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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Mar- 2023 -14 MarchEconomy
Retail jobs at lowest four quarter average in over a decade
The number of retail jobs in the UK was down to its lowest average four quarter level in over a decade, according to ONS Labour Market figures. The four quarter average dropped to 3.05 million retail jobs in December 2022, down from 3.08 million in December 2021. The overall number…
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10 MarchEconomy
UK GDP grows by 0.3% in January
Monthly gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by a narrow 0.3% in January, with a faster recovery than expected, according to the latest figures released by ONS on Friday. The news comes after economists predicted the UK could go into recession, considering that in the three months…
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8 MarchHigh Street
Hotel Chocolat revenues and profit tumble in H1
Hotel Chocolat has reported a fall in revenues in the half-year ended 25 December 2022, falling from £142m last year to £129m, with its underlying PBT dropping to £10.2m in H1 from £25.4m in the same period last year. In addition, the retailer also reported that its underlying operating profit…
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1 MarchHigh Street
B&M announces store reshuffle
Discount retailer B&M has announced that it is closing a number of stores over the next few weeks not for financial reasons but as part of a reshuffle of its store estate According to The Mirror, the closures are due to some stores moving to bigger sites or other external…
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Feb- 2023 -17 FebruaryNews
UK retail sales unexpectedly rise due to January discounts
Retail sales volumes in the UK are estimated to have increased by 0.5% in January 2023, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Price rises and the cost of living crisis had seen retail sales drop 1.2% in December 2022 but post-Christmas discounts and increased fuel sales…
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13 FebruaryHigh Street
Paperchase unsecured creditors left with £20m bill
Paperchase’s unsecured creditors have been stuck with a £20m bill from its period in administration, according to The Times, after the company collapsed for the second time. The stationary retailer’s creditors have been notified that they will be receiving dividends of 2.52% from the sale of assets that has been…
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10 FebruaryHigh Street
Watches of Switzerland falls short of expectations amid Christmas strikes
Watches of Switzerland has reported that its revenues increased 17% to £407m in the 13 weeks to January 29 this year, narrowly falling short of analysts’ consensus expectations of £425m. The company said its lower than expected sales growth was because of rail and postal strikes over Christmas and general…
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9 FebruaryAdvice
Five factors driving purchase behaviour in the current climate
The last few years have seen a series of unprecedented events that have created a new paradigm where consumer expectations and needs have been radically redefined. In this new world, retailers need to respond with a new approach in tune with our changed times. So how did we get here?…
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7 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Crew Clothing to open 40 brick-and-mortar stores by 2025
Crew Clothing has plans to open 40 new brick-and-mortar stores by 2025 across market towns and coastal resorts in the UK, according to The Times. The group’s decision to expand its portfolio of in-person stores comes as it recovered post-pandemic, as it revealed that online and store sales both increased…
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7 FebruaryEconomy
Jan retail sales rise 4.2% but fall YOY
Total retail sales in the UK rose 4.2% in January, a marked drop off when compared with the same period in 2022 when sales rose 11.9%, according to the latest data from the BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor. The 4.2% increase is below the three month rolling average of 5.2% but…
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