Supermarkets slump as half of UK shoppers head to discounters December 17, 2013 FOR THE first time ever, more than half of the UK shopped in either an Aldi or Lidl in the last three months, putting pressure on bigger retailers as the shift toward discount shopping continues unabated. Sales at Aldi surged by 30.7 per cent in the 12 weeks to 8 December while its smaller discount rival [...]
Asda to expand George abroad as UK sales slow February 22, 2013 ASDA is to expand its fast-growing clothing brand George into Europe, Britain’s second largest supermarket revealed yesterday, as it reported a slowdown in fourth quarter sales. The Walmart-owned group said it will launch the brand’s UK website in 24 countries by September after George enjoyed “a record year”. It also plans to open more stores [...]
Income squeeze runs on despite boost to growth August 18, 2013 DISPOSABLE incomes for households are still declining, despite recent growth in the economy, and now stand £1 per week lower than they did in July last year. According to Asda’s income tracker, the average household had £160 per week of disposable income last month, in comparison to £161 in July 2012, and £165 at the [...]
Sainsbury’s to take Tesco ad fight to court October 29, 2013 J SAINSBURY has announced it is to take Tesco to court to seek a judicial review, after the UK’s advertising watchdog twice rejected the retailer’s complaint against Tesco’s price comparison campaign. Tesco’s Price Promise scheme, launched in March, compares the cost of thousands of own-branded products against Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s and offers a money-off [...]
Business bosses call for end to dithering on new runway plan November 19, 2013 DISGRUNTLED bosses have urged politicians to end their prolonged “dithering” on expanding Britain’s airports or face losing business to countries willing to allow more runways. More than a hundred corporate heads and business groups have signed the campaign to “Let Britain Fly”, which is backed by London First, the British Chambers of Commerce and the [...]
Cranswick signs £30m Asda deal January 31, 2013 Sausage-maker Cranswick said yesterday it has signed a deal to become Asda’s main fresh pork supplier thought to be worth around £30m. The news came as it posted a seven per cent rise in underlying third quarter revenue despite record pig prices in the UK. It said input costs rose during the quarter to 31 [...]
Sainsbury’s to open dark store to meet online demand October 13, 2013 J SAINSBURY is to open its first dark store to support fast-growing demand for its online grocery service in London and the south east. The dark store – so-called because it is not open to the public and only fulfils online orders – will open in Bromley-By-Bow, east London, within the next few years, the [...]
3D printing could spark high street revival says JP Morgan October 17, 2013 JP Morgan has suggested that 3D printing (3DP) is the trend to watch, although the short term impact will be limited. JP Morgan analysts who visited 'the future is here' exhibition concluded that 3DP should be watched closely and suggested that mall operators should focus on gaining more 3DP store tenants. A major factor in [...]
Businesses warn retail recovery isn’t sustainable as sales growth hits nine month high August 28, 2013 UK retail sales grew at the fastest annual pace in nine months in the year to August, while employment in the sector grew by the most in 11 years, according to survey data from the Confederation of British Industry. Nearly half (49 per cent) of retailers responding to the Distributive Trades Survey for August said [...]
Fastest retail sales rise in 15 months suggests higher GDP growth in third quarter September 25, 2013 UK retail sales are now growing at their fastest pace in 15 months in the year to September, according to the CBI. That's their third consecutive months of gains. The headline CBI distributive trades survey number has risen from 27 to 34. Analysts had been expecting a fall to 24. Now retail sales are expected [...]