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- 2023 -18 DecemberHealth & Beauty
Boots to launch AI ‘personal shopper’
Boots has plans to launch a ChatGPT ‘personal shopper’ tool for its website with the aim of boosting online sales, The Telegraph has reported. The news comes as the beauty and pharmacy retailer is reportedly testing an AI chatbot, which will be able to make recommendations for lipsticks and beauty…
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15 DecemberEconomy
A quarter of UK adults to scale back Xmas meal, survey finds
A quarter of UK adults will be scaling back their Christmas meal this year due to the current financial pressures, with 12% – up to 19% of those aged between 25 and 34 – planning to offer fewer dishes than usual, according to a survey by Strat7 Researchbods. The survey,…
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15 DecemberEconomy
Consumer confidence improves during December
Consumer confidence improved two points during December to -22 as sentiment improved ahead of Christmas. All five measures were up in comparison to last month’s announcement. The index measuring changes in personal finances during the last year is up two points at -14; this is 14 points better than December…
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14 DecemberDIY
Piglet in Bed opens first store in Harrogate
The British bedding and lifestyle brand, Piglet in Bed, has opened its first store in Harrogate this December. The retailer, which is known for its 100% linen bedding and other natural homewares, has been running as an ecommerce-only business since it was founded in West Sussex in 2017. The store…
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13 DecemberNews
Shoppers to spend over £3bn in pre-Xmas ‘panic weekend’
The 16 and 17 December, so-called the ‘panic weekend’, will see shoppers spend £3.31bn as they rush to finish their Christmas shopping, according to a new report by VoucherCodes.co.uk. The report, which has looked into Christmas shopping habits in the build up to Christmas and Boxing Day, forecasts a “strong”…
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13 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Sosandar maintains FY guidance despite half-year loss
Sosandar has fallen to a pre-tax loss of £1.3m in its half-year results, down from a profit of £0.1m the prior year, but maintained its full-year outlook following strong autumn trading. The company saw revenues rise by 6% to £22.2m in the six months ended 30 September, with trading said…
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12 DecemberNews
Today’s news in brief-12/12/23
Fast-fashion giant Shein is reportedly exploring the possibility of an initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange. Chairman Donald Tangmet reportedly met with LSE executives in London to discuss the potential move. The talks are said to have focused on a UK listing, with Shein also considering raising…
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12 DecemberSupermarkets
Total till sales slow as shoppers save to spend £5bn on Xmas week
Total Till sales at UK supermarkets slowed +6.8% in the last four weeks ending 2 December 2023, according to new data released today by NIQ. NIQ said the slowdown in growth is due to shoppers prioritising saving and delaying spending to take advantage of seasonal promotions during the week of…
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11 DecemberNews
Today’s news in brief-11/12/23
November proved to be a challenging month for UK retailers, with Black Friday discounts failing to uplift sales, according to figures from accountancy firm BDO. Despite a positive start with a 4.7% increase in week one, like-for-like sales in November declined by 0.3% compared to the previous year. The fashion…
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11 DecemberSupermarkets
Asda lorry strikes could lead to Xmas food shortages, union warns
Asda may face food shortages over the festive period following strike action amongst its lorry drivers. It comes as Unite confirmed that around 80 HGV drivers, employed by Wincanton on an Asda contract, will strike over the Christmas period at the supermarket’s Rochdale operations hub. The union confirmed drivers will…
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