Pandemic
This coverage examines the impact of pandemics on the UK retail industry, focusing on operational disruption, financial challenges, consumer behaviour shifts, and recovery strategies. Reporting highlights store closures, safety measures, supply chain pressures, leadership decisions, and lessons learned to enhance resilience. Tailored for executives and managers, it provides insights to navigate crisis situations and strengthen preparedness.
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Sep- 2024 -17 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief-17/9/24
THG (The Hut Group) has announced plans to potentially demerge its technology arm, THG Ingenuity. This move follows the group’s interim results for the half-year ending June 30, 2024, which showed a 1.6% rise in adjusted EBITDA despite a 3.6% decline in year-on-year sales. THG Ingenuity saw a notable 12.6%…
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17 SeptemberHigh Street
Pret A Manger FY global sales hit £1.1bn for first time
Pret A Manger has reported a 10% increase in first-half sales to £569m, whilst also revealing that global sales hit £1.1bn for FY23 for the first time, following its expansion into overseas markets. Pret confirmed that it achieved its medium-term growth target during FY23, which was set in 2021. The…
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17 SeptemberGovernment
Sadiq Khan unveils plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has again set out proposals to transform Oxford Street, including turning the road into a traffic-free pedestrianised avenue, in a bid to make it the “leading retail destination in the world.” The mayor has previously tried to implement major changes to Oxford Street, but…
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12 SeptemberHigh Street
Shop closures rise to 38 per day in 2024
An average of 38 shops closed down each day in the first six months of the year, according to new research from PwC. The latest data shows that a total of 6,945 shops belonging to multiples and chains exited Great Britain’s high streets, shopping centres and retail parks – a…
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Aug- 2024 -27 AugustNews
Today’s news in brief-27/8/24
UK shop prices have fallen for the first time since October 2021, with the BRC-NielsenIQ index reporting deflation of 0.3% in August, down from July’s 0.2% inflation. Non-food items saw a deeper deflation of -1.5%, driven by heavy discounts on summer stock, while food inflation slowed to 2%, with fresh…
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27 AugustHigh Street
Modella Capital acquires Hobbycraft from Bridgepoint
Privately-owned specialist retail investment boutique Modella Capital has announced its acquisition of Hobbycraft, the largest arts and crafts retailer in the UK, from majority investor Bridgepoint for an undisclosed sum. Founded in Bournemouth in 1995 and acquired by Bridgepoint in 2010, Hobbycraft has grown to a nationwide business with over…
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12 AugustNews
Today’s news in brief-12/8/24
Asda’s chair, Lord Rose, expressed embarrassment over the supermarket’s recent performance, citing a 5.3% drop in like-for-like sales and a market share decline from 14.8% to 12.7%. He suggested it might be time for co-owner Mohsin Issa to reduce involvement. Asda has initiated a £50m store upgrade and £30m investment…
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12 AugustHigh Street
Pret hands out body cams to staff amid rise in retail crime
Pret A Manger has dished out body cameras to its staff amid a surge in shoplifting cases and attacks on retail workers in the wake of the pandemic, according to the Telegraph. The coffee shop chain has reportedly launched a trial of the body-worn cameras in six of its London…
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9 AugustNews
Today’s news in brief-9/8/24
Recent riots and protests across UK towns have significantly deterred shoppers, leading to a 4.8% decrease in footfall across high streets and retail destinations. Regional cities like North Yorkshire and the West Midlands were hardest hit, experiencing declines as steep as 12.9%. The Retail Trust has reported an increase in…
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9 AugustSport & Leisure
Mountain Warehouse FY sales hit ‘record’ £386m amid new openings
Mountain Warehouse has revealed that store sales rose 7.1% to a “record” £386m in the year to 25 February, owing to the group’s 28 store openings – including its debut in Australia. The group has attributed its performance to shoppers returning to the high street after the height of the…
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