High Street
This coverage explores the state and evolution of the UK high street, with reporting on store openings and closures, footfall trends, redevelopment projects, policy impacts, and changing consumer behaviour. Insights are designed to help retail managers and executives understand the challenges and opportunities shaping high street retail operations and strategy.
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Jan- 2024 -26 JanuaryHigh Street
WH Smith sees strong start to year as Travel sales rise
WH Smith has delivered a strong performance in the 20 weeks ended 20 January, with total revenues up by 8%, largely boosted by its Travel division. Across its global Travel divisions, the group welcomed continued momentum since the start of the financial year. In Travel UK, total revenue was up…
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Dec- 2023 -11 DecemberEconomy
Black Friday fails to rally shoppers during ‘bleak’ November, BDO finds
Significant discounts in the run up to Black Friday failed to rally UK shoppers, resulting in “another disappointing month” for retailers, according to new figures released today by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO. According to its High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales in November fell by 0.3%…
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4 DecemberElectrical
EE boss vows to take on Amazon and Currys
EE boss Marc Allera is planning to take on Amazon and Currys in a bid to become one of the UK’s biggest sellers of electrical goods, according to This is Money. According to the outlet, Allera stated that he wants customers to make purchases “every day and every week”. His…
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4 DecemberHigh Street
Lush CEO blames govt for high street decline
Lush CEO Mark Constantine has attributed the decline of the high street to the Conservative government’s decision to cut council finances, The Times has reported. Constantine told The Times that high streets in Britain are “deserted” due to more local councils being pushed into a state of bankruptcy by a…
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1 DecemberNews
Today’s news in brief- 1/11/23
Matthew Moulding, the founder of THG, has acquired a 3.2% stake in Kelso Group, a shareholder critical of THG’s business leadership. Moulding’s investment of approximately £300,000 comes amid Kelso’s consistent claims that THG is undervalued, advocating for the separation of its divisions. Kelso, launched in 2022, raised £3m to invest…
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1 DecemberHigh Street
Early signs of footfall recovery ahead of festive trading, BRC finds
The retail sector experienced early signs of footfall recovery in November as total UK footfall decreased by 0.7% in November(YoY), an improvement on -5.7% in October, according to the latest data from the BRC. High Street footfall decreased by 1.7%, an improvement on -4.6% in October, whereas Retail Parks again…
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Nov- 2023 -27 NovemberNews
Made launches first store in Sheffield
Next has announced the opening of the first Made store, as it makes a return to the High Street. The new store opened its doors at Vulcan Road in Sheffield on Friday 24 November. Covering 4,000 sq.ft, the store will offer customers the opportunity to browse a range of design-led…
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6 NovemberAnalysis
Can Asos turn around its spiral into widening losses?
If Asos’ estimations are correct, the online fashion retailer will be facing its second year of falling sales as big as 5% to 15% in FY24. Business has looked bleak for the retailer, and as of 3 September, its loss-before-tax widened to £296.7m, UP from a loss of £31.9m in…
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Oct- 2023 -27 OctoberHigh Street
Standalone Wilko stores to return to high street this year
Standalone Wilko stores are set to return to the high street and retail parks across Britain, including Northern Ireland for the first time, as new owner The Range prepares to roll-out the brand once again. Five stand-alone concept stores will now open before Christmas 2023, and the first two locations…
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9 OctoberDepartment Stores
House of Fraser could disappear from high street, CEO warns
House of Fraser stores could disappear from the high street altogether, as Frasers plans to pivot away from the traditional department store model, CEO Michael Murray has told the Telegraph. Murray said the House of Fraser brand could disappear altogether, adding that the “future vision is that House of Fraser…
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