Retailers set for best Xmas sales since pre-crisis October 14, 2013 BRITISH retailers are set to enjoy their best growth in Christmas sales since the financial crisis, according to a report published yesterday that forecast consumers would spend at least £2bn more than in 2012. Market research specialist Verdict predicted that spending in the fourth quarter would rise 2.2 per cent from the same period in [...]
M&S shares rise despite further fall in clothing November 5, 2013 MARKS & Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland said efforts put into the new autumn and winter range were showing signs of paying off, as the retailer’s decline in general merchandise sales slowed slightly, pushing shares 4.5 per cent higher yesterday. The high street stalwart reported a 1.5 per cent decline in underlying general merchandise sales [...]
Amazon ready for busy Xmas September 24, 2013 ONLINE giant Amazon said yesterday it plans to hire 15,000 seasonal staff across its UK fulfilment and customer service centres, as it gears up to meet demand this Christmas. Last year the group hired 10,000 temporary staff across its eight UK warehouses and Edinburgh call centre, offering permanent roles to 1,000 of the staff at [...]
M&S sales continue to fall as Bolland has to hope for tenth time lucky November 5, 2013 Marks and Spencer has said this morning that its transformation is on track, although profits were 8.9 per cent lower at £261.1m during the six months to the end of September – the company's ninth reported loss. (Release) Analysts had predicted a 12 per cent decline in profits for the first half of the year, [...]
Government is making high streets suffer and the situation may worsen December 18, 2013 WHATEVER the chances of a last-minute Christmas shopping spree, the retail climate remains difficult. To assist troubled high streets, the chancellor’s Autumn Statement appeared to make a valiant effort to address complaints about business rates, long resented as an excessive tax burden on retailers. For the first time ever, the uniform business rate rise will [...]
Ebay benefits from increased use of PayPal for transactions October 16, 2013 ONLINE shopping giant eBay last night announced a strong rise in quarterly revenue, largely thanks a strong performance by money transfer service PayPal. Although eBay is best known for its online auction site, almost half of the company’s revenue now comes from its PayPal division which has 137m active registered users. Many third party companies now [...]
Summer sun boosts sales at Home Retail September 12, 2013 HOME Retail Group said yesterday that summer sunshine had delivered a big boost to sales at its DIY chain Homebase in the second quarter, and helped shift seasonal products at its biggest business, Argos. The company said like-for-like sales at Homebase rose by 11 per cent in the 13 weeks to 31 August, comfortably beating [...]
Royal Mail staff to go on strike in November October 16, 2013 ROYAL Mail staff will go on strike next month, after postmen and women yesterday voted overwhelmingly for a national walkout over pay and conditions. Shares in the recently privatised postal service dipped slightly after the Communication Workers Union (CWU) confirmed that staff would down tools for a 24 hour strike on 4 November. Royal Mail said it was [...]
Sainsbury’s unveils rise in Christmas sales January 9, 2013 Sainsbury’s saw a record number of customers over the Christmas period, as it reported a small rise in sales over its third quarter. In a trading statement this morning, the supermarket posted an increase of 3.9 per cent in total sales over the 14 weeks to 5 January, while sales at stores open longer than [...]
CNBC Comment: Caution reigns over Fed taper decision October 28, 2013 WITH Christmas just around the corner (according to one retail analyst, seasonal merchandise has been on the shelves since early August – a new record), markets are now focusing on the final quarter of the year. The Federal Open Market Committee’s meeting tomorrow will be closely watched for hints about how far away the Fed’s [...]