How Brits (and businesses) fell in love with the humble retail park September 20, 2023 On the outskirts of every bustling town and city lies the reliable, yet boring, retail park. But, as dull as they may be, retail parks are having their moment in the sun.
Till sales surge as retailers boosted by sunny September and back to school deals September 19, 2023 A bout of unusually hot weather in early September helped hike grocery sales at UK supermarkets, with total till sales surging 10.3 per cent in the last four weeks ending 9 September. According to data from NIQ, the figure rose up from 7.2 per cent during the wet July and early August, which deterred shoppers [...]
M&S turned it around and is now in FTSE 100. Here’s why John Lewis is so far off September 14, 2023 The John Lewis Partnership has had a torrid day, following an announcement it will push its turnaround plan back by two years. It’s the latest bit of bad news that has seen it fall further behind rival Marks and Spencer, whose high street revival recently raised its profit outlook after pivoting towards clothing and homeware. [...]
Lidl swings to loss of £76m as fight to keep prices low offset by surging costs September 14, 2023 Discount supermarket chain Lidl has revealed its British arm swung to an annual loss after battling to keep a lid on prices as its costs rose “across the board”. The group reported pre-tax losses of £76 million for the year to February 28 against profits of £41.1 million the previous year as it also invested [...]
John Lewis pushes turnaround plan back two years as losses narrow September 14, 2023 Losses at John Lewis have shrunk but the struggling retailer warned that its ambitious partnership plans have been pushed back two years.
Grocery price inflation drops to its lowest level in over a year September 12, 2023 Grocery price inflation dropped to its lowest level in over 12 months, falling 12.2 per cent for the four weeks to September, new data shows.
Lidl opens its largest ever warehouse in Luton September 5, 2023 Lidl has opened its biggest warehouse worldwide, which is worth £300m, in Luton creating over 1,000 new jobs. The German discounter said the 1.2m sq ft site in Houghton Regis, Luton, will service 150 stores and open up 1,500 new positions. The regional distribution centre (RDC) will feature solar panels that are set to generate [...]
Ocado unveils price cuts on 200 goods as shares rise slightly August 23, 2023 Ocado’s share price grew just under one per cent on Wednesday following news it would slash prices on 200 more goods to entice customers. In recent months the tech-driven supermarket, which is owned as part of a joint venture with M&S, has been distancing itself from its reputation as an upmarket grocer with the brand [...]
Tesco to swap cheaper product lines into convenience shops August 11, 2023 Tesco is to swap cheaper product lines into its convenience stores as shoppers battle the rising cost of living. It revealed that more than 50 everyday products in its smaller Express shops will be replaced by better priced alternatives, many from its own-brand range. The move comes as German discounter rivals Aldi and Lidl have [...]
Food promotions now make up 22.5 per cent of grocery sales – and it’s up a fifth from last year July 25, 2023 Promotions on food and other items now account for 22.5 per cent of grocery sales, as Brits continue to seek out bargains amid the cost of living crisis. The figure has risen from 20 per cent last year in the same period last year and is the highest over the past 12 months excluding Christmas and [...]