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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Jan- 2022 -11 JanuarySupermarkets
UK supermarket sales exceed expectations as Brits spend £7.1bn
UK shoppers spent a total of £7.1bn at UK supermarkets in the two weeks ending 25 December with weekly sales peaking at +14.8%, according to new data released today by NielsenIQ. This figure exceeds previous forecasts from analysts at NielsenIQ, in which sales were predicted to grow to £6.8bn, up…
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11 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Very Group sales spike 22% over festive period
The Very Group has welcomed a period of “strong” trading in the run-up to Christmas, with sales increasing 21.9% in the seven-week period ended 24 December 2021. In light of the effects of the pandemic last Christmas, its latest results were given against its sales two years ago. As more…
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10 JanuaryOnline & Digital
Digital fashion sales fall back in December
Both digital fashion sales and web traffic fell back in December, falling -35% and -121% month-on-month, according to data from True Fit. This dip, True Fit said, “could have been caused by consumers buying early, having already made digital fashion purchases during Black Friday, or were due to shoppers holding…
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10 JanuaryPeople Moves
WH Smith begins hunt for next chairman
WH Smith has reportedly launched its search for a new chairman, with headhunters understood to be approaching prospective candidates on behalf of the group, according to Sky News. Headhunters at Lygon Group are said to be searching for a successor to Henry Staunton, who has chaired the group since 2013. …
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7 JanuaryNews
Boots UK sales surge 16.3% in Q1
Boots delivered strong UK sales growth of 16.3% in Q1, Walgreen Boots Alliance’s (WBA) latest fiscal 2022 first quarter earnings have revealed. During the first fiscal quarter ending 30 November 2021, comparable pharmacy sales increased 8.8%, reflecting stronger demand for pharmacy services and sales up more than 200% year-on-year. Comparable…
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7 JanuaryEconomy
Tube strikes threaten West End footfall
A proposed six month strike action across London’s Night Tube is set to bring disruption to businesses across London’s West End in the coming months. Tube union RMT confirmed that strike action would go ahead every weekend on the Night Tube from today (7 January) through to June in an…
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6 JanuaryDIY
B&M ups guidance following strong festive trading
B&M has announced it has raised its guidance for FY22 following a period of “very strong” trading in the run-up to Christmas. The retailer’s EBITDA is now expected to be in the range of £605m to £625m, ahead of analysts’ current estimate of £578m. Although total UK revenue was down…
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6 JanuaryComment
Checkout free stores: what they’re all about
What is the concept behind checkout-free stores? In theory, checkout-free stores drive convenience for both the merchant and the customer. Everyone has demanding lives and as a result will, understandably, look to minimise hassle if they can. Through the right payments’ infrastructure, these stores, which first appeared in the UK…
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5 JanuarySupermarkets
Grocery sales hit £11.7bn in December
Take-home grocery sales reached £11.7bn in December alone as shoppers upped their spending to celebrate Christmas, according to the latest figures from Kantar. Over the 12 weeks to 26 December 2021, shoppers spent £31.7bn primarily boosted by the December performance. Although down by 3.0% compared with 2020, spending remains higher…
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5 JanuaryNews
Price rises to pick up momentum in 2022
Shop price annual inflation accelerated to 0.8% in December, up from 0.3% in November with prices set to rise in the new year, according to a latest study from the BRC. The increase of 0.3% is above the 12 and six month average price decreases of 0.9% and 0.3%, respectively.…
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