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.
-
Mar- 2023 -29 MarchClothing & Shoes
Next acquires Cath Kidston for £8.5m with job losses expected
Next has agreed to acquire the brand name, domain names and intellectual property of Cath Kidston for £8.5m, with job cuts expected as the group is wound down and its remaining stores close. The group said the cathkidston.com domain will be licenced back to the administrators for a period of…
Read More » -
28 MarchSupermarkets
Supermarket sales up 8.6% as grocery inflation hits 17.5%
Take-home grocery sales increased 8.6% over the most recent 12 week-period as grocery price inflation reached record levels. According to the latest figures from Kantar, grocery price inflation reached 17.5%, adding £837 to the average household’s annual bill, with prices rising fastest in eggs, milk and cheese. Across the retailers,…
Read More » -
28 MarchClothing & Shoes
Next eyes Cath Kidston acquisition
Next is reportedly in advanced talks to rescue the Cath Kidston brand, in a move that would further expand its portfolio following the acquisitions of Joules and Made last year. According to Sky News, a deal could be closed as early as today (28 March), though some sources told Sky…
Read More » -
27 MarchFeatures
It’s always someone’s birthday: gift cards remain evergreen
Inflation and rising living costs have turned consumers into paranoid penny-pinchers, who are cautiously awaiting the next fiscal catastrophe to empty their wallets once again. According to Barclays, nearly six in 10 Brits are actively curbing their discretionary purchases, which has led to just a 5.5% uplift in year-on-year spending…
Read More » -
27 MarchHealth & Beauty
Boots owner eyes sale or float by year’s end
Boots faces being sold or floated by the end of 2023, following US boss’ wish to separate the global pharmacy retailer, reports This is Money. The news comes as investors and board members want the retailers’ senior leadership team to speed up plans to refocus the business on the US…
Read More » -
24 MarchProperty
Fortnum and Mason revamps flagship to appeal to wider audience
Fortnum and Mason is attempting to shed its image as a grocer for the super rich by revamping its flagship store in Piccadilly, according to reports from The Telegraph. The retailer will re-open the third floor of its store on Piccadilly in London as a “creative hub” focused on food…
Read More » -
24 MarchEconomy
Retail sales rise 1.2% in February
The ONS has reported today (24 March) that retail sales for February have increased by an estimated 1.2%, following a rise of 0.9% in January, despite a fall in sales volumes of 3.5% when compared to the same month last year. In addition, the ONS found that sales volumes fell…
Read More » -
23 MarchDepartment Stores
Ownership of business will ‘remain a constant’, says John Lewis chair
John Lewis chairwoman Sharon White has assured that employees’ ownership of the John Lewis Partnership will “remain a constant”, following reports that the group was considering selling a minority ownership stake. It comes as reports emerged earlier this week that the employee-owned group could dilute its 100% staff ownership structure…
Read More » -
22 MarchClothing & Shoes
Scotch & Soda files for bankruptcy for Dutch operations
Scotch and Soda has filed for bankruptcy for its Dutch operations after a structural cash flow deficit led to a “failure to absorb the negative effects of corona and high inflation”, despite record revenues last year. In a statement published on its Linkedin page, the clothing brand said the courts…
Read More » -
21 MarchDIY
Kingfisher FY22 performance suffers amid strong FY21 comparables
Kingfisher has revealed its post tax profits fell 44% to £471m for the full-year period ended 31 January 2023. The company posted sales of £1.30bn, down 0.9% from the £1.32bn it posted the previous year. It also posted gross profits of £4.8bn down 2.8% from £4.9bn last year and operating…
Read More »
