‘Reason for cautious optimism’: UK consumer confidence rebound on cards January 20, 2025 Consumer confidence is set for a pick-up this year as the economy starts to improve and the UK adjusts to higher costs, according to a new survey. While the end of last year was gloomy for both businesses and consumers, analysts at Deloitte have said there is “reason for cautious optimism” going into the summer. [...]
Former Asda and M&S boss Lord Rose: WFH is ‘not doing proper work’ January 20, 2025 The increase in home work has created a generation who are “not doing proper work,” according to the former boss of Asda and Marks & Spencer. Speaking to BBC Panorama, Lord Rose said more working from home was a part of the UK economy’s “general decline” and that productivity was suffering as a result. “We [...]
‘Horrified’: All Saints founder slams Shein for fast-fashion practices January 18, 2025 The founder of British clothing brand All Saints has said he would be “horrified” if fast-fashion firm Shein is allowed to list in London, describing the Chinese-founded company as the “worst” offender in the sector. “Fast fashion really has changed the whole industry, because it’s now like a race to the bottom… The planet cannot [...]
Superdrug hails record Christmas as sales surge January 17, 2025 Superdrug has hailed its Christmas trading as its best ever after sales rose by more than five per cent in the final weeks of 2024. The high street retailer said it was boosted by one gift set being sold every second throughout December. Own Brand top sellers included the Studio London Ultimate Brush Collection, the [...]
Retail’s Christmas results don’t match up to the gloom in the market January 17, 2025 If you were to judge the health of the retail market solely from the last two weeks of festive trading results, you would think the market is in rude health. But that would be a significant departure from the actual sentiment in the market, which has taken on a sense of almost unrelenting gloom in [...]
UK retail sales plunged in December as Budget fallout spread January 17, 2025 UK retail sales dropped during December, despite expectations of a Christmas bounce as consumers pulled back on spending. In a worrying sign for the economy, retail sales fell 0.3 per cent in December. Analysts had pencilled in growth of 0.4 per cent. November’s retail sales growth was also revised down by the Office for National [...]
Luxury stocks boom as Richemont kicks off reporting season with a bang January 16, 2025 Luxury stocks across the world have been given a boost by Cartier-owner Richemont’s booming sales figures this morning. Richemont’s report, the first set of luxury results covering the festive season, indicated that the luxury market may finally be recovering from a slowdown that has lasted nearly two years. Revenue from jewellery, Richemont’s biggest division, rose [...]
Deliveroo: Push into retail and groceries drives growth January 16, 2025 Deliveroo has said its retail and grocery partnerships drove growth in the last quarter of the year despite a still-tough trading environment. Its share price rose nearly five per cent in early trades. The delivery company launched its on-demand grocery service in March 2020, and has since partnered with a range of brands, with companies [...]
Poundland owner Pepco vows to turn around discount retailer as sales fall January 16, 2025 The owner of Poundland has vowed to get the discount retailer back on track after its performance dragged on the wider Pepco Group. In the first quarter of its financial year, the final three months of 2024, Poundland’s sales totalled €563m (£474.5m), down 9.3 per cent year on year on a constant currency basis. That [...]
Dunelm sales tick up but shares drop January 16, 2025 Homewares retailer Dunelm has reported solid trading results which were ahead of the wider retail market for the golden quarter. Investors weren’t convinced, however, and its share price dropped nearly four per cent in early trades. Sales at the Leicester-headquartered business grew 1.6 per cent to £490m in the 13 weeks to December 28 in [...]
