High street suffers Black Friday hangover as retail sales drop January 12, 2015 RETAILERS were hit by a slowdown in sales over Christmas after the Black Friday shopping bonanza pulled forward holiday spending into November. Like-for-like sales dropped by 0.4 per cent compared to the same month a year ago, according to the latest data from KPMG and the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Total sales were up one [...]
This Creme Egg is an imposter January 12, 2015 IT’S OFFICIAL – now the Christmas cards have been relegated to the sales racks, it’s Easter. And Creme Eggs are back on the menu – but not, it seems, as we knew them. Putting the Kraft into crafty, Cadbury’s US owner has changed the recipe behind our backs. The chocolate is no longer Dairy Milk. [...]
Energy shares drag Wall St – New York Report January 12, 2015 US SHARES fell yesterday, led by a decline in energy stocks as oil prices tumbled about five per cent and concern grew ahead of corporate earnings season. Oil prices continued their downward march and weighed on equities. Brent was down more than five per cent to $47.43 and US crude down 4.7 per cent at [...]
Black Friday: Why we didn’t spend more, we just spent earlier January 12, 2015 It wasn't just customers Black Friday 2014 took by surprise. Despite their heavy discounting, many retailers were unprepared for the frenzy that took place as shops opened. Words of abuse were exchanged, there were even punch-ups as consumers clamoured to get that last bargain flatscreen telly. And although the spending bonanza has helped lift sales [...]
AO World share price jumps as revenues rise on Black Friday bonanza January 12, 2015 The figures It was less a case of "Black Friday", more a case of "white goods Friday" for recently-listed AO World. Shares in the online washing machine/fridge/dishwasher retailer rose more than five per cent in early trading this morning, after it reported third quarter revenues from its website were up 38 per cent in the three [...]
Christmas party shoes give Kurt Geiger a boost as sales rise 26pc January 11, 2015 Footwear and accessories retailer Kurt Geiger reported a bumper Christmas yesterday, announcing 14 per cent growth in like-for-like sales for the 2014 festive period. Party shoes led the way, with footwear in its occasion category enjoying an increase in sales of 26 per cent and Kurt Geiger’s handbags proved a popular gift, with sales up [...]
Liam Gallagher’s Pretty Green lives up to its name with a rise in sales January 11, 2015 Liam Gallagher may not be at the top of the charts at the moment but he has proven he can sell clothes, with total sales in his clothing brand Pretty Green up 39 per cent in the six weeks to 31 December. Gallagher set up the Mod-style brand in 2009 and its latest results were [...]
Inflation falling after price wars over Christmas – London week ahead January 11, 2015 CONSUMER price inflation figures for December, due out tomorrow, will shine a light on to what extent falling oil prices and intense retail competition have boosted spending power in the UK. Analysts says the fall in inflation is likely to have been tempered by the fact that there was more retail discounting than usual in [...]
Jaeger latest upmarket retailer to stride ahead of high street January 9, 2015 Fashion retailer Jaeger strode ahead of its high street competitors, reporting stellar sales during the Christmas period. The upmarket brand said like-for-like sales jumped eight per cent in the 13 weeks to January. They were lifted by US-style discount days Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Total sales grew 8.3 per cent, with menswear posting impressive [...]
Why New Year needs a rebrand January 9, 2015 As the headache from the night before started to kick in, I had the opportunity to reflect on what a New Year really meant (as opposed to just felt like). I’m sure countless books have been written on the existential significance of turning a new page, yet I couldn’t help but wonder, from a [...]