UK e-commerce sector ranks third in the world July 22, 2021 The UK’s e-commerce sector ranks third globally when comparing sales to national GDP. According to BNPL platform Butter, The UK’s e-commerce retail sales total up to $180bn dollars, which equates to 6.7 per cent of the nation’s GDP of $2.7 trillion. The world’s biggest e-commerce retail market is China, which generated $2.3 trillion through online [...]
Next ups full-year forecasts as heatwave spurs Brits to summer shop July 21, 2021 British retailer Next is upping its full-year financial forecasts as consumers have flocked to stores in recent weeks to get their hands on clothing fit for the UK’s heatwave. The rosy outlook stoked confidence in investors as its shares rocketed in its early trading and held up highs of 8.2 per cent in the afternoon, [...]
London Mayor announces funding for capital’s high streets post-pandemic July 21, 2021 The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced funding for 35 projects across London to ensure the protection of the capital’s high streets post-pandemic. The high streets of London were heavily impacted by the pandemic. The British Retail Consortium estimate there are about 5,000 fewer shops since the pandemic started. The high streets have also [...]
Mulberry returns to profit despite store closures July 21, 2021 Fashion house Mulberry returned to a profit of £5.9m after suffering a £14.2m loss last year, as online sales growth and a “strong recovery” in the UK helped compensate for pandemic store closures. Digital sales rose to £56.4m in the full year to 27 March – up 55 per cent from £36.3m in 2020, the [...]
Summer DIY builds up Wickes sales above pre-pandemic levels July 21, 2021 Supply store Wickes has seen like-for-like growth lift more than 22 per cent on pre-pandemic levels, as the UK’s warm weather pushes DIY’s lockdown momentum to continue. The Watford-headquartered retailer said that its sales lift in the 26 weeks to 26 June was driven by DIY and local trade. Physicals sales were up 33.1 per [...]
Covid pastimes: Jigsaws and crafts continue to carry retailer The Works’ sales July 20, 2021 Toys and stationary retailer The Works has continued to have its sales buoyed by consumer lockdown activities in recent weeks, with jigsaws, arts and crafts remaining popular throughout the pandemic. The retailer was hit by severe store closures earlier on in the year but is returning to growth, as sales have lifted 13 per cent [...]
HMV backs the High Street by putting in place plans for 10 new stores July 20, 2021 Music and entertainment retailer HMV has announced plans that it plans to open 10 new stores as it continues to show faith in the High Street. It includes plans for a flagship London site. Following its decline into administration two years ago its Oxford Street store – along with many others – were closed. However, [...]
Wholesale group Supreme bets revenues on vaping amid lockdown growth July 20, 2021 Wholesale provider Supreme, the company behind 88Vape, has seen its revenue for the smoking alternative alone lift 36 per cent as lockdown smokers tried to kick the habit. The company’s total preliminary revenue was up 33 per cent at £122.3m in the year to 31 March, up from £92.3m in the year prior. Gross profits [...]
Companies boosted by Covid rank among the worst market performers July 19, 2021 Companies boosted by the onset of the Covid crisis rank among the worst performers on the market over the last year. Takeaway delivery company Just Eat Takeaway.com has benefitted from a surge in orders since the arrival of the virus as a result of Brits rushing to find substitutes to dining out during lockdowns. However, [...]
Carr’s lifts full-year expectations after boosts to agriculture and engineering July 19, 2021 Agriculture and engineering group Carr’s board has announced a lift to its full-year trading expectations today after a strong quarter. Speciality agriculture continues to perform strongly across the UK, USA, and Europe in the 20 weeks to 17 July. Carr’s put the growth down to buoyant livestock prices and the recovery of its animal health [...]