Ocado outperforms its rivals during Christmas and sees sales rise 15pc January 14, 2015 ONLINE grocer Ocado yesterday announced that it had outperformed its traditional supermarket rivals over Christmas, adding it was confident about prospects in 2015 despite an escalating price war. The firm, whose range includes products supplied by upmarket grocer Waitrose, said sales growth in December continued at the rate it achieved in the final quarter of [...]
Amazon Black Friday deals deliver busiest day ever as shoppers surge online ahead of Cyber Monday November 29, 2014 It's not even Cyber Monday yet, but Amazon has clocked up its busiest ever day of sales in the UK thanks to Black Friday, selling 64 items every second yesterday. Shoppers ordered more than 5.5 million items such as TVs, tablets and toys with huge price reductions, beating last year’s Black Friday sales of four [...]
Amazon takes one in every four pounds spent on physical music, film and games January 26, 2015 One in every four pounds spent in Britain on physical music, games and videos in the run-up to Christmas went to Amazon, figures out this morning show. For the 12 weeks to December 21, Amazon dominated the world of entertainment, with 39 per cent of all the sector's purchases being made with the etailer [...]
In pictures: Inside Leeds’ new Netto store November 6, 2014 It was several months ago that Sainsbury's decided if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, and launched a tie-up with Danish discounter Netto. Today, the first of 15 new stores opened in Leeds. Lest we forget, the retailer beat a retreat from the UK market back in 2010, selling its 193 stores to Asda for [...]
How BHS’ food offerings could unseat Asda and Morrisons March 24, 2014 Sir Philip Green has come knocking at the major supermarkets’ door with plans to launch the first trial food outlet within a BHS department store this week. The retail tycoon, who is eyeing around 150 openings, aims “to be competitive” within the convenience food sector and undercut the big four by around 10 per cent [...]
Sainsbury’s eyes dividend cuts as profits set to fall November 10, 2014 Spending cuts, including a reduction in its dividend, are tipped to be on the agenda for Sainsbury’s on Wednesday as the supermarket prepares to rein in costs along with its first-half results. Analysts expect chief executive Mike Coupe will reveal a disappointing 12.5 per cent fall in profits to £350m for the period, as the [...]
Asda staff in line for £28m bonus February 27, 2014 Asda is to pay out £27.8m in staff bonuses today, with some employees receiving up to £500 after the Walmart-owned chain published results last week showing a slowdown in fourth quarter sales. Some 142,600 staff who have worked over six months at Asda will receive a bonus of up to £320 while 14,000 colleagues from [...]
Home Retail and TfL take Argos underground at Cannon Street Tube station November 25, 2014 Commuters will now be able to pick up everything from laptops and televisions to furniture as they hop on the Tube after Argos launched its first Underground store yesterday. The retailer’s parent company Home Retail Group has signed a partnership with Transport for London to open a store “the size of a large family kitchen” [...]
Brent crude oil falls below $50 January 7, 2015 The price of Brent crude oil has dipped below $50-a-barrel mark for the first time in five and a half years, marking a symbolic moment for oil. The black stuff fell another two per cent this morning to $49.99 a barrel. Yesterday Brent crude dipped to $51.12, following a six per cent fall on Monday, [...]
Black Friday UK 2014 vs 2013: Live graph reveals how insane this year’s frenzy is as more retailers get on board November 28, 2014 Is it us, or has Black Friday gone crazy this year? There have been reports of punch-ups at supermarkets and even someone breaking their wrist in the clamour to get hold of a cheap telly. And as if we didn't already need a reminder of the sheer American-ness of it all, Asda has laid on [...]