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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Dec- 2020 -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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3 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Laura Ashley returns to high street with Next partnership
Laura Ashley is set to return to the UK high street next year with a new partnership with Next, which will sell its homeware products and will launch a series of new stores. According to The Guardian, the clothing and home furnishing retailer said it will reintroduce its homeware via…
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Sep- 2020 -29 SeptemberHigh Street
New restrictions see high street footfall drop 6.6%
The government’s new restrictions seemingly took its toll on the high street last week with high street footfall falling by 6.8%, according to the latest figures from Springboard. The new data also shows that footfall across all UK retail destinations declined by -3% last week from the week before, driven…
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21 SeptemberCoronavirus
Government launches £95m recovery fund for high street
A new £95m government-funded scheme will support 68 “historic” high streets in England to recover from “declining footfall” and the impact of the pandemic. The initiative, High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), will work with local authorities to convert disused buildings into new shops, workplaces and community spaces. HSHAZ will…
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16 SeptemberComment
What to know: High street tenancies
As the Scottish Government considers extending the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act anti-irritancy provisions, which effectively prevent landlords from terminating commercial leases, speculation is increasing that temporary restrictions in England on landlords taking action against tenants in rent arrears may also be extended. What are those provisions and what do they mean…
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14 SeptemberFeatures
Behind the headline figures: Four reasons for optimism for retailers
The latest retail figures are showing signs of real encouragement for retailers. Retail sales volumes rose a better-than-expected 3.6% in July and are now above pre-pandemic levels. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that sales rose 2% ahead of a 0.2% prediction by economists, and this was on…
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Aug- 2020 -10 AugustHigh Street
WH Smith seeks rent cuts
WH Smith is reportedly seeking rent cuts from its landlords as it looks to cut costs. According to The Sunday Times, the retailer has drafted in advisers Gerald Eve to negotiate with landlords across its portfolio of over 1,000 UK stores located on the high street and at travel hubs. …
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