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I am catching up on some of the recently published data about retail sales. This short post has graphs from two sources (a) the Scottish Retail Sales Monitor , published by the Scottish Retail Consortium and (b) Internet sales as a proportion of retail sales published by the Office for National Statistics. Both have featured in this blog before but I am reporting here on the recent sales figures in these series as they show the changes that have been underway during the pandemic lockdown. In the graph above, the last 18 months or so are shown in order to emphasise the recent data. The decline in the non-food sales (and thus in total sales) in Scotland is unprecedented in the 20+ plus years of this series. The depth of the decline, due to the closure of “non-essential” stores is notable. But, what is interesting is the beginnings of an improvement in May 2020, as some stores re-opened and some confidence returned. Most shops remained shut however so the decline is over 50% on last ...

Australian natural spread brand Mayver’s unveils two new peanut butters to add to their range – Skin on and Extra Crunchy. Building upon the already loved original varieties, Mayver’s Skin On Peanut Butter uses the same recipe of lightly roasted peanuts and a pinch of salt, but keeps the peanut skins on to pack 3.3g of fibre into each 20g serving. For the Extra Crunch flavour? 60% more crunch! Mayver’s Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter is for those lovers of peanut butter who love the extra texture and mouthfeel of a super crunchy nut spread. “We’ve been working on these spreads for a while to make sure we got them just right for our peanut butter connoisseurs,” says Mayver’s owner, Paul Raff. “Mayver’s Skin On Peanut Butter has a slightly more earthy texture and flavour, with visible brown flecks of peanut skin blended throughout and plenty of ‘hidden’ fibre, perfect for sneaking into kids’ diets. “Our family really enjoys a crunchy peanut butter and Mayver’s Extra Crunchy Peanut Butte...

The fashion house’s update of Michael Jordan’s classic footwear is set to bring joy to sneakerheads and point the way forward for luxury shopping. Is this the restart of hype? Two months ago, it was modish to theorise that consumer desire for extravagant luxury fashion might never recover from the pandemic. But two months is a long time in fashion, and this week sees the blockbuster must-have come roaring back into style. On 1 July, an online prize draw will decide the lucky few who have won the privilege of spending £1,800 on the new Air Dior trainers. Even by the hype standards of the sneakerhead world, the buzz around the luxury take on basketball’s most iconic hi-top is breaking pre-pandemic decibel records. Next week’s pop-up Selfridges “collection point” for the first Air Jordan 1 OG Dior sneakers will be the first luxe iteration of the click-and-collect retail mode that is part of our contactless new normal. The hands-on elements of the pop-up had to be shelved to comply with ...

The Large Format Retail Association (LFRA) is extending membership for a minimum six months to new and current members at no cost. Membership fees for over 140 members and brands for the LFRA are usually charged on a financial year basis. Philippa Kelly “Trading conditions have been quite varied across our industry due to COVID-19,” says CEO of the LFRA, Philippa Kelly. “To do our bit the LFRA has decided to offer all members a free 6-month extension on current membership to 1 January, 2021. “I am really proud of how retailers and landlords have worked together during these uncertain times.” The Large Format Retail industry was able to trade continuously throughout the COVID-19 pandemic due to its convenience. Consumers spending habits have changed and retailers have adapted to differing trading, operational requirements, and restrictions across Australia. “Large Format Retail stores have a large footprint and are often situated at ground level, so shoppers and staff felt safe...

The COVID-19 pandemic left many a retail operation in the lurch, with stores shutting down worldwide and online operations left high and dry with the supply chain not functioning due to a global lockdown. As lockdowns are easing, and retail is re-opening in phases, many brands are reimaging themselves to better serve the COVID consumer. […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/3gbql9V via IFTTT

Nationwide retail turnover increased by an average of 45.3% in May compared to April with retailers in all states reporting increased revenue, except for the ACT, according to recent data released by Vend, compiled from almost 14,000 independent Australian retailers. Western Australia was the standout state with revenue up 65.8% in May compared to April, followed by Victoria (58.6%), Tasmania (49.6%), Northern Territory (41.5%), South Australia and Queensland (39.7%), New South Wales (34.1%). The ACT was the only state to see a decline in revenue, which fell 6.6% in May. However, revenue is a national average of 12.8% lower than it was in February, suggesting there is a long way to go to reach pre-COVID-19 levels. Nonetheless, Vend managing director for Asia Pacific, Dave Scheine told Retailbiz the post-lockdown retail spring is finally dawning in almost every state. “With customers returning to stores, high streets and markets, while retailers adapt quickly to provide the delight...

