Retail Week
Mark Faithfull
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Retail developments: Reigniting stalled schemes
1-May-2012
The freeze in the development pipeline has switched the focus from the UK’s biggest retail centres to those that are under-served. Mark Faithfull considers some of the opportunities around the country. -
Retailers and landlords: Lease conflict time bomb
1-May-2012
Retailers and landlords remain in disputes over pre-packs, downscaling, and now monthly rents. Meanwhile, a lease time bomb is ticking, warns Mark Faithfull. However, it could spell good news for retailers. -
Supermarkets: Realigning store spend
1-May-2012
Tesco will not take January’s profit warning lying down and as it reappraises its store offer the implications will be felt across the grocery sector. Mark Faithfull looks at how supermarkets are realigning their store spend. -
Store design: Innovative lighting strategies
2-Apr-2012
As a sector that can genuinely claim to be in the midst of revolution, lighting strategies have been transformed by technological innovation, but it’s not all about LEDs as Mark Faithfull discovers. -
Designer outlets: Design of the times
24-Feb-2012
Designer outlets have been a standout success during the downturn but with the UK being Europe’s most mature market, the sector is having to evolve to meet consumer requirements. Mark Faithfull reports. -
London 2012: will retailers benefit?
24-Feb-2012
You don’t need a ticket to gain extra sales from this year’s Olympic Games but, as Mark Faithfull reports, not all retailers stand to benefit from the events taking place in the UK this summer. -
The big picture of development
24-Feb-2012
The scale of development in the UK and the rest of Europe is polarising. With a handful of plans for mega schemes in the pipeline, and other boutique and niche projects being pushed forward, Mark Faithfull considers whether the middle ground has been squeezed out. -
The race for space
24-Feb-2012
Development of major new retail space has all but stalled, leaving UK retailers chasing a dwindling supply of large, prime space. Mark Faithfull asks whether the imbalance will force expansion strategies to change. -
Parks and recreation
29-Nov-2011
Harvester pub restaurants, banks and ‘health villages’ are popping up where once stood DIY stores and furniture shops. Mark Faithfull asks what such changes mean for the world of retail parks -
How can in store music increase sales?
September 30 2011
Forget piped muzak, audio in the retail space can be honed to reflect the brand, enhance the customer experience and reinforce consumer aspirations, promoting higher sales – so long as it’s done right, warns Mark Faithfull -
European expansion
September 16 2011
With no new developments opening in the UK next year, many of the more expansionist retailers are looking across the Channel for growth. They will find some markets in robust form, says Mark Faithfull -
Searching for new footfall drivers
September 16 2011
A shift in the number of anchor tenants available and consumer desire for differentiation means shopping centres are searching for different footfall drivers. But Mark Faithfull questions whether the UK’s most-wanted retail tenants will look beyond the big cities and shopping centres -
Why leisure is becoming more important than ever
September 16 2011
Leisure components have become embedded in the fabric of most decent-sized shopping centres but just why are restaurants, cinemas and gyms becoming more important than ever? Mark Faithfull reports -
The floor is all yours
July 1 2011
Floor coverings might not be the first thing a retailer thinks about when envisaging a shiny new store format or reviving a tired shop, but few elements of a store interior can make such a dramatic difference or enable a store to hit this year’s on-trend quite so definitely. -
The innovation generation
July 1 2011
Tough times in the retail sector have undoubtedly reduced R&D budgets but the industry continues to prove itself capable of genuine innovation. By Mark Faithfull -
Westfield reveals plans for £1bn White City extension
28-Jun-2011
Consultation on Westfield’s plans for a new £1bn mixed-use quarter directly to the north of the Westfield London shopping centre in White City, west London, has begun. -
Usdaw to raise concerns about Life & Style with Government
27-Jun-2011
Shopworkers union Usdaw is writing to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to detail concerns over the running of fashion and homewares chain Life & Style and its predecessor company Ethel Austin. -
Hard-pressed shoppers turn to cash and debit cards
27-Jun-2011
Cautious customers are turning from credit cards to cash and debit cards to better manage their finances research from the BRC showed. -
Portas to meet Tesco boss Brasher
27-Jun-2011
Mary Portas, the TV personality appointed by Prime Minister David Cameron to advise on the future of the high street, will start work this week with the first of a series of high-level meetings with the UK’s top retailers. -
Retail schemes: A zero-sum game?
