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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Nov- 2022 -15 NovemberEconomy
Unemployment rate rises to 3.6%
The unemployment rate for July to September 2022 increased by 0.2% on the quarter to 3.6, according to the latest statistics from the ONS. The UK employment rate for July to September 2022 was 75.5%, largely unchanged from the previous quarter and 1.1% lower than before the coronavirus pandemic. Over…
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11 NovemberDIY
The Works sales rise in H1 despite online slowdown
The Works has reported total sales for the half-year increased by 2.1%, with total like-for-like sales having increased 0.6%. Store trading was also positive, having increased by 3.5% on a like-for-like basis. However, the group’s online sales declined by 16.9% over the period, though results show it is still 50%…
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8 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Primark sales rocket 43% in FY22
The parent company of Primark, Associated British Foods, has announced that Primark’s total sales rocketed by 43% to £7.7bn in FY22, as the group welcomed a “significant” rise in customer footfall and sales densities. In the UK, like-for-like sales and market shares returned to pre-pandemic levels, though weaker like-for-like sales…
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8 NovemberPeople Moves
John Lewis COO to leave after 30 years
John Lewis Partnership COO Andrew Murphy has announced his intention to leave the retail group after 30 years. He will leave next summer, after he revealed his decision was influenced by the milestone of reaching 30 years with the company, and the desire to pursue other opportunities. Writing on Linkedin,…
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4 NovemberDIY
DFS order volumes recover in September
DFS has reported that its order volumes have grown relative to FY22 and the pre-pandemic financial year since early September, following the group’s full year result announcement on 15 September. It is reported that the retailer’s overall performance is in line with its mid case scenario of around £36m in…
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3 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Clarks returns to profit in FY22 amid repositioning
Clarks has announced it has returned to profit for the year ended 29 January 2022, with pre-tax profits rising to £55.4m compared to a loss of £181.8m in the previous year, following a period of recovery and repositioning. Group operating profit also increased year-on-year from £162.2m to £61.7m, and group…
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Oct- 2022 -31 OctoberDepartment Stores
Harrods swings to profit in FY21
Harrods has revealed it has returned to profit for the year ending 29 January 2022 (FY21), as the group’s operating profit hit £55.5m, up +£121.9m year-on-year from a loss of -£66.4m in FY20. Harrods’ turnover also increased 35.5% to £581.9m, up year-on-year from £429.5m, and gross transaction value (excluding VAT)…
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28 OctoberOnline & Digital
Amazon shares fall as group predicts sales slowdown
Amazon has seen its shares plummet by as much as 20% after it warned of a slowdown in sales for the upcoming quarter. It comes as the group reported that sales hit $127.1bn (£110bn) in the quarter ended 30 September, 2022, a rise of 15% against the prior year yet…
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28 OctoberHigh Street
Store vacancy rate falls but remains below pre-pandemic levels
In the third quarter of 2022, the overall GB vacancy rate decreased to 13.9%, a 0.1% rise from Q2 and 0.6% better than the same period last year, according to the latest monitor from the BRC and Local Data Company. This was the fourth consecutive quarter of falling vacancy rates.…
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27 OctoberNews
Passenger named one of the UK’s fastest growing online companies
Outdoor clothing brand Passenger is gearing up for global expansion as it named one of the UK’s fastest growing online companies. The New Forest company – which plants a tree for every order sold – has seen sales more than quadruple from 2019 to £11 million in 2021 as, driven…
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