France
This coverage focuses on retail developments in France that are relevant to UK retail professionals, highlighting market trends, store openings and closures, cross-border strategies, leadership moves, and regulatory changes. Reporting provides insights into how French retail dynamics influence and intersect with UK businesses, supporting managers and executives monitoring international opportunities and challenges.
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Jun- 2020 -11 JuneCoronavirus
B&M hails year of ‘solid growth’ despite pandemic
B&M has revealed that group revenue increased by 16.5% to £3,813.4m in the full-year ended 28 March, despite the effects of the ongoing pandemic. In the same period, its UK business delivered “strong trading”, with revenue up by 12.6% in the period. This included a like-for-like growth of 3.3% for…
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8 JuneComment
Retaining the value of stock in a circular economy
The equivalent to 350,000 tonnes of clothing, worth around £140 million, ends up in UK landfill each year, according to Clothes Aid. More consumers and retailers have come to realise the significant impact of unsustainable business on the environment, creating a momentous change and a huge growth in the circular…
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May- 2020 -29 MayCoronavirus
Eve Sleep reports revenues ‘in line’ with expectations
Eve Sleep has reported its group revenues have been “in line with expectations” for the four months ended 30 April, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. In the period to 30 April, the retailer reported net cash of £7.5m compared with £8m in its previous update (31 December 2019). Eve Sleep said…
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27 MayPeople Moves
Hammerson CEO David Atkins to step down
Shopping centre owner Hammerson has announced that its CEO, David Atkins, has decided to step down from his role. Atkins will remain in position until spring 2021 at the latest, while the board searches for his successor. Atkins joined the company in 1998 and was appointed as CEO in 2009.…
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18 MayCoronavirus
Nike warns on subdued Q4 results amid Covid-19 lockdown
Sport fashion retailer Nike has warned this its fourth quarter sales will be impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown. Since mid-March, the vast majority of Nike-owned and wholesale partner stores outside Greater China and South Korea have been completely closed in order to protect the health and safety of staff and…
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12 MayDIY
Kingfisher sales drop 25% in Q1 results
B&Q and Screwfix owner B&Q has revealed its first quarter sales fell by 24.8% to £2.2bn as the impact of the coronavirus hit its core markets of UK, Ireland and France. Kingfisher said it saw UK and Ireland sales fall 14.7% to £1.09bn, with B&Q sales plummeting 22.1% to £663m.…
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Apr- 2020 -27 AprilBusiness Bites
Lockdown to persist says Johnson, clergy weigh in on behaviour of corona-corporations
The PM is back at his desk and says the lockdown must continue for the foreseeable future, and it would be premature to consider lifting now. After having been struck down with COVID-19 himself – and ending up in intensive care – the premier has finally convalesced and spoke from…
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24 AprilBusiness Bites
Retail landlords reined in, France gets touch on tax havens, and insurers face biggest ever payouts
The government has banned landlords from using winding-up orders against their retail tenants, after aggressive rent collection tactics which threaten the future of retail businesses came to light. Tens of thousands of businesses in both retail and hospitality have found themselves unable to keep up with their rent during the…
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Mar- 2020 -17 MarchClothing & Shoes
H&M sales increase despite being ‘negatively impacted’ by Covid-19
Fashion retailer H&M has reported a rise in sales in its first-quarter results, despite being “negatively impacted” by the outbreak of Covid-19. For the period ended 1 December 2019, H&M reported an 8% increase in net sales to SEK 54,988m (£46,609m) compared with £51m in the year prior. H&M said…
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16 MarchClothing & Shoes
Primark owner shares dive after it warns of coronavirus impact
Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF Foods) has seen its shares dive in early trading after it announced that the closure of its European stores due to coronavirus could leave a hole of £190m in sales. Shares in the company dropped by 100% this morning (16 March) to £0.01p per…
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