Tag: Retail Sector



Good News for the High Street as April Sales Growth hits Ten Year High

Posted on 21 May, 2014 by Kirsten Kennedy under Economy

The warm spring weather appears to have encouraged many consumers to hit the high street as personal finances improve. Yet April did not just see retailers benefit on an individual level, as the retail industry as a whole enjoyed the strongest monthly leap in... Read More

Marks & Spencer announces Third Consecutive Annual Profits Fall

Posted on 20 May, 2014 by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

Competition on the high street has become increasingly intense leading to many brands offering numerous promotions in order to win back customers from rivals. Unfortunately, while this has seen brands such as Next and River Island thrive, others such as Marks... Read More

Home Furnishings Retailer Paul Simon to close all Remaining Stores

Posted on by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

Although the recession may be over, and the retail industry gradually recovering from one of the worst downturns in living memory, there is no guarantee of financial security for retailers in the increasingly competitive 21st century. Home furnishings... Read More

Only One Third of Retailers are Benefiting from Social Media

Posted on 18 May, 2014 by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

Although online initiatives such as social media can play a huge part in marketing strategies for small businesses, it can be difficult for retailers to pinpoint a technique which works for them in terms of improving sales. This has become abundantly... Read More

Dixons and Carphone Warehouse confirm Merger Agreement

Posted on 15 May, 2014 by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

Back in February, it was announced that merger talks were taking place between Dixons Retail and Carphone Warehouse. Now, these talks have concluded successfully, with each of the retail powerhouses agreeing to merge in a deal worth £3.8... Read More

Furniture and Flooring boost Easter Retail Sales

Posted on 14 May, 2014 by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News, Economy

The retail industry is currently benefiting from a number of improvements in the UK economy, with a drop in inflation and a climb in real wage growth combining to encourage a lift in consumer spending. This saw sales rise strongly over Easter, with furniture... Read More

Sainsbury’s reports Annual Profits Rise despite Competition from Discounters

Posted on 7 May, 2014 by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

The supermarket sector has become one of the most competitive in retail of late, largely due to the influx of discount brands eating into the market share of Britain’s traditional “Big Four” chains. Yet while analysts were concerned that this would lead... Read More

Turnaround Plan begins to yield results for Home Retail Group

Posted on 3 May, 2014 by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

Only a couple of years ago, industry analysts were predicting a Woolworths-style exit from the retail industry for Home Retail Group’s Argos and Homebase brands. The recession, teamed with poor weather over the summer and a rise in popularity for internet... Read More

Morrisons reveals Price War plans

Posted on 2 May, 2014 by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

Last of the Big Four enters the fray The supermarket sector has become deeply embroiled in a price war, with Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s all having revealed intentions to drop prices in the past month in a bid to win back consumers from budget competitors.... Read More

Analysts predict Sainsbury’s Price War Entrance

Posted on 1 May, 2014 by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

With Sainsbury’s full year results to be released next week, the question on analyst’s lips is whether the brand will have been negatively affected by its first quarterly sales decline in nine years. Although analysts at Deutsche Bank believe the retailer... Read More