The future of the high street lies within collaboration, not competition December 6, 2024 What was once a shopping experience to look forward to has become a memory for many: will the high street ever feel the same? For quite some time, the online and in-store worlds have been competing over the same simple access to products, for better or for worse. Since the pandemic, consumers have gravitated towards [...]
WH Smith: Profit jumps as expansion into travel shops pays off November 14, 2024 WH Smith’s push into travel has paid off with the bulk of its growth in the last year due to higher profit at airports, train stations and motorway services. WH Smith’s revenue rose seven per cent to £1.918bn in the year ended 31 August, 2024, driven by growth in travel shops plus the company’s expansion [...]
Womenswear firm Sosandar signs homewares agreement with Next November 5, 2024 Sosandar, the women’s fashion retailer, has signed a capex-free licensing agreement with Next for a homeware range. The licensing agreement, which requires no capital expenditure for Sosandar, will see the two companies extend their pre-existing agreement to sell clothing. Co-ceos Ali Hall and Julie Lavington said it was a “proud moment” for the Sosandar brand and [...]
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 [...]
Retail footfall returns to downward trend after September spike November 1, 2024 After a brief rise in September, retail footfall has fallen again in October, as the number of feet on Britain’s streets returns to its downward trend. Total UK footfall decreased by 1.1 per cent year on year in October, down from a rise of 3.3 per cent in September. Many in the sector, which has [...]
Next predicts £1bn profit after cold weather boosts sales October 30, 2024 Next has upgraded its profit forecast for the year to over £1bn after better-than-expected sales in its third quarter. The FTSE 100 retail giant, which is headquartered in Leicester, has upgraded its guidance from £995m to £1.005bn. In an update to the London Stock Exchange, Next said full price sales in the three months to 30 October [...]
Convenience stores issued £634m warning ahead of Budget October 29, 2024 A lobby group has warned convenience stores could be set for a huge bill next year as tax hikes are expected to be included in the Autumn Budget. The Association of Convenience Stores has said the sector will face a potential bill of £634m due to wage increases, plus changes to National Insurance contributions and [...]
Mothercare continues to struggle but announces fresh financing October 18, 2024 Baby products brand Mothercare has reported a drop in sales as it continues to struggle with post-pandemic demand, but has said its new deal with Indian giant reliance will help to shape a turnaround. The retailer said the decline was mainly due to “continuing challenges” in Middle East markets. It told markets this morning that [...]
Concern for British high street as sector set for four-fold tax rise in April October 16, 2024 The double effect of inflation-linked tax bumps, as well as the end of business rate relief for consumer-facing firms, will lead to a four-fold tax increase for high street businesses next April, industry bodies have warned. Industry leaders across the board have been increasingly vocal about the need for reform to business rate taxes, and have [...]
River Island ‘positive’ about future despite £30m losses October 10, 2024 High street retailer River Island has slipped into the red with a £30m loss before tax as it struggles to hold up against online competition and rising costs. The company reported a loss before tax of £32.3m in 2023, down from profit of £7.5m in 2022, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. Turnover fell [...]