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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Jan- 2019 -29 JanuaryAnalysis
The UK’s high street woes
There are few sectors where the effects of the faltering UK economy have been more starkly visible than the retail sector. It seems that every day the media presents another story about a high street name facing financial difficulty. There are a multitude of factors playing into the softening consumer…
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9 JanuaryEntertainment
HMV ‘denied’ £3.35m tax lifeline before administration
Beleaguered music and film retailer, HMV, who officially fell into administration during the festive period, was denied a £3.35m government tax cut before it entered administration new figures have revealed. HMV blamed a “tsunami” of retail challenges, including business rate levels, saying it paid £15m on sales of £277m meaning…
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7 JanuaryEconomy
Retail administrations rise for second consecutive year
The number of retailers entering into administration in 2018 was 125 – compared to 118 in 2017, an increase of 6% according to Deloitte’s latest insolvency figures. Furthermore, the number of retailers entering into company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) increased by 52%, from 25 in 2017 to 38 in 2018. Deloitte’s…
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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since the end of the financial crisis, partly as a result of changing shopping habits but also down to rising costs and outdated business models.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 -21 DecemberHigh Street
December consumer confidence ends 2018 on five-year low
GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index decreased by one point in December 2018 to -14. The measure for the general economic situation of the country during the last 12 months also dropped by two points to -31 this month, the same level as December 2017, and expectations for the next 12…
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14 DecemberSupermarkets
Grocery market growth cools as Christmas nears
Grocery market share figures have cooled in the lead up the Christmas, growing only 2% for the 12 weeks to 2 December 2018, its slowest rate since March 2017. According to the Kantar Worldpanel consumers are benefiting from falling inflation, which now stands at 1.6%, and is less than half…
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6 DecemberEconomy
UK customers to boost retailers with £420 festive spend
New Christmas trading analysis from PwC has suggested UK shoppers are preparing to spend an average of £420 on Christmas presents this year. Those in the 35-44 year age bracket are expected to shell out the most with a £522 spend, and shoppers in Scotland will have the highest average…
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Nov- 2018 -20 NovemberAdvice
The rise of the serial returner
By 2020 the e-commerce industry’s revenue is expected to reach £500bn. A wealth of opportunity awaits online sellers. Yet the rise of the ‘serial returner’ (individuals who buy goods but repeatedly return them after a few days and uses) presents a huge barrier for businesses hoping to succeed and grow…
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9 NovemberHigh Street
Gap between retail closures and openings continue to widen, says PwC
A combination of growth in online shopping, shift to in-home leisure, heightened restructuring activity and ongoing digitisation of services has seen the half-year net reduction in stores on Britain’s high streets reach record levels, according to PwC. According to research compiled for PwC by the Local Data Company (LDC) a…
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1 NovemberEconomy
Bank of England puts hold on interest rates due to Brexit uncertainty
The Bank of England has placed interest rates on hold following growing uncertainty around Brexit. A vote to leave rates unchanged held by the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was in favour of leaving rates at 0.75% by 9-0. Financial markets are currently indicating that rates will not rise until…
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