Author: Dave Antrobus
Recent data reveals a surprising slump in back-to-school sales as non-food purchases decline by 1.7% year on year.Families increasingly opt for second-hand alternatives, impacting traditional retail sectors.High street sales have significantly declined, while online sales show moderate improvement.Education-related tech purchases see a boost, yet clothing and footwear categories underperform.Retailers face uncertainty with potential tax adjustments and rising energy costs on the horizon.In a striking development, recent data reports a 1.7% decline in non-food sales over the three months leading up to 24 August, compared to the same period last year. This downturn surpasses the average 12-month decline of 2%, illustrating…
Gymshark is set to open its first permanent store outside the UK at Dubai Mall.The decision follows the success of Gymshark’s flagship London and Westfield Stratford City stores.The Dubai store will enhance the brand’s presence, supported by localised e-commerce initiatives.Partnership with Al Tayer Insignia facilitates the move into the fitness-focused city of Dubai.Gymshark’s founder highlights the strategic importance of this expansion outside the UK.Gymshark, the prominent UK activewear brand, has announced an exciting expansion plan with the opening of its first permanent store outside the United Kingdom at Dubai Mall in the United Arab Emirates. This strategic move comes after…
John Lewis has categorically denied plans for further job cuts, responding to claims made in The Times.An article in The Times suggested that John Lewis was consulting 7,000 staff about potential redundancies.John Lewis firmly refuted these claims, confirming only 153 roles were affected, as previously announced.The retail giant emphasised its ongoing commitment to minimal redundancies and internal job reallocations.This statement comes amidst planned leadership changes, with Jason Tarry set to become chairman.On 1 September, The Times published a report suggesting significant job cuts at John Lewis, stating that 7,000 shop floor staff were under consultation. The piece attributed this information…
Little Mistress, a renowned online womenswear brand, is venturing into physical retail with plans to open pop-up stores in prominent London areas.Founder Mark Ashton views establishing a retail presence as crucial for better showcasing the brand’s offerings.The brand aims to balance its online and offline strategy while ensuring flexible lease agreements with landlords.Little Mistress, known for collaborations and white-label creations, sees this move as essential amidst current fashion retail dynamics.Following its acquisition by Poeticgem, Little Mistress aims to leverage new opportunities in global design and distribution.Little Mistress, a distinguished online women’s occasionwear brand, announced its strategic initiative to broaden its…
The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) and Crisis are testing a new clothing recycling initiative.This trial is located in Crisis stores in Peckham and Elephant & Castle, London, until late September.The initiative aims to educate customers on differentiating between rewearable and non-rewearable garments.UK households own over 1.6 billion unworn clothing items that could be reused or recycled.The project seeks to enhance textile recycling frameworks within the ACT UK project.In a proactive step towards sustainability, the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) has joined forces with the homelessness charity Crisis to trial an innovative instore recycling scheme. This initiative, currently…
Recent developments indicate a shift in the UK fashion scene as some Danish brands reduce their presence.Ganni closes its UK office, looking to Paris as their new strategic hub.Wood Wood and Han Kjøbenhavn halt their physical UK operations amid economic pressures.Retailers report mixed success with Scandinavian brands, citing over-saturation and high costs.UK’s lack of VAT-free shopping and high operating costs drive brands to more profitable markets.In a notable shift, several prominent Danish fashion brands are scaling back their UK operations. This trend is highlighted by the recent closure of Ganni’s London office, signalling a pivot towards Paris as a global…
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned ads for brands Zoe and Huel.The decision follows misleading endorsements by entrepreneur Steven Bartlett.Bartlett’s roles with the brands were not disclosed, influencing ASA’s ruling.Consumers were potentially misled by the lack of transparency in these ads.Both companies have acknowledged the ASA’s decision and provided assurances.The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has recently imposed a ban on online advertisements for nutrition brands Zoe and Huel, following endorsements by Steven Bartlett that were deemed misleading. The affected adverts, shared on Facebook, were published between February and March and featured quotes from Bartlett, famed for his role in…
Aldi has announced the cessation of its click-and-collect service, effective 18 August, to maintain competitive pricing.The supermarket aims to enhance store efficiency and continue offering affordable products to customers.The decision follows the termination of home delivery for Specialbuys and beverages earlier this year.Aldi is investing heavily in brick-and-mortar expansions with plans for 100 new London stores.The retailer’s strategy includes a significant £550m investment to reach a target of 1,500 UK stores.Aldi has officially decided to discontinue its click-and-collect service on 18 August, a decision driven by the goal to provide customers with the “lowest possible prices.” This operational shift is…
The Annual Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rate increased to 2.2% in July 2024, surpassing the Bank of England’s 2% target.Recent data highlights a 3.1% rise in CPI including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) compared to last year.Utility expenses, particularly gas and electricity, are primary contributors to this inflationary change.Retailers face challenges as business rates correlate with rising headline inflation figures.A call to action has been made for the government to reconsider longstanding business rate strategies.The latest figures, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show that the Annual Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rate rose to 2.2% in…
Primark intensifies its US presence with a targeted campaign.The retailer began its American journey in 2015 with a Boston store.The ambitious goal is 60 US stores by 2026, with 25 currently open.”That’s So Primark” campaign aims to boost brand recognition.The campaign features engaging films highlighting Primark’s unique shopping experience.Primark has embarked on a strategic initiative to enhance its visibility in the United States through the “That’s So Primark” campaign. This effort is part of a broader ambition to expand its footprint in the American market, aiming for 60 operational stores by 2026, building upon the current count of 25.In 2015,…
