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- 2021 -17 DecemberComment
Why 2022 will be a defining year for UK retail
Retailers are coming out of what has been another challenging year but are undoubtedly now optimistic and looking forward to a prosperous festive season. Early reports paint a positive picture with ONS data showing an 0.8% rise in total sales volume in October, and GfK revealing that consumer confidence is…
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16 DecemberSupermarkets
Tesco turns to refrigerated rail service to slash CO2 emissions
Tesco has announced it will begin to use a refrigerated rail freight service to transport goods across the UK over the festive season. The new rail service marks the first time Tesco has used refrigerated rail freight in the UK. It will be operated by Direct Rail Services (DRS), who…
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16 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Shoe Zone opens new Southampton Store
Footwear retailer Shoe Zone has announced the opening of a new store in Southampton this winter. The store, located on 69 Above Bar Street, Southampton, opened its doors on 13 December. The new store will be running a selection of promotions and will stock popular brands such as Skechers, Lotus,…
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15 DecemberComment
Delivering what matters to consumers in the run up to Christmas
Christmas is a pivotal period for retailers. It can be the most demanding and important time to capitalise on seasonal demand. According to PwC, one in four consumers intends to spend more this festive season, with a total spend on presents and celebrations predicted to be around £21 billion. 2021’s…
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15 DecemberSupermarkets
Tesco avoids Usdaw strike action with new pay deal
Tesco has agreed a pay deal with Usdaw to avert strike action at nine of its distribution centres in the run up to Christmas. Prior to the new agreement, action would have seen Usdaw workers at the distribution centres walk out during the week leading up to Christmas Eve. Instead,…
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15 DecemberHigh Street
Casa di Moda sets greenhouse gas reduction target
Fashion retail house Casa di Moda has announced it has set targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 60% over the 10-year period of 2019 – 2028. The renewed climate commitment comes after the fashion brand spoke at the COP26 conference last year. Brunello Cucinelli, executive chairman and creative…
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15 DecemberComment
How e-commerce managers can prevent website overload this holiday season
Retailers remain at the coal face of digital innovation – after all, it was retail e-commerce sites such as Amazon that literally revolutionised the world. Christmas 2020, largely locked down in most parts of the world, offered the pinnacle of online trading conditions. This season, whether it be the convenience…
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14 DecemberSupermarkets
Brits set to spend £6.8bn on groceries in next two weeks
British shoppers are set to spend £6.8bn at UK supermarkets in the next two weeks leading up to Christmas Eve, up from £6.7bn in 2020, according to new data by NielsenIQ. Data from NielsenIQ reveals that Total Till grocery sales fell 2.5% in the last four weeks ending 4 December.…
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14 DecemberNews
Footfall slows as impact of Plan B begins to show
Overall, footfall across UK retail destinations declined by -1.1% last week, wholly driven by a -2.7% drop in activity in high streets, according to Springboard. It said that although Plan B restrictions had not yet come fully into force, the first effects were already being felt last week with a…
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13 DecemberOnline & Digital
Online sales plummet in November
Online retail sales recorded their lowest ever growth in the month of November – falling by 19.8% Year-on-Year (YoY), according to the latest IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index. While this does compare to a strong November 2020 (36.2%), the Month-on-Month (MoM) figures were equally negative – showing a rise of…
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