More finance – Page 12
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Opinion
‘Only with economically unsustainable competition removed can the economy reset’
The fiscal stimulus in response to Covid lowered the cost of capital, flooding business models that didn’t deserve funding with valuations that were, at times, eye-watering. The upshot of excess stimulus is the inflation every business is now faced with, says True co-founder Matt Truman.
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Analysis
Analysis: As DFS and ProCook warn on profits, has the homewares sector lost its spring?
The homewares sector has enjoyed a boom over the past two years but, with DFS and ProCook issuing the latest in a string of profit warnings, has the pandemic bubble burst?
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Analysis
Analysis: Five things you need to know about Beauty Pie
Arriving on the scene in 2016, Beauty Pie was founded on the premise that beauty should be affordable without compromising on quality. With recent investment off the back of a year when sales grew 140%, can it change the landscape of beauty retail?
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Analysis
Retail Horizon 2022: Navigating cost of living, sustainability and ‘blended retail’
From Brexit to Covid-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to supply chain issues and soaring inflation, the power of external influences to challenge the retail industry has been relentless in recent months.
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Opinion
‘CMA will act to protect shoppers from price fixing’
The Competition and Markets Authority receives more complaints about price fixing than any other infringement of competition law, says its senior director of antitrust Ann Pope – and it will not hesitate to clamp down on offenders
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Interview
The Amazon of washing machines: How Marks Electrical is taking on the titans
In a volatile and inflationary electricals market, Marks Electrical has bucked sector trends by growing both sales and market share. Retail Week speaks to chief executive Mark Smithson about how his business is outcompeting its more established rivals
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Data
Data: New ranking reveals top 30 UK retailers by store growth
Retail Week’s latest report features new analysis of the retailers that expanded their store footprint the most from January 2019 to March 2022. It also features data from Local Data Company to show the sectors that are driving store growth and where the opportunities lie.
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Analysis
Retail Horizon 2022: Navigating cost of living, sustainability and ‘blended retail’
From Brexit to Covid-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to supply chain issues and soaring inflation, the power of external influences to challenge the retail industry has been relentless in recent months.
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Opinion
‘JD Sports must call on bench strength to stay top of the league’
For about as long as anyone can remember, JD Sports has stood proudly on the top of the podium in its field, but it is looks as if the retailer has lost its form, writes George MacDonald
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Analysis
Missguided acquisition: Is Murray’s first Frasers move a misstep or masterful?
After months of twists and turns, Frasers Group and its chief executive Michael Murray swooped in to snap up Missguided out of administration. With his first move to reappoint founder and chief executive Nitin Passi, can this new dream team turn things around?
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Analysis
Alex Russo: The man stepping into some of retail’s biggest shoes as B&M boss
Taking the helm of a business from an entrepreneurial founder is often a challenge. On top of that, new B&M chief executive Alex Russo is facing volatile market conditions that already mean profits this year are likely to be below last.
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Deep dive
The state of fashion: Where do rising costs and returns leave the sector?
Fashion retailers might have been benefiting from the return to the office – and the revival of events such as festivals and weddings – but many businesses have flagged ongoing headwinds that are likely to dampen progress.
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Opinion
In pictures: ‘A tribute to a remarkable man and a social history of local retailing’
On Christmas Eve 2019, Maurice Dorfman flipped the sign on his haberdashery shop door to ‘closed’, just as he, and before him, his parents, had on 60 previous Christmas Eves. This time he would never flip it back. He died two months later, at the age of 87.
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Opinion
‘Walmart woes spook investors, but now’s not the time to run a business for the share price’
The challenges flagged by Walmart, and its responses to them, likely give a taste of things to come for the US giant’s counterparts on this side of the pond.
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Opinion
‘A new kind of leadership can help retailers thrive through the challenges ahead’
In the face of mounting challenges, retail leaders can succeed by hiring and developing the right people, adopting a constructive approach to all stakeholders and fostering a culture of innovation, writes Sally Elliott.
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Data
Consumer confidence plummets to lowest-ever levels as cost-of-living crisis escalates
Consumer confidence has reached an all-time low since records began in 1974.
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Opinion
‘Food insecurity is a reality for many, and the fear is it will only get worse’
Mitigating higher costs for consumers while ensuring food supply chains remain sustainable is a fine balance, says Co-op Food co-managing director Matt Hood.
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Opinion
‘As CD&R rescues McColl’s, it’s time to change the narrative on private equity’
After a wretched few days, today finally brought some much-needed certainty for McColl’s 16,000 employees and the 2,000 members of its two pension schemes.
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Data
Data: Footfall drops in April as retail sweats on sustained cost-of-living contraction
Footfall in April dropped across all retail destinations as the sector waits to see whether the month will be a precursor for the future as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
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Analysis
Research: 25 retailers talk property strategy and need for rates reform
The leaders of 25 UK retailers including Primark, B&M, Iceland, Frasers Group, ScS and The Original Factory Shop have spoken to Retail Week for a far-reaching report into the state of UK retail property and the need for reform.