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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Oct- 2024 -18 OctoberAnalysis
A look at Mulberry’s financial struggles and future prospects
Once a darling of the British fashion scene in the 2000s, Mulberry was a go-to accessory for trendsetters like Alexa Chung with its signature leather handbags, such as the Bayswater. However, the group is now grappling with a financial crisis, reporting a pre-tax loss of £34.1m for the year ending…
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18 OctoberDIY
Hobbycraft profits plummet 80%
Hobbycraft has reported an 80% drop in profits to £393,000, down from £2m the previous year, for the 52 weeks ended 18 February 2024. The art and craft supplier attributed this loss to inflationary pressures and one-off costs that have impacted the retailer’s financial health despite their efforts to drive…
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3 OctoberSupermarkets
Sainsbury’s chief calls for Budget action on consumer confidence
Sainsbury’s boss Simon Roberts has called on the government to introduce measures to improve consumer confidence in the Budget this month. He told Reuters that despite falling inflation, higher wages, and solid employment levels, UK shoppers remain nervous about spending on bigger ticket items. Recent surveys have shown UK consumer…
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2 OctoberSupermarkets
Booths narrows pre-tax losses to £1.6m
Supermarket chain Booths has narrowed its losses from £4.0m in 2023 to £1.6m and has reported a 6.7% rise in sales to £318.7m for the year ending 30 March 2024. The group attributed the performance to increased footfall and basket spend, partly due to inflation and the benefit of an…
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Sep- 2024 -30 SeptemberHigh Street
Dreams sales jump 2.2% amid record store investment
Dreams has revealed turnover increased by 2.2% to £395.4m for the 52 weeks ending December 2023, following a period of record investment in store expansion and refits and upgrading its technology system. The specialist bed retailer said the performance was underpinned by 4.4% orders like-for-like (LFL) growth and continuous market…
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25 SeptemberDIY
DFS swings to £1.7m loss amid Red Sea stock delays
DFS has reported a loss before tax of £1.7m for the year ended 30 June due to “record” low market demand and Red Sea shipping disruption deferring sales and profits to future periods. By June 2024, adjusted profit before tax stood at £10.5m, having fallen £20.1m year-on-year to below DFS’…
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20 September
Today’s news in brief-20/9/24
In August, UK retail sales saw a 1% increase, marking a continued recovery with a 2.5% year-on-year growth, the strongest since early 2022. While overall volumes remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels, supermarkets and clothing stores benefited from warmer weather and seasonal sales. Online spending remained steady, showing a 4.3% increase…
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20 SeptemberPeople Moves
Nike names Elliott Hill as CEO and president as Donahoe steps down
Nike has announced that Elliott Hill is set to become its new president and CEO, effective 14 October, 2024. Hill will also become a director and a member of the Executive Committee. The news comes as the sports retail giant revealed its board and current CEO and president John Donahoe…
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20 SeptemberPeople Moves
BFC launches search for CEO as Caroline Rush steps down
The British Fashion Council (BFC) has launched a search for a new CEO, having revealed that Caroline Rush CBE will step down from the role in June 2025 after a 16-year tenure. Rush will continue to lead the organisation as the search for her successor begins as part of the…
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20 SeptemberNews
Retail sales up 1% in August
UK retail sales were marginally up by 1% in August, following a rise of 0.7% in July, the ONS has revealed. According to the latest figures, sales volumes rose by 1.2% in the three months to August, when compared with the three months to May. Over the year to August,…
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