More finance – Page 17
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      Opinion‘Larger retailers can learn plenty from innovative independents’
The creativity and innovation that independents bring to the high street and the industry offer valuable lessons to all retailers, believes PwC’s Lisa Hooker
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      DataConsumer confidence inches up on a steady path to recovery
UK consumer confidence increased for the fourth month in a row since January as May saw an “encouraging three-point uptick” though it could still be a “rocky ride out of these tough times”.
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      AnalysisAs JD Sports streaks ahead of the competition, boss Régis Schultz plans to widen the gap
Less than a year after JD Sports went on an “extensive global search process” to find a new chief executive, Régis Schultz has broken the mould and taken the business to new heights after stepping into Peter Cowgill’s trainers.
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      Opinion‘As the storm abates, mothballed growth strategies are being rekindled’
Retail is not rapidly transitioning from bust to boom, but the headwinds that have blasted the industry are abating, believes True’s Matt Truman
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      Opinion‘Claims of grocers profiteering grab headlines but avoid confronting real issues’
Has anyone told Sir Ed Davey, or other proponents of the “profiteering supermarkets” point of view, that Tesco’s profits plummeted last year by half?
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      AnalysisHow Asos is trying to arrest slumping sales and return to profitability
Following the report of further losses for Asos, Retail Week explores how the online fashion retailer has delivered on its previously pledged strategic targets to get back to an upward trajectory
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      AnalysisThree of retail leaders’ biggest headaches and how AI can address them
Here’s what retailers around the globe voted as their top concerns for 2023 and how they can use AI to tackle them
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      AnalysisWhat the Courir acquisition means for JD Sports in the UK and Europe
JD Sports chief executive Régis Schultz called it “the start of a new, distinct chapter” as the sportswear retailer looks to strengthen its brand as a part of its growth strategy in Europe. Retail Week takes a closer look at new acquisition Courir, its history and what the deal could mean for JD Sports in the UK and abroad
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      AnalysisTu good to be true: How the clothing brand is faring with Sainsbury’s food-first focus
As Sainsbury’s pledges the importance of value for shoppers amid the cost-of-living crisis, Retail Week explores where the Tu Clothing offer sits within its food-first focus
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      DataRanking: The UK retailers with the biggest international sales
After several years of staying close to home, it’s no surprise that, even with the cost-of-living crisis, more than 60% of Brits are planning an overseas holiday this year – up by 10% on last year, according to research by American Express.
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      Data
UK consumers boosted by ‘sudden flowering of optimism’
The GfK Consumer Confidence Index increased six points to -30 in April compared with last month – a 20-point recovery since January this year.
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      Opinion‘Shoppers are unlikely to feel giddy with delight when inflation falls to “only” 9%’
A fall in the rate of inflation this week proved more insipid than had been hoped for, but had it been bigger there would hardly have been cause for breaking out the champagne.
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      InterviewMarks Electrical boss Mark Smithson on keeping its edge in a difficult market
The electricals sector has faced tough challenges amid the cost-of-living crisis, high inflation and a poor macroeconomic environment since Covid-19 but for Marks Electrical, the past few years have meant revenue growth and soaring sales.
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      Opinion‘CEOs face the challenge of staying true to a long-term vision amid uncertainty’
Ahead of the World Retail Congress, Spencer Stuart’s Sally Elliott assesses the changing demands on retail chief executives and how effective succession planning can best position companies for success
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      Opinion‘As Shein ponders IPO, is the “next Shein” already coming up the inside track?’
A Shein IPO would be testament to a retailer built at warp speed to gargantuan scale, but in current conditions investors may question how strong its prospects are as established digital giants retrench and new competitors emerge.
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      AnalysisRetail Horizon: Winners will balance retail detail with the big picture
Our mid-year update to Retail Horizon 2023 – presented for the first time at Retail Week Live – explores the key trends shaping the retail sector.
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      AnalysisLord Wolfson poses ‘the big question’ for Next’s long-term future
Next chief executive Lord Wolfson this week asked the provocative question of whether the business should now be seen as mature or if it still has strong growth prospects. Here are the takeaways from the bellwether retailer’s full-year results
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      DataConsumer pain increases as grocery inflation hits record high
Grocery price inflation reached a new high in March, with consumers now facing an £837 increase in their annual bills.
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      DataConsumer confidence inches up but ‘cost-of-living crisis remains stark reality’
UK consumer confidence has jumped by two points in the month of March, though the outlook remains gloomy.
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      Opinion‘A stake sale would risk turning John Lewis into AN Other retailer’
Annual losses of £234m, no staff bonus, the spectre of more job losses looming – no wonder the John Lewis Partnership is considering whether its traditional way of doing things needs to change.
 

















