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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May- 2022 -10 MayClothing & Shoes
Cost of living crisis begins to hamper consumer spending
Spending on essential items dropped to 18.1% in April, compared to 17.4% in March, as inflation and rising living costs are starting to impact the retail sector. Research from Barclaycard found this was largely due to spending on fuel falling from a record 26.1% increase last month to 23% in…
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6 MayNews
Retail M&A deal value doubles in Q1 2022
The first quarter of 2022 saw 18 deals completed across the retail sector, the second-highest quarterly level since the start of the pandemic, according to new analysis from Grant Thornton UK’s quarterly retail sector M&A report. The £1.5bn announced deal value over the period was more than double that of…
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5 MayNews
BoE raises interest rates to highest level since 2009
The bank of England (BoE) has raised interest rates to its highest level since 2009 – marking the fourth time it has taken action since December. The new rate of 1%, up from 0.75%, is the BoE’s latest attempt to curb the rampant rise in inflation – also at its…
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5 MayEconomy
Consumers must brace for further price rises, BRC warns
The British Retail Consortium has warned that consumers can expect further rising prices as inflation continues to accelerate in the UK. It found that Shop Price annual inflation accelerated to 2.7% in April, up from 2.1% in March, which was above the 12- and six-month average price increases of 0.4%…
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3 MayFeatures
Missguided: what went wrong?
As the face of online shopping for young women around the world, Missguided has faced its fair share of troubles despite its ever-present popularity within the fast fashion industry. Now the company is eyeing potential buyers, it puts into question the future of the business. Since its launch in March…
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3 MayNews
Missguided gains interest from Asos, Shein, JD Sports and Frasers Group
Online womenswear retailer Missguided is reportedly attracting interest from Asos, Shein, JD Sports, the Frasers Group and the Issa brothers (the owners of Asda), all of whom are said to be in talks to buy the company. According to Drapers, private equity giants are also circling and sales documents are…
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Apr- 2022 -29 AprilNews
Amazon shares tumble amid first loss since 2015
Amazon shares have taken a 10% hit after reporting a net loss of $3.8bn (£3.02bn) in the first quarter ended 31 March 2022 (Q1), due to inflationary and supply chain pressures, marking its first loss since 2015. The net loss includes a pre-tax valuation loss of $7.6bn (£6.05bn), and Amazon’s…
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27 AprilHigh Street
May deadline set for Boots takeover bids
A deadline of May 16 has been set for final bids for Boots, according to Sky News. The company’s owner Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) issued the deadline as it looks to offload the business as economic issues threaten its valuation, with the price tag currently standing at up to £7bn.…
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22 AprilEconomy
Consumer confidence in freefall, says GfK
UK consumer confidence was in “freefall” during April according to the longstanding GfK Consumer Confidence Index. Its index decreased seven points to -38 in April, with all five measures down in comparison to the 25 March announcement. The index measuring changes in personal finances over the last 12 months decreased…
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22 AprilEconomy
Retail sales tumble amid cost of living crisis
Retail sales fell by 1.4% last month as consumers reduced their spending amid the cost of living crisis. This marked a much steeper decline than the fall of 0.5% reported in February 2022, revised from a previous fall of 0.3%. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the biggest…
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