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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Mar- 2021 -19 MarchAnalysis
Lidl & Aldi – Location, Location, Location
The demise of the high street and the evolution that part of retail is currently experiencing is extremely well documented. But one area that is not so well covered is the rise of Lidl & Aldi and their move towards dominance in the extremely valuable food retail market. This is…
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9 MarchHigh Street
WH Smith lockdown trading exceeds expectations
WH Smith has revealed that the group has delivered a “better than expected performance” during the latest lockdown period. According to the high street retailer, it has “adapted well” to the evolving trading environment and despite reduced footfall, revenue in its High Street business in January 2021 was at 74%…
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5 MarchHigh Street
Sales fall 3.1% in Feb despite record online sales
Shuttered high street shops contributed to a 3.1% decline in total like-for-like sales in February but fashion and homeware helped drive online sales to a record high, new figures from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP reveal. According to BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker (HSST), total like-for-like (LFL) sales,…
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4 MarchHigh Street
February footfall rises across all destinations despite lockdown
Footfall across UK retail destinations rose by 16% in February against the previous month, despite the continuation of lockdown and ongoing restrictions on non-essential retail. According to Springboard’s latest footfall monitor, this marks the largest month-on-month increase for February since its footfall data first became available in 2009. Footfall rose…
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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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