7-Jun-2011
The development pipeline has almost ground to a halt and, as Mark Faithfull discovers, more realism from councils and retailers will be required if schemes are to see the light of day. -
Heron Foods sales rise but profits take a blow
19-May-2011
Frozen food retailer Heron Foods has recorded a rise in sales but a drop in pre-tax profits, as higher operational costs hit the grocer. -
Asda promotes quality agenda amid flat sales
19-May-2011
Asda has pledged to extend its investment in product quality, complementing its established credentials on price. -
Inflation jumps to 4.5% in April
17-May-2011
Inflation jumped to 4.5% in April, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). -
Asda invests a further £27m to bolster fresh food
17-May-2011
Asda is to invest a further £27m in quality improvements across its fresh food business, with “market-leading quality specifications” introduced across all its fresh meat and produce categories as it seeks to further boost sales. -
London shops on high alert after bomb threat
17-May-2011
Shopping centres and major retail destinations were on high alert this morning after Irish terrorists threatened to bomb London as the Queen visits Dublin today. -
High street faces “difficult decade” warns thinktank
16-May-2011
Retailers face a decade of challenging trading conditions, with consumer spending below pre-recessionary peaks for at least another two years and modest longer-term growth over the next decade, according to the latest Ernst & Young Item Club report. -
Facilities Management: At your service?
March 11 2011
Improving both performance and cost effectiveness of facilities management strategies is the goal for many retailers, but honing the right solution remains mired in challenges. Mark Faithfull reports -
Come buy with me at airports and rail concourses
March 4 2011
Airports and rail concourses are being reinvented as retail destinations across the UK. Mark Faithfull looks at the retail opportunities as operators map out their new strategies -
The shop of the new
24-Feb-2011
Many of Europe’s biggest store equipment manufacturers will launch their next generation products at EuroShop. Mark Faithfull looks at some of the innovations to be unveiled in Düsseldorf -
The big shop
Retail Week Interiors, December 2010
Held every three years, EuroShop remains a massive event on the retail design calendar and the organiser is promising that technology and sustainability will lead the way in 2011. -
Pop and go
November 12 2010
Pop-up shops have become an effective consumer touch-point for brands, a convenient way of filling space and creating a dynamic environment. But is the fizz going out of pop, asks Mark Faithfull -
Property and retail industry bosses call for change in lease structures
3-Nov-2010
One of the UK’s best known fashion retail chains and one of the country’s largest retail developers both called for change in lease structures at the BCSC annual conference in Manchester this week. -
Delivering a decade of top shopping destinations
October 29 2010
What is it that makes a great shopping development? Over the next five pages Mark Faithfull highlights the best of the past decade -
How online is changing the outlet model
October 29 2010
EBay has made clear its ambitions for its online fashion outlet store. What does that mean for physical outlet centres? Mark Faithfull reports -
The shop of the new
October 29 2010
Technology-astute, value conscious shoppers are redefining what they are looking for from a trip to a shopping centre. Mark Faithfull reports on the impact of a new consumer mindset -
Developers must embrace internet to engage
26-Oct-2010
Shopping centre developers must make more use of technology and the internet to engage with consumers if they want to remain relevant to a new generation of shoppers, delegates at the World Retail Congress in Berlin were told today. -
The price is light?
Retail Week Interiors, October 2010
Lighting technology continues to push forward, with LEDs revolutionising interior options. But does investing in technical innovation produce a measurable sales uplift and payback return, and when is the right time to spend capital? Mark Faithfull investigates -
Shopping centre Grade II listing alarms retailers and mall owners
August 20, 2010
The decision to give a shopping centre in Milton Keynes a Grade II listed status is a concern for both its owners and the retailers that trade there. What are the wider ramifications, asks Mark Faithfull -
Westfield Stratford: John Lewis, but not as we know it
July 30, 2010
It’s two years to the week that the London Olympic Games start and John Lewis is preparing a store with a difference. -
A new lease of life?
