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- 2020 -30 SeptemberOnline & Digital
Studio reveals strong autumn retail performance
Studio Retail Group has reported strong retail trading in the early weeks of its autumn season, with gifting and early Christmas ranges performing well. The company’s product sales have grown by 30% in the six weeks since the announcement of its full year results on 24 August. First half product…
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28 SeptemberCoronavirus
John Lewis launches new virtual Christmas shop for consumers
Earlier this month John Lewis announced a £635m pre-tax loss for the half-year period ended July 2020. The department store chain is allowing shoppers to ‘walk-through’ its flagship Oxford Circus store and see emerging trends for the Christmas period. John Lewis has also revealed that customers are shopping for Christmas…
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25 SeptemberCoronavirus
Thousands of ‘traditional’ retail jobs in danger, says Next boss
Next boss Simon Wolfson warned that thousands of “traditional” retail jobs are now in danger under the chancellor’s new “viability” focus. Speaking in an interview with BBC News’ business editor Simon Jack, Lord Wolfson said he did “not want to underestimate the difficulty” for “a lot of people who work…
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23 SeptemberClothing & Shoes
Joules welcomes ‘encouraging’ performance despite lower sales
Joules has announced that revenue performance was “ahead of expectations” at £39.6m in the 13 weeks ended 30 August 2020. Overall group revenue was down by 18% in the period, however, reflecting the impact of store closures, as well as the disruption seen across its wholesale business. While retail revenue…
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21 SeptemberComment
The window of opportunity for pop-ups
The Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent events of this year have exacerbated the ongoing decline of the British high street, with footfall falling by 81% in April and 48% in July, according to the British Retail Consortium. From John Lewis to Carphone Warehouse to House of Fraser, it seems that no…
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17 SeptemberCoronavirus
John Lewis scraps staff bonus amid £635m pre-tax loss
Department store chain John Lewis Partnership has slashed its staff bonus for the first time since 1953, aftering reporting a £635m pre-tax loss for the half-year period ended July 2020. As result, the Partnership board has confirmed that there will not be a bonus next year given its profit outlook.…
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16 SeptemberDepartment Stores
Nectar points given with Argos purchases for first time
Sainsbury’s has revealed that Nectar points will now be offered with Argos purchases for the first time ever. The supermarket chain, which acquired Argos in 2016, confirmed that Nectar card members will be able to earn points from purchasing Argos products and points will be doubled between 18 September and…
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14 SeptemberFeatures
Behind the headline figures: Four reasons for optimism for retailers
The latest retail figures are showing signs of real encouragement for retailers. Retail sales volumes rose a better-than-expected 3.6% in July and are now above pre-pandemic levels. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that sales rose 2% ahead of a 0.2% prediction by economists, and this was on…
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9 SeptemberNews
Iceland creates 3,000 jobs to meet online demand
Iceland has created 3,000 new jobs to cope with the extra demand for online shopping deliveries since the beginning of lockdown, according to the company. The supermarket chain has increased the number of delivery drivers and in-store staff for picking online orders in recent months. Online delivery orders have soared…
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Aug- 2020 -25 AugustOnline & Digital
Studio Retail Group profits rise in full-year results
The Studio Retail Group (SRG) has hailed a strong year of growth after posting a 3.9% increase in adjusted operating profits for the period ended 27 March 2020. Total group revenue increased by 2.2% to £514.8m during the year and core net debt reduced by £5.6m to £51.8m. Studio, SRG’s…
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