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- 2024 -18 JanuaryDIY
Dunelm sees sales rise to £872m in H1
Dunelm has reported strong sales growth in the first half of the year, with total sales increasing by 4.5% to £872m for the 26-week period ended 30 December 2023. It also recorded continued sales growth in Q2 in a challenging market, with total sales increasing by 1.0%. Its gross margin…
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18 JanuaryHigh Street
The Works losses widen to £7.8m amid ‘challenging’ market conditions
The Works has fallen to a pre-tax loss of £7.8m in its half-year results, following a period of “persistently challenging” market conditions. In the half-year ended 29 October, the retailer reported a pre-IFRS 16 adjusted EBITDA loss of £8.5m, widening from a loss of £6.4m the prior year. However, it…
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17 JanuaryNews
Today’s news in brief-17/1/24
In a surprising turn of events, inflation in December exceeded economists’ predictions, rising to 4%, contrary to the forecasted decrease to 3.8%. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that the upswing was driven by increases in fuel and tobacco prices. Notably, alcohol and tobacco division prices surged by 12.8%,…
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17 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Mulberry revenue falls 8.4% amid luxury spending slowdown
Mulberry has revealed that its group revenue dropped 8.4% for the 13 weeks ended 30 December 2023. The company stated that this was impacted by the challenging macroeconomic backdrop and decline in luxury consumer spending. Mulberry also revealed that in the run up to Christmas it maintained its full price…
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17 JanuaryNews
Superdry hires PwC to explore debt options
Superdry is believed to have appointed accountancy firm PwC to explore its debt options, Sky News has revealed. The clothing retailer is supposedly working with advisers from the firm to review the funding options following a pre-Christmas profit warning. The news comes after Superdry reported YoY sales decrease of 13.1%…
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16 JanuaryNews
Today’s news in brief-16/1/24
Card Factory reported a 10% increase in total sales for the 11 months ending December 2023, reaching £476.9m, driven by robust Christmas trading. The like-for-like (LFL) store revenue surged 7.8% in November and December, attributed to increased transactions and higher average basket values. The Store Evolution Programme positively impacted space…
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16 JanuaryHigh Street
Card Factory hails strong Christmas trading
Card Factory has revealed total sales for the 11 months ended 31 December 2023 increased 10% to £476.9m after it was boosted by strong Christmas trading. The card retailer said that LFL store revenue jumped 7.8% in November and December, driven by the increased number of transactions and increased average…
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16 JanuarySupermarkets
Ocado returns to earnings growth as sales soar
Ocado has returned to positive earnings in its full-year results after sales soared over the year, in part boosted by a “record” Christmas for the group. While full-year retail revenues rose by 7% to £2.35bn, sales in the final quarter of the year soared by 10.9% to £609.4m, marking a…
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16 JanuaryHealth & Beauty
Superdrug sales rise 9.2% in December
Superdrug has experienced a strong Christmas trading period, as total sales rose 9.2% in the four weeks ended 30 December and like-for-like sales rose 7.1%. The retailer attributed its continued focus on its online and in-store offering, as well as investment in providing “high performance” products at an affordable price. …
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15 JanuaryFeatures
Which supermarkets performed the best over Christmas?
According to data from Kantar, Britons made 488 million trips to the supermarkets over the Christmas period, marked out as the four weeks ended 24 December. That number is 12 million more than last year and the largest Christmas period since 2019. This was mildly surprising in a year that…
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