More finance – Page 26
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DataData: Consumer confidence hits lowest point in a year as price rise fears grow
Consumer confidence has dropped to its lowest point since January 2021, one of the worst months of the pandemic.
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Opinion‘Asda’s reaction to Jack Monroe reveals rise of a new style of influencer’
As the spiralling cost of living unsettles consumers – inflation now stands at a 30-year high according to this week’s ONS data – retailers’ value propositions are coming under the spotlight in new ways, sometimes in an unflattering light, from a new type of influencer.
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DataData: Online retail grows at slowest rate on record in January
Ecommerce sales grew at the slowest rate on record in January as retailers battle the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation.
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AnalysisAnalysis: Aldi vs Lidl – which discounter will take the edge in grocery’s next price war?
In the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, Aldi and Lidl’s sales soared as cash-strapped customers switched. With the UK now facing the worst cost-of-living crisis in 30 years, which of the discounters is best placed to benefit?
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Opinion‘Amid all the turbulence, retail starts the year from a position of relative strength’
Christmas was good for many retailers, but to maintain share or increase growth in a volatile environment, it will be necessary to invest in differentiation, believes PwC industry leader for consumer markets Lisa Hooker
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OpinionJo Whitfield: ‘Race to the bottom on price raises fears about sustainability of food production’
Lower prices for shoppers must not mean a squeeze on farming and suppliers, argues Co-op Food chief executive Jo Whitfield
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DataData: Shop price inflation rises to highest level since December 2012
Shop price inflation soared in December, driven by an increase in non-food inflation, as the cost of living rises across the UK.
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AnalysisAnalysis: How H&M is preparing for sustainable growth post-pandemic
H&M chief executive Helena Helmersson is adamant that the “worst is behind us” and the fashion giant is ready for what comes next. Retail Week looks at how H&M is setting itself up for future growth.
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AnalysisFive critical lessons retailers must heed from golden quarter 2021
The peak Christmas trading period may have been unlike any other but, as Retail Week’s Golden Quarter 2021 report shows, there are consumer trends and behaviours that will have longevity.
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Opinion‘As cost of living climbs, value-for-money battle will make or break retail success’
With consumers across the board feeling the pinch of rising prices, retailers should remember that value for money need not mean cheap, writes George MacDonald
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DataData: Confidence drops as consumers brace for rising inflation
Concerns around the increase in fuel costs, as well as rising inflation and interest rates, led to a decrease in consumer confidence in January.
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DataRanking: Christmas trading league table 2021
Find out how retailers fared during the critical 2021 Christmas trading period with our league table benchmarking sales performance across the sector.
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DataData: The companies investors placed their bets on in 2021
2021 marked another tumultuous year for the retail industry, but some bright sparks grew - and have been rewarded with the investment to grow further. Retail Week explores the companies that received the most investment in the UK in 2021.
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AnalysisSuper 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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AnalysisThe most bankable retail trends of 2022
With Christmas 2021 now over, Retail Week unpacks the key consumer trends and asks what they could mean for the golden quarter in 2022.
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Opinion‘Five key themes will drive success in fashion and retail in 2022’
Given its exposure to the ebbs and flows of Covid-19, the fashion industry has been a useful bellwether for the wider retail landscape.
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Opinion‘As Boohoo warns on profits, the disruptors are increasingly looking like the disrupted’
While online powerhouse Boohoo’s ethical credentials have prompted fierce criticism, its operational prowess and consumer appeal have rarely been in question.
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Opinion‘The mismatch between valuations and anticipated performance has never looked so wide’
As we sit at the beginning of December, there are many conflicting industry drivers for retail, which when combined lead to significant ambiguity moving into 2022.
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DataData: 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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AnalysisAnalysis: The four ways Frasers has turbocharged growth during the pandemic
In its latest set of interim results, both Frasers’ profits and sales outshine those recorded in the pre-pandemic era. Retail Week examines how Frasers has prospered in a difficult trading period.