will open this November…
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20 NovemberHigh Street
Half of retail workers report workplace conflict, Acas says
Half of working-age adults employed in Britain’s retail and wholesale sector experienced conflict at work during the past year, according to new data from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas). The organisation reported a 50% conflict rate in the sector, compared with a 44% national figure. Administrative and support…
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19 NovemberLuxury Goods
Mulberry HY losses narrow as full-price sales lift margins
Mulberry Group has reported that its losses before tax narrowed, from £15.3m to £7.4m, in the 26-week period to 27 September, as the luxury brand pushed ahead with its turnaround strategy and tightened control of costs. The group also maintains that trading remained in line with board expectations during the…
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18 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Quiz LFL sales rise 6% after launch of partywear range
Quiz has reported a 6% rise in like-for-like sales after introducing what it described as its largest partywear collection. The 250-piece womenswear range, launched at the end of October, has given the Scottish-based retailer what it said was a “strong start” to the Christmas trading period. The range includes 200…
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17 NovemberComment
Is your proof of delivery fit for today’s shopper?
A £500 games console, the weekly groceries or a repeat prescription from the chemist. Whatever the item is, today’s consumers are monitoring packages in real time, with eagle-eyed attention and rising expectations that delivery will be smooth and hassle-free. When parcels are now going from checkout to doorstep in hours,…
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12 NovemberHigh Street
82% of shoppers to use promotions this Christmas, says Blackhawk
Over 80% of shoppers across Europe are planning to use price promotions such as buy one get one free to save money this Christmas, according to a survey from Blackhawk Network. Furthermore, nearly half (47%) also expect to use ‘buy now, pay later’ or earn-a-gift-card incentives, signalling that value added…
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12 NovemberHigh Street
Toy sales rise for first time since Covid as adult collectors boost market
The UK toy market has grown for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new data from market analyst Circana, as rising demand from adult collectors and strong sales of building sets helped lift the sector. Toy sales reached £3.9bn in the 12 months to August 2025, up…
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