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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Jan- 2019 -31 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Shop Direct consulting with 225 members of staff over job cuts
Shop Direct, the group which owns online retailers Very and Littlewoods, is in consultation with 225 members of staff over job cuts. The group plans to merge its businesses as part of a transformation strategy which will see teams for men’s and women’s fashion consolidated and its design team moved…
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30 JanuaryEconomy
January shop price inflation highest since 2013
Shop price inflation increased to 0.4% in January, up from 0.3% in December 2018 – the fourth consecutive month of price increases and the highest inflation rate since April 2013. According to the figures from the BRC-Nielsen shop price index, non-food deflation continued to decelerate, with prices falling by 0.3%…
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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 JanuaryElectrical
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…
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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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18 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Moodys lowers Debenhams and New Look ratings
Financial services firm Moodys has changed the outlook for both New Look and Debenhams from stable to negative amid both retailer’s current financial troubles. Debenhams posted a poor Christmas trading update and is currently holding discussions to refinance its £320m revolving credit facility. The department store reported a 3.4% drop…
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17 JanuaryHigh Street
Game reports Christmas sales growth amid ‘challenging trading climate’
Video game retailer Game has reported a 2% increase in life-for-like sales (LFL) for the seven week Christmas trading period ending 5 January 2019. LFL sales in the UK also increased by 1.1% for the 23 weeks to 5 January, and remained broadly flat over the Christmas period at -0.3%.…
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