West End retailers go to town on promotions to ensure expected £150m Black Friday boost November 21, 2018 Retail sales on London’s busiest shopping streets are expected to see a £150m boost over the Black Friday weekend amid challenging conditions on the high street, according to a trade group representing retailers in the area. Sales are expected to equal those of last year among around 600 retailers on Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, [...]
Christmas chaos expected as union announces two-day Central Line strike on 21 and 22 December November 21, 2018 Drivers on the Central Line will strike for two days just before Christmas as a dispute between unions and Transport for London (TfL) rumbles on. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) will walk-out from 8pm on 21 December to 2am on 22 December. Strike action will resume at 4am on the 22 December before [...]
Online sales are set to hit record levels on Black Friday as high street footfall declines November 21, 2018 The proportion of sales made online is likely to hit its highest level ever in November, boosted by a Black Friday internet shopping rush and fewer high street shoppers. Internet sales are expected to exceed 20 per cent of total retail sales for the first time ever this month, according to research by real estate firm [...]
DEBATE: As discounts get out-of-control, is there a case for retailers to ignore Black Friday altogether? November 21, 2018 As discounts get out-of-control, is there a case for retailers to ignore Black Friday altogether? Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday, says YES. Black Friday started off as a day when consumers could enjoy making great purchases, but now it has just become a day for deep discounting – and that is incredibly damaging to small [...]
Interiors: Why you should go the extra mile this Christmas and make your own wreath November 20, 2018 As golden leaves flutter and fall, it’s time to get all fired up about decorating for the festive season. From a stunning wreath on the front door, to scented table pieces, to traditional garlands snaking their way up the bannisters, it’s the stylish and fragrant way to add seasonal cheer, and chuck the potted cacti [...]
Weekly sales slump at John Lewis ahead of crucial Christmas period November 20, 2018 John Lewis Partnership has suffered its second consecutive week of tumbling sales, in a downturn that the retailer will be hoping to reverse as it enters Black Friday and the Christmas shopping season. Britain’s largest department store chain said today that total sales in the week to 17 November had plunged 6.8 per cent year-on-year, [...]
John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, or M&S? Whose Christmas ad was best this year November 20, 2018 So this is Christmas. And what have you done? Another year over, and the festive ads just begun. Yes, ’tis the season for brands to splash the cash on fancy holiday-themed adverts in hope of attracting that sweet Christmas shopping revenue. Retailer John Lewis has been the reigning champion of the season for the past [...]
Twitter picks a man named John Lewis as the star of its new Christmas advert November 20, 2018 Every year, a man named John Lewis in Virginia receives over 50,000 tweets intended for UK department store John Lewis and Partners. This year, he's been made the star of Twitter's Christmas advert. Lewis secured the Twitter username @JohnLewis in 2007, and has become known for his witty responses to people who confuse him for [...]
All I want for Christmas… is for retailers to get real and rethink their festive ads November 20, 2018 TV has long been a staple of Christmas advertising, highlighted by the millions of people who look forward to the annual John Lewis spot. This year, the retailer reportedly spent millions of pounds on a cameo from Elton John, though it is being tight-lipped about exactly how much. However, while the department store’s festive offering [...]
Bonmarche maintains dividend despite lower store sales shredding profits in half November 20, 2018 Retailer Bonmarche laid bare its high street struggles today after a recent profit warning, revealing that store sales fell in the first six months to the end of September despite a boost to online income. The figures Revenue came in flat in its half-year results compared to the same period last year at £97.9m. In-store like-for-like sales dropped [...]