July 30, 2010
Britain’s leasing system has moved in tenants’ favour during the downturn. With stability returning, Mark Faithfull asks if the terms of retail property deals have now changed forever -
Getting retail mergers right
June 25, 2010
Bringing two retailers together does not always ensure instant success or results. Mark Faithfull looks at the secrets of getting the process right -
Flower power
June 4, 2010
Canny operators are turning the humble garden centre into an anchor for retail schemes. Mark Faithfull unearths some trailblazing examples -
Supply Chain: Tapping global sources
May 7, 2010
Sourcing overseas can help retailers innovate, but there are risks involved, says Mark Faithfull -
Shopping centre sustainablity: A force for good
April 23, 2010
While shopping centre sustainability initiatives can be constrained by negotiations, a wave of legislation could force home the potential savings -
Outlets: The unsung heroes of retail
April 9, 2010
The outlet centre sector has thrived in recession but as the market reaches maturity in the UK where do growth opportunities lie. -
Retail collaborations
April 9, 2010
As the new Boots and Waitrose tie-up shows, retailers see real potential in joining forces. But how can you make sure it works? -
Mango sales up 5.7% as international expansion gathers pace
7-Apr-2010
Spanish fashion brand Mango has announced total sales rose 5.7% to €1.48bn (£1.3bn) excluding VAT in 2009 and has confirmed that it will open its 1,500th global store in 2010. -
Sainsbury’s launches Nectar credit card
7-Apr-2010
Sainsbury’s Finance has launched two credit cards aimed at Sainsbury’s shoppers, promising low interest rates and in one case bonus Nectar card points for its customers. -
West End sales boosted by inclement Good Friday
7-Apr-2010
Poor weather and early Spring/Summer fashions sales and bumper volumes of gift food transactions helped to drive respectable retail sales in London’s West End over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. -
Food inflation falls to three-year low
7-Apr-2010
Food inflation fell to a three-year low and overall shop price inflation slowed in March to 1.2% from 1.7% in February according to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). -
Food price war erupts as retailers target family-focused Easter spend
April 1, 2010
Waitrose’s Delia Smith and Heston Blumenthal-inspired recipe campaign has sparked an early Easter price war among the grocers as the supermarket chains attempt to capitalise on family meal sales over the long weekend. -
John Lewis to upgrade EPoS system to support multichannel
April 1, 2010
John Lewis is to implement a “quicker and easier” EPoS system as it sets out an integrated multichannel approach for its department store, specialist home store and website offers. -
Green light for Dublin retail development
30-Mar-2010
Dublin’s retail centre was given a boost yesterday when planning authority An Bord Pleanála granted full planning permission for the 800,000 sq ft, retail-led Dublin Central development on the city’s iconic O’Connell Street. -
Boots and Waitrose begin in-store partnership
30-Mar-2010
Boots UK and Waitrose have confirmed details of the first trial in their recently announced in-store partnership, which will see Waitrose food products sold in selected Boots stores and Boots health and beauty products available in selected Waitrose stores. -
Sainsbury’s doubles size of ‘carbon-negative’ store
29-Mar-2010
Sainsbury’s has opened a store extension in Durham today which although increasing the building’s square footage by 50% has at the same time reduced the amount of energy it uses by 10%. -
Where did it all go right?
February 12, 2010
With the fate of many UK high streets hanging in the balance, Mark Faithfull looks at five very different towns that are striving to prove there is still a place for local shopping — Derby, Rotherham, Morpeth, Plymouth and Ludlow -
On the right channel?
January 22, 2010
With most online retail propositions now up to scratch in terms of customer delivery, what’s the best way and which is the best channel to differentiate your offer? -
What is Planning Policy Statement 4?
