Alan Monahan writes: A bouquet for the Federation of Small Businesses, which has once again turned the spotlight on retailers. This was prompted by a rise in employment to 75.4% – the highest level since records began – and a drop in the number of self-employed people by 30,000 to 4.76 million. It is independents
Total like-for-like in-store sales were down by -10.1% in March from a flat base last year, according to BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker. BDO said that the second worst month on record was primarily due to the severe winter weather. Footfall dropped by -3.3% over the four-day Easter weekend from Easter last year, but Springboard
The former head of Wickes, Iceland, Booker and Focus DIY, Bill Grimsey, has reopened the Grimsey Review of British retail, following on from his first research mission, published in 2013. Grimsey’s clarion call for the high street was partly triggered by the collapse of Toys R Us and Maplin as multiples wrestle with daunting new
Bill Grimsey launches high street review Read More »
Alan Monahan writes: If you run a small independent gift shop I’m sure you’ll have some customers who envy what you do. They figure that if you pass the time of day with nice people, selling them pretty things, it’s not a bad way to earn a living. They don’t know the half of it,
Retail Reflections: A ‘cushy life’ selling gifts – now here comes GDPR! Read More »
Alan Monahan writes: Not for the first time we’re being told that savvy retailers understand that success ultimately lies in their ability to gather, analyse and act on data about their customers’ preferences. But while those online in the UK are keenly interested in data, there is a looming barrier: nearly half have reported that
Retail Reflections: Online UK retailers see bigger picture; jobs for robots or people? Read More »
Spring Fair and Autumn Fair organiser Ascential has launched a strategic review of its exhibitions division as it announces plans to focus on its digital business. Press reports suggest that this could lead to the sale of its trade and consumer shows and generate between £250 million and £300 million. Its strong annual results revealed
Retail news round-up: Ascential shows ‘could be sold’; Bitcoin on high street Read More »
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