Retail

Q1 2017 Sees UK Retail Take Biggest Sales Hit In Seven Years

Q1 2017 Sees UK Retail Take Biggest Sales Hit In Seven Years

Henry Williams April 21, 2017 News

UK retail sales have reported their biggest quarterly sales drop in seven years in March, falling 1.4% on the final quarter of 2016, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. The figure also declined 1.8% on February 2017, though the total amount spent was still higher than a year ago. The drop coincided with a rise in the cost of everyday goods by 3.3% - the highest growth since March 2012. At 16/4%, petrol stations saw the biggest increase. Only the textiles, clothing and footwear sectors were immune, with the amount spent on all three up 2.5% on the preceding quarter, while online sales jumped by 19.5% in the 12 months to March and increased by 0.5% on February. Keith Richardson, managing director of retail at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “These ... »

Startups: Have You Got the Retail Factor?

January 27, 2011 News

Shopping-centre owner The Mall has launched a competition for small retail businesses in each of its 13 centres nationwide, with prizes including free trading and small business mentoring. Start-up businesses that want to trial new products in their local shopping centre should submit their plans online or to the "Ask Me Point" in their nearest Mall centre by the 20th February. Entries to The Retail Factor will be judged on innovation, commercial viability and relevance of the product to the local market. Businesses that make their region’s shortlist will be given free use of a retail merchandising unit for two weeks through to April. Following the bi-weekly trials, a panel will pick a winner from The Mall centres in Barnsley, Blackburn, Camberley, Luton, Maidstone, Middlesbrough... »

January Sales Give Retailers Surprise Boost

February 16, 2009 News

Retail sales in January this year were higher than in the same period in 2008, after businesses cut prices to encourage consumers to keep spending, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The BRC’s monthly retail sales monitor revealed that, despite the recession, shop sales increased by 1.1 per cent on January 2008 – taking industry analysts unawares.  “These figures are surprising considering people are currently reining in their spending,” said BRC spokesman Krishan Rama. “But although there may be some room for optimism, it may just be a blip due to discounting. “The fundamentals haven’t changed – job fears are mounting and consumer confidence is at record lows,” he added. The BRC research also found food sales increa... »

IIP (Construction, Education, Finance, Retail Sectors)

September 18, 2006 People

Everyone agrees that people are an organisation’s greatest asset, and we all know that for an organisation to succeed everyone has to perform well. It doesn’t matter what size or type of organisation you are, the Investors in People Standard is there to help you improve the way you work. What is Investors in People? The Investors in People Standard is a business improvement tool designed to advance an organisation’s performance through its people. Developed in 1990 by a partnership of leading businesses and national organisations, the Standard helps organisations to improve performance and realise objectives through the management and development of their people. Since it was developed the Standard has been reviewed every three years to ensure that it remains relevant, ac... »