January 22, 2010
Local authorities are to be asked to look at the impact of an out-of-town scheme rather than the need for one. So what does this planning change mean for retailers? -
Dunelm and Topps Tiles stay cautious despite sales jump
January 15, 2010
The homewares and home improvement market got a qualified vote of confidence as value homewares group Dunelm posted strong Christmas trading and flooring specialist Topps Tiles reported that its financial year had started well. -
Poundland expansion to target larger stores
January 15, 2010
Single-price retailer Poundland is to maintain its ambitious store opening programme in 2010 and plans to trade from more larger-format stores after reporting total sales up 34.8% and like-for-like sales up 4.4% for the five weeks to January 3. -
Traditional toys secure best ever sales for The Entertainer
January 15, 2010
Toys retailer The Entertainer is to steam ahead with expansion after recording its “strongest trading in the company’s history” in 2009. -
Flying Brands expects to beat profit expectations
13-Jan-2010
Home shopping group Flying Brands said that it expected to beat market expectations for full-year profit, aided by cost cuts and the relocation of its distribution base. -
Signet UK sales decline slows
12-Jan-2010
Anglo-American jewellery retailer Signet has reported like-for-like sales for its UK operations down 0.8% in the nine weeks to January 2, and 2.2% down on the 48 weeks to the same date. -
London's West End sales up 5.6% in December
12-Jan-2010
Retail sales in London’s West End were up 5.6% in December, with some West End retailers reporting double digit increases, according to The New West End Company. -
Hamleys toasts Christmas cheer
11-Jan-2010
Toy retailer Hamleys has reported record Christmas trading, with like-for-like sales up 11.6% in the six week period to January 2, 2010 compared with the same period the previous year. -
Need to know: Christmas Day trading
December 18, 2009
With retailers exploiting every opportunity to grab shopper spend this Christmas, just who is allowed to trade on the big day itself? -
Christmas voucher specialist Park Group sees market revival
December 11, 2009
Christmas savings and voucher specialist Park Group has posted year-on-year interim sales up 6% for the six months to September 30 and revealed orders for Christmas 2010 are “well ahead of last year at this stage”. -
VAT to return to 17.5% in January
9-Dec-2009
Chancellor Alistair Darling has confirmed in his pre-budget report that VAT will return to 17.5% on January 1, 2010. -
HMV hires former Amazon executive as head of online
9-Dec-2009
HMV has appointed former Amazon executive Sarah Hughes as head of online. -
Morrisons and Waitrose star as recession recedes in grocery
8-Dec-2009
Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose all continued to grow their share of supermarket spending in the 12 weeks to 30 November, with Morrisons managing an all-time record share of 12.1%. -
Park Group sales up in ‘encouraging’ market
8-Dec-2009
Christmas hamper and corporate gift voucher specialist Park Group has posted interim figures for the six months to 30 September 2009 up 6% on the same period last year and reported orders for Christmas 2010 “well ahead of last year at this stage”. -
DSGi to sue legal advisers over French loss
7-Dec-2009
Consumer electricals giant DSGi is reportedly to sue its own legal advisers for as much as €1m over alleged mistakes in closing down the retailer’s business in France. -
Dixons tones down second leg of ad push
December 4, 2009
Electricals market leader DSGi has launched the second phase of its irreverent ad campaign for its online business Dixons.co.uk. -
Selfridges ready for online debut as centenary profits to hit £100m
December 4, 2009
Department store group Selfridges said it is on track to launch its much-anticipated online offer in spring, as it revealed it expects profits of at least £100m in its centenary year. -
