All General merchandise articles – Page 196
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NewsConsumer confidence edges up in October
Consumer confidence rose by one point in October, according to the GfK NOP Consumer Confidence Index.
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NewsToy Retailers Association reveals Christmas dream toys
Buzz Lightyear, a toy puppy that can be taken for walks and an electric guitar are among the toys tipped to be the biggest sellers this Christmas.
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AnalysisCan workers provide a big break for WHSmith?
The retailer - more used to operating in railway stations - believes the workplace could prove to be an untapped source of growth. George MacDonald examines the venture’s potential
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Woolworths Q1 sales increase 4% to £8.4bn
Woolworths reported a 4% rise in first-quarter sales to Aus$13.91bn (£8.4 bn). Sales at the company’s food and liquor division in Australia for the quarter increased by 3.2% to Aus$9.29bn (£5.6bn), as like-for-like sales rose 2%. Woolworths’ New Zealand supermarkets sales had an even stronger increase of Aus$1.07bn (£642m) during ...
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NewsWalmart reconsiders terms of Massmart deal
Walmart may modify its offer to acquire South African retailer Massmart, meaning the Johannesburg company could retain a listing.
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NewsRetailers braced for difficult trading after ‘necessary’ cuts
Retailers warn public sector cuts will hit spending and exacerbate the North/South divide
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NewsArgos poised for return to the clothing market
Retailer attempts to poach staff from online specialists ahead of fashion comeback.
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OpinionArgos needs to build on multichannel strategy
The job losses spelt out in Wednesday’s Comprehensive Spending Review can’t be good news for retailers. While at least we now know how bad the impact will be, the uncertainty created in the minds of those affected will do nothing for their propensity to spend.
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NewsWHSmith travel arm trumps high street for the first time
WHSmith could demerge its travel and high street arms as early as this financial year, some analysts believe.
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OpinionA good result, but Swann can do better
WHSmith should be awarded nine out of 10 for margin management and cost control: the alchemy of generating a profits increase in another year of like-for-like sales declines.
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NewsStaples UK cuts costs and returns to profit
Stationer Staples UK has bounced back into the black, posting a pre-tax profit of £6.2m compared with a loss of £8.6m the year before.
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Toys R Us claims it won't be opening stores in India
US-based toy retailer Toys R Us has said it won’t be opening stores in India, following reports of a link-up with Reliance Retail. The company released a statement of denial after various news sources reported a link between the two retailers.
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NewsArgos suffers profits fall
Argos and Homebase owner Home Retail Group has posted a plunge in interim profits.
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NewsRetailers to enjoy best Christmas since 2007, Verdict forecasts
This Christmas will be the best for retailers since 2007 and sales are likely to rise 1.9% to £85.2bn.
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NewsRetailers face mass cull by 2015, BDO claims
More than 26,500 retailers will be wiped off the UK high street by 2015 as post-recession shoppers become more “reasoned and thoughtful”, according to research published today.
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NewsHalfords set to cut space as web sales accelerate
Retailer to cut space by at least 15% as online allows it to downsize its portfolio.
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NewsM&S urges caution despite increase in sales
Marks & Spencer beat second-quarter sales expectations but chief executive Marc Bolland remained cautious about prospects. Despite Bolland’s wariness, and a rise in costs such as marketing, analysts upgraded their forecasts ahead of a strategic update next month.
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NewsLacklustre sales fail to dent general stores
General stores rose over the week versus the All-share index, even edging up on Tuesday when the latest BRC sales data showed a lacklustre performance.
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News
99¢ Only Stores Q2 sales increase 2.7%
Discount chain 99¢ Only Stores recorded a 2.7% increase in sales during its second quarter to $334m (£209m). Like-for-like sales grew by 0.6%. During the second quarter the company opened four stores and closed one. CEO Eric Schiffer commented: “We believe that we will have a strong holiday season, and, ...