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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Feb- 2021 -8 FebruaryHigh Street
Retail sales fall 10% in January
Total like-for-like retail sales declined by 10% in January as both the national lockdown and impact of Covid-19 affected shops across England, according to BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker. It found that lifestyle total like-for-like sales fell to 16.7% in January. This month’s result reportedly marked “the worst” since June…
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3 FebruaryHigh Street
‘Uncontrolled conversions’ plan will ruin high street, warns BPF
The British Property Federation (BPF) has launched an appeal to combat the government’s recently proposed “uncontrolled conversions” plan, which would see high street property spaces being converted into residential ones. The government’s consultation proposing a new Permitted Development Right (PDR), which would enable more commercial, business and service premises on…
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Jan- 2021 -20 JanuaryHigh Street
WH Smith trading ‘better than anticipated’
WH Smith has posted its trading update for the 16 weeks to January, with the company reporting a “better than anticipated” sales performance. The group has said it adapted well to the “evolving trading environment” on the high street, with revenue in stores in December at 92% of 2019 levels. …
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8 JanuaryCoronavirus
Covid restrictions lead to first negative LFL sales in December
Despite a strong start to the month, retailers recorded a disappointing end to the Golden Quarter thanks to heightened Covid restrictions and expanding lockdowns, new figures by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP reveal. According to BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker (HSST), total like-for-like (LFL) sales, combined in-store and…
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Dec- 2020 -23 DecemberCoronavirus
Labour calls for high street Fightback Fund
Labour has urged the government to “stand up for businesses” through a Hospitality and High Streets Fightback Fund, aimed at supporting businesses hit by the recent Tier 4 restrictions. It comes as almost 175,000 businesses in Tier 4 areas across London, the South East and the East of England have…
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10 DecemberSport & Leisure
Frasers Group reports 30% rise in half-year profits
Frasers Group has reported a 29.1% surge in after-tax profit to £84m in the 26 weeks to 25 October. The Mike Ashley-owned retail group said lockdown closures across its non-essential stores have resulted in a 7.4% drop in group revenue to £1.9bn. Over this period, Frasers Group’s sport retail business…
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2 DecemberAdvice
Why we should be focussing on repurposing and not death of the high street
For several years, there has been a very evident and well publicised demise of local high streets as they struggle to compete with the ease and efficiency of online shopping. This has led to what is commonly termed the ‘death of the high street’. According to research from the Local…
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Nov- 2020 -23 NovemberHigh Street
Third of consumers to shop this Black Friday
More than a third of UK shoppers are planning to participate in this year’s Black Friday, with 36% stating they will make a purchase during the annual event, according to new research by KPMG. Its latest study polled 2,000 consumers about their spending intentions for Black Friday, and found that…
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12 NovemberHigh Street
WH Smith swings to £226m loss
WH Smith has swung to a pre-tax loss of £226m in the 12 months ending 31 August 2020, down from a £135m profit reported last year. Group revenue for the retailer also fell 33% to £1.02bn in the period, down from £1.39bn the previous year. Liquidity increased to £200m, up…
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6 NovemberCoronavirus
October retail recovery reverses with new lockdown
Despite UK retailers seeing an economic recovery in October, a second national lockdown in England risks reversing the sector’s financial progress. According to BDO, with non-essential retail back on lockdown from yesterday (5 November) until the beginning of December, the “most critical season of the year is now under threat…
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