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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Feb- 2021 -8 FebruaryHigh Street
Retail sales fall 10% in January
Total like-for-like retail sales declined by 10% in January as both the national lockdown and impact of Covid-19 affected shops across England, according to BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker. It found that lifestyle total like-for-like sales fell to 16.7% in January. This month’s result reportedly marked “the worst” since June…
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5 FebruaryAdvice
Two common AI powered frauds – and what you can do to stop them
When put to use for good, automation and artificial intelligence provide powerful ways to help businesses become more efficient and more powerful. Smart machines, for instance, are paving the way for significant growth in the retail sector. But with that potential comes risk. For the very same reasons businesses are…
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1 FebruaryCoronavirus
New lockdowns edge consumer confidence to near-record low
The final quarter of 2020 saw consumer confidence fall by 1%, to a near-record low -17%, according to the latest Deloitte Consumer Tracker. It found with the exception of personal finances, all other measures of confidence were below year-on-year comparisons, with ‘health and wellbeing’, and ‘children’s education and welfare’ categories…
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Jan- 2021 -27 JanuaryHigh Street
Paperchase rescued in pre-pack Permira deal
The majority of Paperchase stores are reportedly set to be rescued in a pre-pack deal that is poised to save around 1,000 jobs. According to Sky News, the rescue deal will be led by private equity giant Permira, with a deal expected to be agreed later today (27 January). Permira,…
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26 JanuaryAnalysis
The new front door to welcoming customers
The pandemic has hit retailers hard, with well-known brands already falling victim to the severe impact of lockdown. Coronavirus restrictions have forced retailers of all shapes and sizes to shift priority to digital channels, ensure customer services can operate remotely, and make necessary adjustments to protect shoppers in-store. The ability…
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25 JanuaryBusiness Bites
Five retailers who excelled during the Christmas season
Asos Asos has gone from strength to strength in the past few years with this year being no different. Over the peak festive season it saw its sales increase by 23% to £1.32bn from £1.074bn the previous year, which the group claimed was due to support by investors who…
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25 JanuaryOnline & Digital
Feelunique sales soar in golden quarter
Online beauty retailer Feelunique has welcomed a period of “strong” trading during its golden quarter, with sales soaring by 39% to £28m in the 12 weeks ended 3 January 2021. This growth was attributed to ongoing investments in its e-commerce platform, alongside “soaring” marketplace demand, with active customers up by…
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22 JanuaryCoronavirus
Retail sales fall to lowest ever annual level
The retail sector has suffered its largest annual fall since records began, with total sales down 1.9% against the year prior, as restrictions on non-essential retail continued to impact the sector as a whole. This was the biggest decline since records began in 1997, according to the ONS. After declines…
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22 JanuaryDepartment Stores
John Lewis repays £300m to the Treasury early
John Lewis has announced it has repaid £300m early to the Treasury and the Bank of England Covid Corporate Financing Facility, which was due for repayment on 15 March 2021. The retailer was hit heavily by the impact of Covid-19 and store closures for several months, however the Partnership believes…
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22 JanuaryHigh Street
The Works reports revenue decline of 7.8%
The Works has reported a revenue decline of 7.8% to £88.9m in the 26 weeks to 25 October. The stationery and book retailer posted a pre-tax loss of £4.3m over the period, which was down from a loss of £8.5m in the same period the previous year. Trading was impacted…
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