John Lewis sales jump ahead of VAT hike January 14, 2011 Sales at department store chain John Lewis rocketed last week as shoppers rushed to buy furniture and electrical goods ahead of an increase in VAT sales tax. John Lewis, which also runs grocery chain Waitrose, said it also benefited from an extra day of holiday compared with the same week the year before, and from [...]
M&S sales rise but year ahead set to be harsh January 11, 2011 MARKS & SPENCER saw sales rise in the key Christmas period but the retailer warned that 2011 would be tough, with austerity measures and the spectre of inflation rises to take their toll. Same-store sales rose 2.8 per cent in the UK in the 13 weeks to 1 January despite the impact of the snow. [...]
Ocado sales increase but jury still out January 10, 2011 ONLINE grocer Ocado yesterday reported a 27 per cent sales rise in the four weeks to Christmas – but some analysts still questioned the company’s progress following a troubled float. The firm posted gross sales of £50.9m for the period, helped by more customers shopping online instead of going to supermarkets in freezing weather conditions. [...]
Ocado sales on track despite weather January 10, 2011 Online grocer Ocado reported a 26.7 per cent rise in December sales as the popularity of internet shopping and upmarket foods helped it to thrive despite disruption from severe winter weather. The loss-making group, whose shares have been on a roller-coaster ride since they floated in July, said the rise in December gross sales followed [...]
John Lewis boosted by Christmas sales surge January 5, 2011 JOHN Lewis Partnership reported bumper Christmas sales, despite the snowy conditions that robbed other retailers of a seasonal boost. Sales at its John Lewis department stores in the five weeks to 1 January were £545m, up 8.9 per cent from a year before. The strong performance was driven by its electrical and home technology department, [...]
FTSE 100 rebounds as banks rally and miners pare losses January 5, 2011 BRITAIN’S top shares rallied yesterday after employment data from the US showed the economic recovery was picking up steam, which helped miners and oil stocks pare losses and banks rally. The FTSE 100 closed up 29.99 points, or 0.5 per cent, at 6,043.86, bouncing off a session low of 5,964.43. Miners pared losses and oil [...]
Next update set to show snow losses January 3, 2011 SEVERAL consumer bellwethers are due to reveal Christmas trading figures this week, with Next, Domino’s Pizza and Clinton Cards kicking off the first reporting season of the year. Clothing retailer Next is due to reveal in a trading update on Wednesday how snow disruption and consumer spending pressures have affected sales over the 24 weeks [...]
Consumer confidence on the up, surveys show December 20, 2010 CONSUMER confidence and retail sales picked up in November and December, according to new data from surveys and retailers – but researchers are divided on whether the high will last. Research group Markit found 41 per cent of households it surveyed had spent more money this month than in December last year, and just 20 [...]
Retail sales rise in early week trade ahead of big freeze December 19, 2010 JOHN Lewis and Waitrose enjoyed near-record sales last week, despite the disruption of the snow. Waitrose admitted that sales were down on Saturday by 11 per cent, but a surge in spending earlier in the week more than made up for the effects of the weather. “From Monday onwards customers took the weather forecast seriously [...]
Chains boosted by festive spending on crisps and drink December 7, 2010 SALES of groceries at the major supermarket chains jumped in the final weeks of November, in a boost for the retail sector. J Sainsbury was the strongest performer with 6.8 per cent growth. There was 4.8 per cent growth on average across the board, according to the figures from retail analysts Nielsen. Chains outside the [...]