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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Apr- 2019 -17 AprilFeatures
Google it, Uber it, Laybuy it
New Zealand’s largest buy now, pay later service, Laybuy has officially launched in the UK with footwear retailer Footasylum confirmed as its first major retail partner. Laybuy allows consumers to spread the cost of purchases over six interest-free payments, with the first being made at the point of sale. The…
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16 AprilAnalysis
The future of wireless retail technology
Digital transformation, although a term thrown around a lot within all industries, refers to changes made to business models in order to keep up with changing consumer behaviours. This comes as a reaction to digital developments across the board that means businesses can streamline processes, to provide a more effective,…
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15 AprilLuxury Goods
Harvey’s scolded over delivery claims
Furniture retailer, Harvey’s has been reprimanded by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over claims of “guaranteed Christmas delivery”. A complainant questioned whether the claims, which were followed by the words “selected items only” in smaller text, were “misleading” and could be substantiated. In response to the claims Harvey’s said it…
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11 AprilHigh Street
US deal puts dent in WHSmith profits
WHSmith’s profit before tax dropped by 21% to £65m, following the retailer’s acquisition of American airport store In Motion for £155m late last year. According to its interim results for the six months ended 28 February 2019, excluding In Motion, its travel revenue saw its profit rise 7% to £44m…
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9 AprilAnalysis
The ultimate guide to creating a positive CX for mobile
Customer experience (CX) has the power to shape a consumer’s perception of your brand, with research showing that a positive customer experience can have a huge impact in terms of brand loyalty, conversion rates and sales. For this reason, creating a positive CX – by providing customers with an enjoyable…
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9 AprilDepartment Stores
Debenhams enters pre-pack administration
Debenhams has entered pre-pack administration and gone into the control of its lenders following the department store’s rejection of Sports Direct’s offer to underwrite £150m equity issuance. The pre-pack administration will see all of the company’s shareholders – including Sports Direct which has a 30% stake – wiped out and…
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Mar- 2019 -27 MarchAdvice
Three marketing principles for challenging retail conditions
It’s a great time for putting the boot into retail in the UK. With sales growth down year-on-year and 85,000 job losses across the sector, negativity is on-trend. Much of this pressure is being felt by high street retailers: increasing overheads and declining consumer confidence have led to a situation…
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8 MarchEconomy
Worst February in a decade for retailers, says BDO
High street retailers suffered the worst February in a decade for in-store sales, according to figures from BDO’s latest High Street Sales Tracker (HSST). According to the accountancy and business advisory firm, in-store like-for-like sales dropped -3.7% this month from a “poor base of” -1.6% for February last year. Additionally,…
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7 MarchAdvice
Are retailers too focused on Christmas advertising?
Now we are almost a quarter of our way into 2019, it’s interesting to look back at retailers’ advertising techniques from the festive season. Nowadays, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the anticipated launch of retailers’ blockbuster ads – for 2018, John Lewis collaborated with Elton John and Sainsbury’s aired a…
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5 MarchComment
What will a no-deal Brexit mean for retail?
We’re now just one month away until Britain leaves the European Union and we appear no closer to knowing whether we’ll be departing with a deal or without one. One sector which is set to bear the brunt if we leave without a deal is retail. In a report by…
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