Inflation
This coverage analyses the impact of inflation on the UK retail industry, focusing on costs, pricing strategies, consumer spending, and operational challenges. Reporting highlights economic trends, retailer responses, supply chain pressures, and leadership decisions to manage margins and demand. Designed for executives and managers, it offers insights to navigate inflationary pressures while maintaining competitiveness.
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Nov- 2023 -29 NovemberSupermarkets
Branded grocery suppliers increased unit profitability, CMA probe finds
A number of suppliers of branded grocery products “raised prices faster than costs rose”, according to the CMA’s latest findings from its review of competition among supermarkets. The news follows an initial assessment that focused on retail competition in the groceries sector from July, which identified 10 product categories including…
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28 NovemberEconomy
Falling inflation under threat in 2024, BRC warns
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that the current trend of falling inflation could be under threat in the New Year in the face of new headwinds such as rising business rates and new regulations. This comes despite Shop Price annual inflation having decelerated further to 4.3% in November,…
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28 NovemberNews
Topps Tiles PBT falls to £6.8m despite record revenues
Topps Tiles has revealed its profit before tax fell 37.6% to £6.8m in FY23 despite reporting a third consecutive record year of revenues as they increased 6.3% to £262.7m. The retailer said that sales per store were up 30% compared with pre-pandemic levels due to further improvements to its customer…
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24 NovemberFeatures
Better than forecasted: how is Black Friday 2023 doing?
According to last week’s release from MRI Software, Black Friday 2023 is going to be underwhelming for retailers compared to pre-pandemic levels. Does this still hold true? Can you expand further? At MRI Software what we predicted last week was that Black Friday would weaken compared with previous years and…
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23 NovemberGovernment
BRC accuses Hunt of ‘selling out’ retailers and customers
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has accused the chancellor of selling out retailers and customers in his Autumn Statement delivered yesterday (22 November). In the budget Hunt froze the business rates multiplier for small businesses but offered nothing to larger ones. He also increased the National Living Wage to £11.44…
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16 NovemberNews
Today’s news in brief-16/11/23
Mars has acquired Hotel Chocolat in a £534m deal, offering a 168% premium on the share price. Mars sees cultural alignment between the two companies, sharing values of quality, sustainability, and purpose. Hotel Chocolat’s directors deemed the deal “fair and reasonable.” Mars, with its international footprint and global supply chain,…
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16 NovemberLuxury Goods
Burberry issues profit warning as luxury sales slow
Burberry has revealed its annual adjusted operating profits would be towards the lower end of its current consensus range of £552m-£668m following a slowdown in demand for luxury goods. This comes despite a 4% increase in revenues to £1.396bn during the 26 weeks ended 30 September 2023. Q2 comparable store…
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15 NovemberNews
Today’s news in brief-15/11/23
Central Group, a Thai conglomerate and co-owner of Selfridges, has reportedly become the largest shareholder by converting a €364m loan into equity. This move follows reports of financial troubles at Signa Group, the other key shareholder. Restructuring efforts were initiated due to rising borrowing costs and falling property valuations. Selfridges,…
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15 NovemberEconomy
Lower energy prices sees inflation drop to 4.6%
UK Inflation slowed sharply to 4.6% in October, beating economists expectations, thanks to a marked reduction in energy prices. According to the latest figures of the Office of National Statistics, housing and household services prices fell by 0.3% between September and October 2023, compared with a rise of 3.4% between…
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15 NovemberSupermarkets
UK supermarkets sales rise 8.7% despite cautious consumer spending
Total Till sales at UK supermarkets increased 8.7% in the last four weeks ending 4 November 2023, according to new data released today by NIQ . This growth is against the backdrop of slowing inflation and an increase in promotional activity (24%, up from 21% last year) by supermarkets as…
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