Not-so-golden quarter: Retail footfall slumps in another disappointing year Retail A dull December marked the end of yet another “disappointing” year for UK retail footfall as fresh data has revealed 2024 was the second year in a row to see a decline. According to recent Sensormatic data by the British Retail Consortium, UK footfall fell by 2.5 per cent year-on-year during the three months to December, [...]
Will an algorithm generate the next big Christmas ad? Opinion Christmas is coming and algorithms are at work, pushing the boundaries of creativity to ensure the tills keep ringing. But can AI tools ever really craft an ad that resonates on a deep, human level? Asks Paul Armstrong The Christmas ads have arrived, including a fake – and viral – John Lewis one, flooding our [...]
M&S set to buck retail trend and see a bumper golden quarter Retail After reporting a set of results far ahead of analysts’ expectations for the third quarter, Marks and Spencer is set for a bumper Christmas period as its turnaround continues to bear fruit. Its food division is particularly well-placed to deliver, with sales already up more than seven per cent in the third quarter. M&S’ food [...]
Retailers prepare for ‘exceptionally tough’ golden quarter after Budget November 4, 2024 The golden quarter is off to a slow start and things are only set to get tougher for retailers over Christmas, according to fresh data. In-store sales grew by 1.7 per cent year on year in October, while total sales – both in-store and online – grew 4.1 per cent, according to BDO. Whilst the [...]
Retailers pin hopes on bumper golden quarter with Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas October 14, 2024 The final three months of the year, also known as the golden quarter, are make-or-break for retailers. Retail spending has consistently languished this year, or been propped up by margin-carving discounts, but pent-up demand is expected to give the sector a much-needed boost during the holidays, according to a panel of industry experts. Despite consumer [...]