More Christmas continued – Page 5
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Analysis
Super Thursday delivers a Christmas cracker – but is the retail party over?
Despite surging numbers of Covid-19 cases and a perfect storm of external pressures threatening to derail the golden quarter, retail has delivered a merry Christmas. What did Super Thursday’s trading updates tell us about the sector’s seasonal performance – and the year ahead?
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Opinion
‘This Christmas may not be normal but it will still be merry, thanks to retailers’ prowess’
Asked about the outlook for Christmas, retailers always like to reply: “It will be on December 25.”
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Data
Data: Weekend footfall slumps as Omicron dampens last-minute Christmas sales
Surging cases of the Omicron variant have hit retail footfall and dampened any hopes of a sales surge on the last weekend before Christmas.
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Data
Data: Confidence edges down as consumer interest in major purchases declines
The rising cost of living and the Omicron variant have led to a decrease in consumer confidence during the festive season.
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Analysis
Analysis: The future of the Mega-Sale-day event
In the wake of Black Friday 2021, Retail Week assesses the future impact on UK retailers of the various Mega-Sale-day events dominating the industry calendar.
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Data
Data: Retailers learn pandemic lessons with faster and more reliable deliveries
New data on retailers’ shipping capabilities shows the sector has improved its delivery potential and stock availability despite fierce headwinds in the run-up to Christmas.
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Opinion
‘There is still room not only to survive but thrive in an Amazon-dominated world’
Ask any UK retail exec or investor what keeps them awake at night and sooner or later they will mention Amazon.
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Data
Data: Black Friday gives needed boost to retail sales in November
Black Friday provided a much-needed boost to retail sales during November as customers returned to stores in the run-up to Christmas.
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Opinion
‘Retailers must rethink their supply chain strategy for the long term’
The supply chain challenges currently facing the retail sector have been well documented, but taking a longer view of the situation is crucial, says Erin Brookes, managing director for European retail and consumer at Alvarez & Marsal.
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Data
Data: ‘Weaker than anticipated’ Black Friday contributes to November footfall decline
Footfall in November was down compared to October as people continued to work from home for at least part of the week, while tourism remained lower than pre-pandemic levels.
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Retail Voice
’Tis the season for peace, love and joy between brand and retailer
The Christmas period offers a ray of hope after another difficult year in retail, says Michael Greene, vice-president of growth portfolio at Criteo.
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Opinion
Katie Bickerstaffe: 'This year, back-to-the-floor means packing online orders for M&S HQ staff'
Over the past 18 months, we have seen five to seven years’ worth of change in this industry, so we’ve had to change, to be bolder, braver, and more committed to reshaping M&S.
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Data
Data: Christmas shopping set to be more expensive as shop prices rise
Shop prices rose for the first time in two and a half years as the combination of supply chain disruption, labour shortages and rising commodity prices impacted consumers.
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Analysis
Black Friday bounce for bricks and mortar as online sales slow
Stores have emerged as the biggest beneficiary on Black Friday so far as online traffic and sales lag behind last year’s figures.
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Opinion
‘Black Friday will be the first big test of a fragile retail supply chain’
The first Black Friday since the end of lockdown should be cause for celebration among us retailers.
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Data
Data: Retail sales inch up in October boosted by early Christmas shopping
Retail sales rose for the first time in three months as shoppers prepared for the festive season.
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Opinion
‘Retailers are encouraging Christmas shoppers back in store with excitement and theatre’
Currys, Kingfisher and Primark are just three of the retailers demonstrating the importance of the store to boosting customer engagement this golden quarter, writes Fran Minogue.
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Data
Data: Golden quarter trading tracker – weekly online and footfall trends
The golden quarter is well underway. Our weekly updates enable you to take the temperature of trading online and in bricks-and-mortar locations week by week during this crucial period.
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Retail Voice
'Retailers must tackle increasing fraud cases in critical spending months'
Fighting fraud has never been so important as we head into the festive season, says Brian Flesk, head of retail at Hitachi Capital Consumer Finance.
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Gallery
In pictures: Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, L’Occitane and more unveil festive windows
Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and L’Occitane have unveiled their Christmas windows, but what other stores have joined in?