Government called on to help development
December 4, 2009
Retail property body BCSC has written to the Government asking it to make a firm commitment to help boost the retail property development pipeline in its pre-budget report next week. -
Grocers keep spending on sustainability
2-Dec-2009
More than eight in 10 of the major grocers have maintained or stepped up investment in their environmental strategies during the recession according to research from food and grocery specialist IGD. -
eBay hit outs at French court fine over LVMH sales
30-Nov-2009
Online auction site eBay has accused the French courts of “hurting consumers” and has dubbed a €1.7m fine “disproportionate” after losing a case against luxury goods group LVMH. -
New fascias look towards the UK fashion market
October 23, 2009
Despite the store closures that have dominated retail headlines, this autumn brings the launch of two British fashion fascias and an influx of overseas retailers. Mark Faithfull reports -
Waitrose gives last-minute show of support for retail ombudsman
5-Jun-2009
Upmarket grocery retailer Waitrose has given surprise backing to the campaign for a retail ombudsman. -
Sainsbury’s appoints Rob Fraser as new IT director
3-Jun-2009
Sainsbury’s has appointed former Boots group IT director Rob Fraser to its operating board as IT director, replacing Angela Morrison, who leaves the grocer this summer after four years as IT and change director. -
Westfield London cuts service charge
2-Jun-2009
Australian shopping centre owner Westfield is to reduce service charges by 7 per cent at its Westfield London shopping centre following a campaign from disgruntled retailers. -
Moss Bros adds two new directors to its board
1-Jun-2009
Moss Bros has added two key non-executive directors to its board. Debbie Hewitt’s tenure with the suits retailer began today, while Simon Berwin joined on May 29. -
Virgin Media steps up retail expansion with 50-store plan
1-Jun-2009
Technology and entertainment retailer Virgin Media has announced an aggressive roll-out of its store format in an attempt to significantly increase its high street presence and to capitalise on lower rents and landlord incentives. -
Retail industry hails 1.2% minimum wage rise
May 15, 2009
Retail industry organisations welcomed Tuesday’s decision on a 1.2 per cent rise in the national minimum wage, despite some earlier calls for a total freeze this year. -
Empty shops soar at Land Securities’ centres
13-May-2009
One of Britain’s biggest shopping centre and retail park owners today admitted that void levels are higher than during the downturn in the 1990s. -
Greggs upbeat following strong Easter sales
13-May-2009
Bakery retailer Greggs announced this morning that group sales in the 19 weeks to May 9 increased by 5.2 per cent, including like-for-like sales growth of 2 per cent. -
Sales bloom at Tesco-owned Dobbies
12-May-2009
Dobbies Garden Centres has reported record £97m sales, 12 per cent up on last year, in part due to surging sales of its ‘Grow Your Own’ produce range. Easter 2009 trade was up 73 per cent on last year, thanks to the later holiday dates and the warm weather. -
BRC backs ‘common sense’ rise in minimum wage
12-May-2009
The British Retail Consortium has welcomed today’s government decision to increase the National Minimum Wage by 1.2 per cent. The increase will take the adult minimum wage from £5.73 to £5.80 per hour when it is introduced this October. -
Retailers should push suppliers for in-store investment
8-May-2009
Retailers should be pressing their suppliers to help them deliver a better in-store experience for their customers, claimed WPP The Store chief executive David Roth at the World Retail Congress. -
Overseas retailers advised to focus on regional expansion in China
7-May-2009
Overseas retailers wanting to enter the booming Chinese retail market should focus on regional expansion and not attempt a national launch, delegates were told at the World Retail Congress on Thursday. -
Out of the way?
