All articles by George Arnett – Page 4
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NewsBain forecasts “subdued” festive sales growth in the UK
The management consultancy firm says that “poor consumer confidence and ongoing economic uncertainty” means most sales growth with likely be due to inflation, with sales volumes set to decrease, Retail Week can reveal.
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Chart of the WeekChart: There’s a price war, but which products are actually getting cheaper?
Supermarkets keep talking about prices being cut, but what is actually getting cheaper?
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NewsBiggest festive retail recruiters revealed amid record-breaking job search figures
The recruitment platform revealed that jobseeker searches for Christmas roles in the UK were up 28% year on year, the highest level it had seen since comparable data began in 2018.
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NewsGrocery price inflation back over 5% in September
Meat, coffee and chocolate are driving up till prices, according to the latest figures from Worldpanel by Numerator, covering the four weeks ending October 5.
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NewsASA rules against Hammonds Furniture ad
The standards agency ruled against the Leicester-based furniture retailer over three different issues with its advertising
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NewsCoffee chain Esquires set to open in Tesco Ireland stores
The Esquires stores will open in five Irish supermarkets before the end of next month.
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Chart of the WeekChart: Reduce National Insurance and business rates – poll of economists
A new survey of economists and policy experts by the Centre for British Progress think tank suggests experts think NICs and business rates should not be used to raise additional revenue, but VAT should
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AnalysisAI-powered shopping in the US forecast to increase by 520% this holiday season
New figures from Adobe suggest that AI traffic to retail sites will peak in the 10 days leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday.
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NewsDr. Martens expands into UAE and LatAm
The British footwear brand announced two new distribution partnerships, expanding its global reach.
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NewsTesco ups profit outlook, helped by warm weather and price cuts
Britain’s biggest grocer posted a 4.3% like-for-like sales increase in the first half of its financial year, with growth across all of its markets.
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AnalysisWhat have retailers been saying about tariffs ahead of the golden quarter?
Retailers selling into the US are definitely feeling the effects, but some are being specific about what they think the impact might be
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Chart of the WeekChart: Drinks deposit scheme return rates by country
British consumers will soon face higher costs on drinks, with the promise of earning money back on returning their plastic bottles and alumninium drinks cans. The mooted deposit return scheme is due to come into force in October 2027.
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NewsDFS posts stronger profits than expected in “weak market”
Revenue in the year ending 29 June, 2025, was up 4.4% on the same period last year, while underlying profits before tax increased by £19.7m.
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NewsNimbler H&M sees profits rise in third quarter
Sales in local currencies increased 2% in the three months to August 31, 2025 compared to 2024, despite a store closure programme.
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Chart of the WeekChart: Next shares its vacancy figures in warning on UK jobs market
Next sounded a warning about the UK economy alongside their results last week, pointing to rising unemployment and rising application numbers
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NewsConsumer optimism about the economy ‘sliding sharply’
The latest numbers from GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index showed a two-point drop in September, while optimism about the economy has cratered since the Labour government came to power.
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NewsNext posts big sales and profits rise, but sounds warning on UK job market
The fashion retailer reported group sales up by 10.3% and profit before tax up by 13.8% in the six months to July 2025 from 2024.
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NewsConsumer confidence drops to lowest level since spring as food inflation rises
Consumer confidence in the economy has hit its lowest level since spring as reports of growing food prices and UK economic struggles take hold.
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Chart of the WeekChart: The customer service tasks that consumers most dread
New research by the Institute of Customer Service (ICS) reveals half of consumers feel that service is overly automated
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AnalysisFour technologies driving bricks-and-mortar growth, according to retail leaders
Retailers are placing physical stores at the heart of their investment strategies, according to a worldwide survey of retail executives by Bain and VusionGroup shared exclusively with Retail Week.