Wales
This coverage highlights retail developments and economic trends specific to Wales, examining store openings and closures, regional sales performance, employment issues, and policy changes affecting the retail sector. Reporting provides retail managers and executives with insights into the unique challenges and opportunities shaping retail operations across Welsh towns and cities.
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Jan- 2019 -7 JanuaryEconomy
Retail administrations rise for second consecutive year
The number of retailers entering into administration in 2018 was 125 – compared to 118 in 2017, an increase of 6% according to Deloitte’s latest insolvency figures. Furthermore, the number of retailers entering into company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) increased by 52%, from 25 in 2017 to 38 in 2018. Deloitte’s…
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3 JanuarySupermarkets
Co-op to open 100 new stores in 2019
The Co-op has announced it will open 100 new food stores during 2019 as part of a £200m store investment programme. The retailer said the combined £200m store investment programme could lead to around 1,500 new local jobs, and added that in addition to the openings, it will also provide…
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Dec- 2018 -10 DecemberHigh Street
Welsh high street retailers to get £2,500 each in business rate cuts
The Welsh government has announced it is to give retailers £2,500 each in business rate cuts. Finance secretary, Mark Drakeford has announced a £23.6m investment to enhance and extend the government’s high street rates relief scheme until 2020. Around 15,000 businesses are expected to receive the enhanced support from April…
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5 DecemberAnalysis
Why are retail spaces shrinking across England and Wales?
Across the UK, retailers are struggling to survive. This is down to several factors: years of austerity and low wage growth has meant that households have less spending power, the cost of imported goods has risen – as has the national minimum wage – and the trend of “bricks to…
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4 DecemberHigh Street
Footfall slumps following Black Friday weekend
High street footfall slumped by 5.5% in the week following the Black Friday weekend, according to figures from retail analysts Springboard. The group said the decline was “inevitably”, given that the week followed directly on from the “furore of Black Friday and included the online focussed Cyber Monday”. Furthermore, all…
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Nov- 2018 -29 NovemberHigh Street
The Range bans under-18s from shopping alone in its stores
Homewares retailer The Range has banned under-18s from shopping alone in its stores, “due to the products on sale in store”. A backlash began in Wales after two 17-year-olds were kicked out of the chain’s Rhyl store whilst shopping for Christmas presents. The teenagers’ mother, Karen Jayne, took to the…
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29 NovemberComment
5 ways fashion retailers are making a difference
Fashion labels are always in the spotlight, and not always for the right reasons. But many of them are stepping up and making positive headlines — through making a difference in terms of the wider community and social issues. Lacoste recently announced that it would be adopting a temporary logo…
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21 NovemberHigh Street
Crickhowell High Street crowned ‘UK’s best’ in Great British High Street Awards
Crickhowell High Street has been crowned the overall winner of the government-run Great British High Street Awards 2018. The Welsh high street was commended for its community-led initiatives and strong network of independent businesses and was awarded £15,000 for the local community. The result reflects strong public support on social…
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13 NovemberGovernment
EU rules could ‘thwart’ Hammond’s business rates promise
Hammond’s plan to help high streets through a near £1bn, two year business rates cut, is set to be thwarted by European Union state aid rules, real estate agents Altus Group have claimed. The chancellor will slash business rates next April by discounting bills by a third for those retail…
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12 NovemberEconomy
Footfall drops for 11th consecutive month
Footfall in October fell by 2% on the previous year, an identical fall to that recorded in October 2017 and a deeper decline than September 2018 when footfall fell by 1.7%. According to the Springboard retail footfall figures, October also marked the 11th month of consecutive footfall decline. However, analysts…
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