Productivity
This coverage explores productivity in the UK retail industry, focusing on workforce effectiveness, operational efficiency, process innovation, and cost control. Reporting provides insight into how retailers optimise resources and performance to remain competitive — supporting executives, managers, and professionals driving improvement initiatives.
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Mar- 2023 -14 MarchEconomy
Retail jobs at lowest four quarter average in over a decade
The number of retail jobs in the UK was down to its lowest average four quarter level in over a decade, according to ONS Labour Market figures. The four quarter average dropped to 3.05 million retail jobs in December 2022, down from 3.08 million in December 2021. The overall number…
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Feb- 2023 -6 FebruaryEconomy
Trade bodies urge Govt to reform ‘broken’ apprenticeship levy
Four trade bodies within UK retail and hospitality, including the BRC, have called on the government to reform the “broken” apprenticeship levy system, as so far, £3.5bn has reportedly expired before businesses could make use of it. This call on the government comes as businesses were also unable to meet…
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Jan- 2023 -18 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Burberry sales rise 1% amid Chinese ‘covid disruption’
British retailer Burberry has announced that its like for like sales only grew 1% for the 13 weeks ended 31 December 2022 as a result of covid related disruptions in China. When excluding China, the company’s sales rose 11%. Sales in the EMEIA region increased 19%, driven by sales to…
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16 JanuaryDepartment Stores
M&S announces £480m store investment plan
Marks and Spencer has announced a £480m plan to invest in 20 “bigger and better” stores over the next two years. The new store pipeline for 2023/24 includes eight full line destination stores in key city locations. These include a new 97k sq ft store in Leeds White Rose and…
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Dec- 2022 -5 DecemberHigh Street
CBI downgrades growth forecast to -0.4% amid ‘lacklustre outlook’
CBI has downgraded its GDP growth outlook significantly, to -0.4% in 2023 (from 1.0% in its last forecast), after a “turbulent year both politically and economically”. It said the reason behind the latest change is that the economy is likely to have fallen into a recession in Q3 2022, and…
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Nov- 2022 -23 NovemberAdvice
Black Friday: How can algorithmic retailing ensure a successful event?
Worldwide activity surrounding Black Friday has never been stronger. In the US, over 53% of consumers plan to make a purchase on Black Friday ; in the UK consumers are expected to spend £8.71 billion over the course of the 2022 Black Friday weekend. It’s an event which represents a…
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Sep- 2022 -13 SeptemberSponsored Articles
The Golden Quarter: Planning for profit with intelligent merchandising
16 September marks the 100-day countdown to Christmas, also known as the Golden Quarter; the busiest period in the retail calendar. The Golden Quarter can be a difficult time for retail businesses, but this year, of all years, will be a real challenge. The cost-of-living crisis continued disruption to supply…
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13 SeptemberSupermarkets
Ocado lowers outlook as customers cut back
Ocado Retail Ltd has lowered its outlook for FY22 as revenue growth in Q4 is not expected to generate full-year growth year-on-year as customers are buying smaller baskets and trading down in response to inflationary pressures. The group now expects to see a small sales decline in FY22 and close…
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9 SeptemberEconomy
UK workers face £2,000 hit to real wages
UK workers are facing a £2,000 hit to their real wages by the end of 2022 as the UK economy confronts a “highly volatile and uncertain” inflationary outlook, according to the latest PwC Economic Outlook. PwC expects that the UK will likely report growth of between 3.6% in the “mild…
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Aug- 2022 -23 AugustAnalysis
Do staff cuts really help in a recession?
The European fashion retailer, Zalando, has predicted a return to growth of up to 3% in H2 despite a 58% profit drop during Q2, which reportedly brought the company’s operating profit down to £64.7m from £153.3m in the same period last year. In light of these results, and in spite…
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