All General merchandise articles – Page 25
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AnalysisWhy WHSmith boss Cowling sees ‘big opportunity’ from the pandemic
After a bruising year for both the high street and travel hubs amid the coronavirus pandemic, WHSmith suffered losses of £69m in the 12 months to August 31, compared with £155m profit last year.
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AnalysisFive categories set to lose out during lockdown
When the second lockdown was revealed last week, British Retail Consortium boss Helen Dickinson deemed it a “nightmare before Christmas” for retail.
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B&M half-year profits skyrocket as sales surge
B&M has recorded a jump in interim profits spurred by a leap in sales that boss Simon Arora says shows the retailer is “well-attuned to the evolving needs of customers”.
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NewsWHSmith tumbles to full-year loss as sales slide
WHSmith has fallen into the red at the full-year mark as the retailer’s sales across travel and the high street were “heavily impacted” by the pandemic.
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OpinionLockdown to scupper Black Friday bonanza – but all is not lost
Lockdown has put the dampeners on a Black Friday sales surge with consumers expected to spend 20% less during the discounting event this year, according to PwC.
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AnalysisThe Big Question: What does great leadership look like during a crisis?
Ahead of RWRC’s Virtual Leaders’ Summit, Skinnydip chief executive James Gold, BrewDog chief operating officer David McDowall, Mars Food global president Fiona Dawson, The Black Farmer founder Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones and former Tesco boss Dave Lewis give their take on what’s needed from retail leaders in times of crisis.
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NewsRetail rages over government store closure guidance
Retailers have been left angry and confused by the government’s handling of second lockdown store closures, after its guidance on mixed essential and non-essential retail was published late.
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OpinionMove of the Week: Tom Athron is a great match for Fortnum & Mason
It’s no great surprise to see Tom Athron assume his first chief executive position at Fortnum & Mason. If anything, the surprise is that it hasn’t happened sooner.
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AnalysisAnalysis: Simon Roberts’ new vision for Sainsbury’s future
Four months into his new role as Sainsbury’s chief executive, Simon Roberts has unveiled his strategic vision for the grocer and its stable of brands.
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NewsSteiner: Ocado acquisitions could pave way for move into new sectors
Ocado chief executive Tim Steiner says the group’s acquisition of two robotics firms could pave the way for the grocery pureplay to move into the general merchandise and fashion sectors in future.
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VideoWatch: Lego rebuilds the world for Christmas
Lego’s Christmas advert shows adults and children alike playing with the famous building blocks – encouraging them to rebuild the world using their imagination.
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VideoWatch: Argos’ Christmas ad puts on festive magic show
Argos’ Christmas advert features sisters Lucy and Daisy who put on a magic show after circling a magician’s set in the retailer’s catalogue.
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John Lewis launches Christmas campaign to raise £5m for vulnerable families
The John Lewis Partnership is set to launch a new charity campaign to offer support for more than 100,000 families whose livelihoods and mental health have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
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AnalysisAnalysis: After the most unpredictable year ever, is the five-year strategy dead?
It’s difficult to know what’s going to happen next week, never mind next year. In this environment, can retail leaders work to five-year plans? Grace Bowden investigates.
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AnalysisAnalysis: Which Covid trends are here to stay?
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has upended almost every part of society and few sectors have been more challenged than retail. Retail Week looks at some of the Covid-driven changes that will outlast even the virus.
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Welsh supermarkets to be given discretion over non-essential items ban
The Welsh first minister has said the ban on grocers selling non-essential items as part of the region’s fire break lockdown will have some flexibility after the measures drew complaints.
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AnalysisWill retail descend into supply chain chaos this Christmas?
This year is expected to be an online Christmas like we’ve never seen before. But can retailers – and their couriers – cope with the expected delivery surge?
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AnalysisLocal heroes: The retailers benefiting from the rise of localism
Since the lockdown, people have taken to shopping where they live and local retailers have come to the fore. Many have adapted, served and won loyal customers over the past eight months. Retail Week highlights some of the thriving businesses that hold lessons for all of retail.
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NewsStore closures hit record levels as 11,000 shut in first half of 2020
A record number of stores closed during the first half of 2020 as the coronavirus crisis hammered high streets, shopping centres and retail parks across the UK.
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NewsEG Group reports record quarterly profits
Petrol forecourt specialist EG Group, which is controlled by Asda’s new owners the Issa brothers, has posted a record quarter of profitability.

















