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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Jan- 2025 -14 JanuaryNews
The Very Group sales rise 2.3% in run-up to Christmas
The Very Group retail sales rose 2.3% year-on-year during the seven weeks to 27 December 2024. Excluding Nike, Very UK and Group retail sales grew by 4.5% and 2.8% year-on-year respectively. Across this period, the home and beauty category jumped 15% YoY, toys, gifts and beauty increased 7.3%, meanwhile fashion…
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14 JanuaryHigh Street
Card Factory revenues rise 4.7% over Xmas period
Card Factory has revealed that total revenues rose by 4.7% in line with expectations in November and December, thanks to higher average basket values due to expanded ranges and sales of gifts and celebration essentials. For the 11 months to 31 December 2024, the retailer saw total sales rise 6.2%…
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14 JanuaryOnline & Digital
Ocado retail revenues rise 17% amid boost in active customers
Ocado has revealed that its retail revenue rose 17.5% to £715.8m for the 13 weeks ended 1 December 2024. Alongside this, the joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S revealed that its active customers rose 12.1% to 1.12m. Ocado stated that it delivered another record-breaking Christmas, with its highest ever…
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14 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
JD Sports lowers FY guidance after ‘challenging’ winter
JD Sports has lowered its full-year guidance after it struggled with a “challenging and volatile” market over the Christmas period. The group now expects full-year profits to be between £915m and £935m, down from previous expectations of £955m to £1bn. It comes as like-for-like sales in the nine weeks to…
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13 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-13/1/25
Asda announced a significant overhaul of its operations, cutting 13 regional manager roles and consolidating management of supermarkets and express stores into 22 sub-regions from 30. The changes, driven by poor Christmas performance with a 5.8% drop in sales and a decline in market share to 12.5%, mark Allan Leighton’s…
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13 JanuaryHigh Street
Majestic hails successful festive sales performance
Majestic has reported a 1.9% rise in total sales during the six-week period to 30 December 2024, beating its previous record for Christmas sales set a year prior. The wine retailer’s performance was boosted by the opening of seven new stores during 2024 and the “strong” growth of its specialist…
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13 JanuarySupermarkets
Asda axes regional manager roles in latest restructuring
Asda’s new chairman, Allan Leighton, has reportedly told staff that multiple regional manager roles will be axed in a bid to overhaul the business, after the group suffered poor sales over the Christmas period. According to The Telegraph, 13 regional manager roles will be cut as part of the restructuring…
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10 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-10/1/25
Shein is reportedly planning a London IPO by mid-2025, with Easter 20 April as a possible completion date if regulatory approval is secured. Rachel Reeves, UK Shadow Chancellor, is visiting China for economic talks, accompanied by Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority head, potentially advancing Shein’s IPO progress. Meanwhile, scrutiny from MPs…
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10 JanuaryNews
Silverburn shopping destination reaches ‘record-breaking’ footfall in 2024
Silverburn, Glasgow’s leading retail and leisure destination, has announced a “record-breaking year”, welcoming 15.2 million visitors in 2024, marking a 2.4% increase in foot traffic in December alone. This growth comes as Silverburn confirms the signing of several new retail and leisure brands, set to occupy over 100,000 sq. ft.…
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10 JanuarySupermarkets
Sainsbury’s to raise staff pay after Christmas sales increase
Sainsbury’s has announced that it is set to increase staff pay after it saw its sales rise 3.7% for the 16 weeks ended 4 January 2025. Alongside this, Sainsbury’s saw its festive period sales rise 3.8% in the 6 weeks ended 4 January. As a result, the supermarket will split…
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