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- 2019 -4 JanuaryComment
Carnage on the shop floor
The pressure on the retail sector has been a consistent staple for investors since the end of the financial crisis, partly as a result of changing shopping habits but also down to rising costs and outdated business models. This has been no better illustrated by the way UK consumers behaved…
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Dec- 2018 -20 DecemberEconomy
Online breaks 20% of retail for first time
The quantity bought in retail sales increased by 0.4% in the three months to November 2018, driven by growths in non-food stores, online retailing and Black Friday promotions. According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), during the month online sales as a proportion of all…
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13 DecemberHigh Street
HoF acquisition dents Sports Direct profits
Sports Direct has reported a 27% fall in profits for the half-year period ending 28 October as it counts the cost of its acquisition of embattled department store chain House of Fraser. During the period, the company that also owns USC, Flannels, and Evans Cycles reported underlying profit before tax…
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10 DecemberHigh Street
Welsh high street retailers to get £2,500 each in business rate cuts
The Welsh government has announced it is to give retailers £2,500 each in business rate cuts. Finance secretary, Mark Drakeford has announced a £23.6m investment to enhance and extend the government’s high street rates relief scheme until 2020. Around 15,000 businesses are expected to receive the enhanced support from April…
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7 DecemberEntertainment
Games Workshop defies ‘high street woes’ with strong H1 results
Fantasy miniatures retailer Games Workshop has reported sales of £124m and operating profits of £41m for the first six months of its 2018/19 financial year. The group said the results were “in line with expectations” for the year ending 2 June 2019, but added that the board is “aware it…
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6 DecemberAdvice
It’s not too late for the high street to make a success of Christmas
Black Friday is over and retailer’s sights are now being set on the Christmas rush, as retailers look to capitalise on demand for presents, food and drink, decorations and all manner of other festive paraphernalia. Good cheer abounds, year-end bonuses are still prevalent in many sectors, and consumers are often…
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4 DecemberDepartment Stores
‘Tax the internet for the good of the high street’, Mike Ashley tells MPs
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has said online businesses should be taxed 20% in as soon as six months to save the majority of high street retailers and avoid closures. Ashley appeared in front of MPs at the House of Commons yesterday (3 December) after demanding to meet them in…
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Nov- 2018 -26 NovemberAdvice
Could rethinking returns help rescue the high street?
It’s a sad fact, but the traditional British high street is suffering more than ever before. With more than 24,000 shops closing their doors in the first six months of this year alone, more light needs to be thrown on retailers’ ongoing loss prevention. The overall picture painted lately shows…
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26 NovemberHigh Street
Black Friday provided ‘little benefit to struggling high street’
This year’s Black Friday has done “little to help the struggling bricks-and-mortar stores throughout the UK”, according to data from Springboard. The group, which provides insights on retail performance, said overall footfall declined by 5.4% from Black Friday 2017, with declines of similar magnitudes throughout the weekend from last year…
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21 NovemberHigh Street
Crickhowell High Street crowned ‘UK’s best’ in Great British High Street Awards
Crickhowell High Street has been crowned the overall winner of the government-run Great British High Street Awards 2018. The Welsh high street was commended for its community-led initiatives and strong network of independent businesses and was awarded £15,000 for the local community. The result reflects strong public support on social…
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