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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Sep- 2022 -16 SeptemberEconomy
Retail sales fall 1.6% in August as cost of living begins to bite
Retail sales fell by 1.6% in August this year, due to rising prices and cost of living which are affecting sales volumes, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). All main sectors, food stores, non-food stores, non-store retailing and fuel, fell over the month; which happened in July 2021,…
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15 SeptemberDepartment Stores
John Lewis swings to H1 loss of £99m
John Lewis has swung to a loss of £99m for the first half of 2022 (H1 FY22) which it attributed to a reduction in customer spending and an increase in inflation-induced costs, which have not fully been passed onto customers. Overall, Waitrose sales dropped 5% year-on-year to £3.6bn for the…
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13 SeptemberSponsored Articles
The Golden Quarter: Planning for profit with intelligent merchandising
16 September marks the 100-day countdown to Christmas, also known as the Golden Quarter; the busiest period in the retail calendar. The Golden Quarter can be a difficult time for retail businesses, but this year, of all years, will be a real challenge. The cost-of-living crisis continued disruption to supply…
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12 SeptemberHigh Street
Wilko restructures rent payments ahead of Christmas
The discount retailer, Wilko, is reportedly making changes to its rent payment schedule, according to The Sunday Times, as the brand looks to “conserve cash” in the run-up to Christmas. The news comes as retailers are experiencing unprecedented cost pressures, with Wilko citing supply-chain volatility and inflation as major concerns.…
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8 SeptemberComment
Why supply chain resilience is critical to retail survival
Between product and material shortages, soaring shipping costs and ongoing inflation, retailers are currently battling a number of supply chain challenges that may cripple their profitability, and overall business, if left unchecked. Indeed, recent research from Brightpearl suggests that more than a quarter of retailers (26%) may be just four weeks from going bust…
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1 SeptemberSupermarkets
Sainsbury’s to invest £65m to help ease cost-of-living crisis
Sainsbury’s has announced the launch of its biggest ever September value offer, spending £65m across the business to “help ease the growing pressure customers are feeling from the rising cost of living”. Some £60m will be invested throughout autumn in food and grocery via its Sainsbury’s quality, Aldi price match…
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1 SeptemberDepartment Stores
John Lewis to offer free staff meals as it recruits 10,000 seasonal workers
The John Lewis Partnership has revealed its plans to recruit more than 10,000 temporary roles across the country this Christmas, as well as plans to offer free food to all partners and temporary workers from 3 October to 6 January to help with the cost of living. It is reported…
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Aug- 2022 -25 AugustClothing & Shoes
Brits to have more considered Christmas as inflation bites, says eBay
The impact of inflation means consumers will be prioritising value for money and thoughtful gifting this festive season, according to the eBay Ads UK’s latest Christmas Spend Trends research report. The research, which surveyed 2,010 UK consumers who celebrate Christmas, found that a third (32%) of consumers are planning to…
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25 AugustSupermarkets
Iceland’s debt rating downgraded as it falls to pre-tax loss
Iceland’s debt rating has been downgraded by Moody’s as its newly filed accounts showed Iceland Foods fell to a pre-tax loss of £4.1m for the 52-week period ended 25 March 2022, compared to a profit of £73.1m in the prior year. Sales dropped 4.3% from £3.7bn to £3.5bn year-on-year, compared…
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22 AugustSupply Chain
Felixstowe Port strike could lead to £700m hit to trade
The upcoming eight day strike at Felixstowe Port could disrupt trade worth up to £700m, experts have warned. According to The Times, experts have said that the strike – which includes 1,900 dockworkers, could disrupt supplies to the nation’s supermarkets and exports from firms from now until Christmas. The outlet…
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