3 October 2008
The rise in petrol prices might have got some in the out-of-town game worried, but there are plenty of others who believe that transport links are not an issue. Mark Faithfull investigates. -
The flight to value
31-Jul-2008
Unlike many sectors, value players appear to be benefiting from the tough economic climate. So are they likely to feature more prominently in schemes in future? By Mark Faithfull -
Driven to change
31-Jul-2008
With petrol prices soaring, some have warned that out-of-town centres could suffer. Mark Faithfull discovers that they may need to evolve to keep hold of customers in uncertain times -
Fuel's gold
4-Jul-2008
With oil prices soaring and no sign of relief in sight, retailers may need to take drastic action to keep transportation costs under control. Mark Faithfull looks at the Government’s proposal for collaboration to cut travel miles -
Green around the bills
27-Jun-2008
Soaring oil and gas prices have focused attention on energy issues. But while green energy can be a good option, it can only be part of the strategy. Mark Faithfull reports -
Land of Leather poised for £15m rescue deal
27-Jun-2008
Sofas retailer Land of Leather is to launch incentives for key staff through a programme of options and awards once its £15 million share placing has been completed. -
Sourcing guidelines to be ramped up after child labour outcry
27-Jun-2008
Retail supply chain alliance the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI) is to overhaul its sourcing guidelines as the need to promote ethical trade climbs up the industry agenda. -
Supermarkets enjoy healthy growth
24-Jun-2008
The latest grocery market share figures show strong year-on-year sales growth in the grocery sector but food price inflation figures have been over-cooked, claimed TNS Worldpanel. -
Theo Fennell profits up
24-Jun-2008
Upscale jeweller Theo Fennell pledged further international expansion, plans for a new Bond Street store and product extensions as it announced a profits increase for the last financial year. -
Shoppers to spend less in summer Sales
24-Jun-2008
UK shoppers will spend an average of £305.90 each in the summer Sales this year, but just 8 per cent will spend more than they did last summer, according to research by Sainsbury’s Finance. -
Uniqlo unveils UT Gallery spin-off in East End
8-May-2008
Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo has opened a pop-up shop off east London’s Brick Lane, called UT Gallery. -
Soaring food prices drive retail inflation
7-May-2008
Annual retail prices rose 1.2 per cent last month fuelled by a surge in year-on-year food prices of 4.7 per cent, up from annual inflation of 4.1 per cent the previous month, according to figures released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) today. -
Mandarina Duck sold to Italian leather retailer
7-May-2008
Italian leather goods retailer Antichi Pelletieri is to buy Bologna-based Mandarina Duck parent Finduck Group for €36.9 million (£29.2 million) and press ahead with an emerging markets expansion plan. -
Argos to launch flatpack houses
6-May-2008
General merchandise retailer Argos is launching a range of self-assembly log cabins with price points from as low as £11,000. -
US retailers lure consumers as first tax rebates come in
1-May-2008
Many of the US’s biggest retailers are offering promotional incentives for customers to trade in tax rebate cheques, as the first payments from President Bush’s US$100 billion (£50.21 billion) tax giveaway arrived in bank accounts and through the post on Monday. -
Grocery bucks consumer spending slowdown
29-Apr-2008
The latest TNS Worldpanel grocery market share figures published today, for the 12 weeks to April 20, showed that the grocery sector achieved 6 per cent sales growth year on year. -
Retailers report falling volumes
29-Apr-2008
Retail sales fell markedly year on year in April, as poor weather and the early Easter added to the economic slowdown, according to the CBI today. -
Price-fixing probe hits 100 brands
29-Apr-2008
Some of the UK’s best-known consumer brands face a probe over allegations into price-fixing, as the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) steps up its wide-ranging investigation into the grocery sector. -
Baugur focuses on e-commerce growth
9-Apr-2008
E-commerce is a key strategic focus for the Baugur group of companies as it looks to build sales across its portfolio, said executive chairman Jón sgeir Jóhannesson at the World Retail Congress this afternoon. -
Boxing clever
3-Apr-2008
In a difficult market and with big-box units falling out of favour, retail parks are having to find new and innovative ways to operate to maintain investment values. Mark Faithfull looks at how landlords are facing up to some tough decisions -
Gap makes profit comeback as leading US retailers falter
5-Mar-2008
Gap has posted a fourth-quarter profit rise for the first time in three years and forecast further gains after it increased full-price clothing sales in the holiday season. -
Talent drought
12-Oct-2007
Retailers are facing an IT meltdown as the number of people training in relevant technology courses drops. Mark Faithfull asks what is being done to help -
Retail parks innovate as DIY stores slow expansion
11-Oct-2007
As the UK’s DIY big-boxers slow expansion plans, downsize and even consider closing stores, landlords need to take innovative action to revive their parks, says Mark Faithfull -
Growing pains
10-Oct-2007
Retail parks have evolved in a way that few could have envisaged five years ago. But is the rise of powerful fashion offers and comfortable coffee houses enough to gloss over deeper issues for some schemes? Mark Faithfull reports
