High street news and archive

The cheapest cities to open a brick-and-mortar store in the UK

In a recent study examining the most cost-effective locations for establishing brick-and-mortar stores in the UK, Nottingham has emerged as the top choice for entrepreneurs. The research, conducted by business credit card experts at Capital on Tap, considered various factors including retail space costs, handyman rates, internet expenses, and...

Retail

Zara to offer second hand clothes in U.S. market

Inditex's flagship brand Zara is set to launch its Pre-Owned platform in the United States by late October, as revealed in the company's half-year earnings report. This initiative, which allows customers to sell, donate, or repair secondhand clothing, aligns with a broader industry trend towards circular fashion models. The expansion comes...

Retail

UK retail sales show modest growth amid summer spending

Retail sales in the UK saw a slight uptick in August, driven by summer-related purchases, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. Total retail sales increased by 1 percent year-on-year, outpacing the three-month average growth of 0.4% but falling short of the 12-month average of 1.2 percent. Non-food sales, which includes fashion,...

Retail

UK retail sales show modest growth amid economic uncertainty

Retail sales in the UK demonstrated a tepid recovery in July, with total sales increasing by 0.5 percent year-on-year, according to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). This growth, while modest, surpassed the three-month average of 0.3 percent but fell short of the 12-month average of 1.4 percent. The food sector emerged...

Retail

UK Retailers embrace multifaceted strategy to boost sales, says study

New research from American Express has revealved that UK retailers are embracing a multifaceted approach to drive sales growth this year, with a strategic focus on both physical expansion and digital enhancement. Surveying 500 senior decision-makers across the retail and hospitality sectors, Amex's study delves into the challenges, investment...

Retail

Retail price inflation declines to lowest point since December 2021

Shop Price annual inflation eased to 1.3 percent in March, down from 2.5 percent in February, new data shows. This is below the 3-month average rate of 2.2 percent. Shop price annual growth is its lowest since December 2021, according to research released by BRC-NielsenIQ. Commenting on the data, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British...

Retail

Retail hit by wettest February on record

Adverse weather conditions in February cast a shadow over the UK retail sector, with sales figures, unadjusted for inflation, suggesting a potential concealed decline in volumes amid heightened inflation, according to data released by the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. The 1.1 percent year-on-year rise in total retail sales fell below the...

Retail

UK retailers continue to face difficult trading conditions

In the latest retail footfall analysis covering the four weeks from December 31, 2023, to January 27, 2024, BRC-Sensormatic IQ data reveals a continued decline in UK footfall. Total UK footfall decreased by 2.8 percent year-on-year (YoY) in January, showing a slight improvement from the 5.0 percent decline in December. High Street footfall...

RetailFeatured

Pop-up shops are revitalising the high street

Pop-up shops have emerged as a potential solution for rejuvenating and reinvigorating High Streets, presenting several advantages that address the current challenges faced by traditional retail spaces. With footfall in some locations still below pre-pandemic and Brexit levels, retail brands might be hesitant to commit to long leases in an...

Retail

Good weather and summer sales boosted June retail, says ONS

British consumer purchases experienced a notable 0.7 percent rise in June, following a modest 0.1 percent increase in May, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Retail sales volumes saw positive month-over-month growth across all major sectors, except for automotive fuel, which saw a 0.3 percent decline. The report highlighted...

RetailFeatured

Retail vacancy rates stagnate amid rising costs

The increasing costs associated with running standalone stores are deterring retailers from investing in the UK's high street. These costs include rent, business rates, and utilities, which have been on the rise in recent years. As a result, retailers are exploring other avenues such as online sales and pop-up stores, which offer more...

Retail

Primark profits under pressure due to weak pound and high inflation

Primark has seen an increase in foot traffic as its store visits returned to pre-pandemic levels, resulting in a 19 percent sales boost. However, despite this growth, the company's profits are under pressure due to a weak sterling and high inflation. Shares of Primark's parent company, AB Foods, fell 3.6 percent on Tuesday as shoppers prioritise...