All Home & DIY articles – Page 263
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News
Troubled retailers close more than two in five shops
Financially troubled retailers have been closing more than two in five stores as the economic gloom on the high street deepens.
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AnalysisRetail staffing: Power to the People
Backing UK Retail isn’t just about the role the industry plays in the economy – it’s about the part it plays in communities too. Charlotte Hardie asks how store jobs have helped local people
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NewsWyevale offers 3% wage rise to engage staff
Garden centre chain Wyevale is to give staff across the business a 3 per cent pay increase in order to motivate them.
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Opinion
John Richards: Think it's bad? You've seen nothing yet
Plan for lower sales in 2009 and 2010 and you won’t suffer too many unpleasant shocks. The severity of the financial crunch and the excesses that led to it mean that the adjustment process must not only be painful but protracted.
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News
Fund set up to back retailers of the future
A consortium of retail entrepreneurs has united to create an investment fund to support fledgling UK retail businesses.
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Analysis
NRF: Brave New World
After a year of financial turmoil a more humble and socially aware retail industry was on show at this year’s National Retail Federation convention last week. Joanna Perry reports from New York
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News
Short selling on retail stock doubles
Short selling positions on retail shares have almost doubled between November and January, as investors bet on further misery for the sector.
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News
Inflation falls to 3.1 per cent
Inflation fell to 3.1 per cent in December, down from 4.1 per cent in November, the Consumer Prices Index showed.
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News
Retailer critical list grows
Retailers are set to face further distress in 2009 after the number of companies facing bankruptcy soared 81 per cent in the final quarter of 2008, according to a survey.
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News
Focus appoints new commercial director
DIY chain Focus has appointed Penny Teale as its commercial director.
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News
BrightHouse sales up as consumers opt to rent
Rent-to-buy electricals and furniture specialist BrightHouse has revealed underlying revenue increased 13.5 per cent in the 13 weeks to December 28.
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News
Worst Christmas sales growth in London since 2004
London retailers experienced their worst like-for-like growth this Christmas since 2004. December sales in the capital were 0.7 per cent lower than a year ago on a like-for-like basis.
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Analysis
Supply Chain: Reverse psychology
Returns can be a costly burden, yet retailers’ supply chains are often ill-equipped to deal with them. Charlotte Hardie asks where savings can be made as unwanted gifts fly back to stores.
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News
Retail stocks languish as dismal Christmas fails to lift confidence
Hard-pressed retailers outperformed the All Share index as the first week of trading updates brought few nasty surprises.
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News
Habitat poaches chief from Levi’s
Levi Strauss Europe vice-president of retail Mark Saunders has been appointed chief executive of furniture and homewares chain Habitat.
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News
Homebase in talks with restructuring specialists
Home Retail Group has approached restructuring specialists to review the store portfolio of its DIY chain Homebase, according to The Times.
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News
Land of Leather gets strong sale interest
Land of Leather has this week received 14 expressions of interest for its business and stores after the furniture retailer collapsed into administration on Monday.
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Opinion
Pre-pack abuse needs to end
Retailers face many injustices, some real, others perceived. But they don’t come much bigger than this. One of your biggest rivals – which has been in administration and then bought out – has a store on a major high street. And you’re paying their rent.
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News
Argos and Homebase sales fall further
Home Retail Group has revealed a 7.5 per cent like-for-like sales decline at Argos in the 18 weeks to January 3, while its sister DIY chain Homebase suffered a 10.2 per cent fall.
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News
The White Company begins consultation period with staff
Upmarket homewares retailer The White Company has begun a consultation period with its employees.