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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Nov- 2020 -3 NovemberEconomy
Half-term sees footfall rise 6.2%
Footfall rose by 6.2% during half-term in the UK, according to the latest data from retail experts Springboard. This is despite a 53.7% footfall decrease in Wales, following the country’s two-week ‘firebreak’ lockdown. Retail park, high street and shopping centre rose by 3.5%, 5.2% and 11% over the period, respectively.…
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2 NovemberHigh Street
Christmas footfall predicted to drop by 62%
Christmas footfall over the six weeks from Sunday 22 November to Saturday 26 December across all UK retail destinations will be down by 62%, according to the latest estimates from Springboard. The data analysts said the new national lockdown restrictions will see retailers miss out on the start of “essential”…
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2 NovemberDepartment Stores
John Lewis Partnership launches charity Christmas campaign
John Lewis and Waitrose have announced the launch of a “major campaign” next month which will provide a “lifeline” for at least 100,000 families. The initiative will support the charities Fare Share, which helps those facing food poverty and Home-Start which works with parents who need support. The campaign will…
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Oct- 2020 -30 OctoberNews
Waitrose to hire 1,850 extra Christmas staff
Waitrose has announced it will be recruiting nearly 1,850 additional drivers and pickers for its online delivery service during the busy Christmas season. The combination of both temporary and permanent roles will reportedly help meet the expected “surge” in customer demand for the Waitrose.com service. The positions will cover both…
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28 OctoberEconomy
Retail sales drop at sharpest pace since June
Retail sales figures in the UK have fallen at the sharpest pace since June, according to the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) latest monthly Distributive Trades Survey. In the survey of 116 firms, including 54 retailers, non-food retail categories such as department and clothing were among those reporting falling sales.…
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28 OctoberOnline & Digital
Notonthehighstreet mulls £200m sale
Notonthehighstreet is reportedly eyeing a £200m sale after its revenues “surged” during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Sky News. The online gifts retailer is reportedly working alongside investment bank Evercore on a potential auction, and sources told Sky that a “number” of trade bidders and private equity groups have so…
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28 OctoberComment
How temporary workers could make the difference to Covid-19 workforce planning
Today, on average just one in six firms (15%) rely on a flexible workforce; with 1.5 million temporary employees working in the UK today. In comparison, eight in 10 (80%) retail businesses have hired more agency workers during COVID-19, as unpredictable demand forces brands to re-think their staffing strategies and…
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23 OctoberEconomy
UK retail sales grow for fifth month in a row
Retail sales in the UK have risen for the fifth consecutive month, despite the introduction of the tiered lockdown system, according to the latest figures released by the ONS. Last month, overall growth in sales volume was up 5.5% compared with February’s pre-pandemic levels. In the three months to the…
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22 OctoberOnline & Digital
Gear4music full-year results to be ‘ahead of expectations’
Gear4music has revealed its full year results will likely be ahead of expectations after it experienced strong sales growth in its first and second quarters. The online musical instrument retailer saw its total sales rise 42% to £70.2m in the six months to 30 September, after UK sales increased by…
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9 OctoberHigh Street
Retailers record best monthly in-store sales since February
High street sales in September recorded the best monthly in-store results since before Covid-19 began in February, according to new figures. BDO, an accountancy and business advisory firm, said sales at the beginning of September were the second-best weekly total since early March. Sales rose by 65.1% in September compared…
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