Retail sales growth slumps in October as consumers remain cautious November 5, 2024 Retail sales growth dipped in October due to pre-election anxiety, the latest figures have shown. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-KPMG sales monitor, retail sales in the UK increased by 0.6 per cent year over year in October, compared to 2.6 per cent growth in October 2023. Food sales nudged up 2.9 per cent [...]
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 [...]
Schuh has created over 1,000 jobs since lowest pandemic ebb November 4, 2024 Schuh has created almost 400 jobs in its latest financial year to push its headcount past where it was before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. The Scotland-headquartered footwear retailer employed 4,369 people at the end of its latest financial year, up from its total of 3,975 in the prior 12 months. Until the end of its [...]
Mike Ashley defeated: What’s next for Boohoo and will Frasers billionaire seek revenge? November 1, 2024 Retail tycoon Mike Ashley has experienced a rare taste of defeat after fast-fashion giant Boohoo resisted his attempt to become its new chief executive by tapping the boss of Debenhams. Dan Finley is to step into the role which is being vacated by John Lyttle whose departure was announced last month. Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group [...]
Amazon shares soar as it shatters Wall Street forecasts November 1, 2024 Amazon’s shares jumped over six per cent in after-hours trading after the e-commerce giant breezed past third quarter expectations. The boost from investors would lift the Seattle-headquartered company’s market cap, which currently stands at $1.95t, beyond the $2t mark. It posted quarterly revenue of $158.9bn (£123.3bn), beating analyst predictions of $157.2bn (£121.9bn), and a year [...]
Andy Murray-backed Castore slumps to loss despite sales surge October 31, 2024 Castore, the British sportswear brand backed by the likes of Sir Andy Murray and the billionaire Issa brothers, has slumped to a loss despite its sales jumping by £75m. The Manchester-headquartered business has reported a pre-tax loss of £28.8m for the year to 4 February, 2024, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. The loss [...]
Selfridges sinks further into the red as sales at luxury department store falter October 31, 2024 Luxury department store chain Selfridges has lost more than £400m since it last made a pre-tax profit, it has been revealed. The business, which has UK stores in London, Birmingham and two in Manchester, passed the milestone after falling to a £41.9m loss in the year to 3 February, 2024. It comes after Selfridges previously [...]
Sensodyne and ‘power brands’ help Haleon grow revenue and profit October 31, 2024 Consumer healthcare company Haleon has reported growth across all its categories and regions in its third quarter amid healthy toothpaste and mouthwash sales. In the three months ended 30 September, 2024, it achieved organic revenue and organic profit growth of 6.1 per cent and 7.4 per cent, respectively, off the back of strong sales of its [...]
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 [...]
JD Sports sells its majority stake in Rebecca Adlington-founded company October 29, 2024 JD Sports has sold its majority stake in a company founded by former Olympic swimmers Steve Parry, Rebecca Adlington and Adrian Turner. The Greater Manchester-headquartered retail giant, through its subsidiary JD Gyms, has held a 60 per cent stake in Bolton-based Total Swimming Group since a deal in 2022. At the time, the initial cash [...]