The Retail Ready Jobs Program is a government-funded initiative under Smart and Skilled funding. This Program focuses on building the skills and capabilities of applicants to ensure they are equipped to meet the needs of retailers. The Program provides an entry-level employment pathway for people into the retail industry. The combination of knowledge-based, four-week, and one-day training, and an additional two weeks of practical work placement, provides the opportunity for applicants to learn new skills on the job that are required to get employed. Applicants are also offered work placement opportunities through our broad network of national retailers. The Australian Retailers Association as the lead industry body and retail training provider with 7500+ industry members, place the students within large and medium-sized retail businesses across the country to provide the opportunity for retailers to trial students for the positions at no cost! Our trainers are experts in retail who ...

A number of significant changes to retail and commercial leasing laws come into effect tomorrow, which will provide greater protections for tenants. “These changes are the result of a very comprehensive and extensive consultation process with stakeholders and an independent review by former District Court Judge Alan Moss,” Small Business Commissioner John Chapman said. “For example, landlords will be required to provide prospective tenants with a disclosure statement and a draft lease as soon as negotiations commence. “This is to ensure there is full transparency around the terms and conditions at the earliest stages of negotiation.” Mr Chapman said another change is the requirement for landlords to provide prospective tenants with a copy of the retail and commercial leasing guide produced by the Small Business Commissioner. “This Guide is an important document and, in general, sets out the rights and obligations of all parties as well as some very practical advice,” Mr Chapman s...

Whether you’re just setting up shop or been running your store for decades, acquiring new customers and keeping the ones you already have are paramount. The good news is that there are more than enough ways to market your business. In this post, we’ll shed light on the ins and outs of retail marketing and offer insights into the various strategies you can use in your business.  What is retail marketing? Retail marketing pertains to the strategies and tactics that retailers use to attract customers and drive sales. Retail marketing has 4 key components, also knows as the “4 Ps”: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Product.  First is the Product, which is the physical item that’s being sold. Price.  The second is Price, which refers to the pricing strategy that the merchant uses to sell the item. (Examples include “everyday low prices,” implementing pricing psychology like using “$9.99” etc.) Place.  Third is “Place” which refers to the location or platform us...

// The City of Leicester has been dragged back into lockdown after a spike in cases // Non-essential shops in the area have been forced to close again just two weeks after they reopened A local lockdown has been imposed on Leicester after a spike in coronavirus cases in the city, forcing non-essential shops in the area to close just two weeks after reopening. The situation comes as the rest of England prepares to ease restrictions on places of social gathering such as pubs and restaurants from July 4. England started to lift lockdown restrictions on non-essential retail on June 15, and the other home nations have since followed suit. READ MORE:  Retail lockdown plays a role in UK economy’s biggest fall since 1979 Soft rebound in footfall in week 1 of post-lockdown June consumer confidence rebounds after record lows Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs that non-essential shops in Leicester will close from today and schools will shut to most pupils from Thursday. H...

// Kim Kardashian sells 20% stake in her beauty brand to Coty for £200m // As part of the deal, Kardashian will still promote the business online and will help create new products Cosmetics and beauty giant Coty has bought a 20 per cent stake in Kim Kardashian’s KKW Beauty brand, in a deal that earned her £200 million (£162 million). The deal values the reality TV star’s three-year-old business at £1 billion. It is the second agreement the online marketplace has struck with the famous family, after buying more than half of Kylie Jenner’s makeup line. Kardashian leveraged her huge social media following to build up KKW Beauty, which was founded in 2017 and sells products including lip gloss, body foundation and perfume. As part of the deal with Coty, the 39-year-old will still promote the business online and will help create new products. Coty projected the KKW Beauty deal to close in the third quarter of fiscal 2021. The news comes less than a week after Kardashian’s husband...

As alarming surges in coronavirus cases across the U.S. South and West continue, some  states such as Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Virginia, and more are requiring retail workers to wear face coverings or fabric masks . Wearing masks can stop your team members from spreading respiratory droplets and remind them not to touch their faces. OSHA’s COVID-19 Guidance for Retail Workers lists tips on how to protect your employees while they’re working in your stores and suggests allowing workers to “wear masks over their nose and mouth to prevent them from spreading the virus.” Here are a few tips to consider while deciding what types of masks or face coverings to order. Opt for Branded, Customizable Fabric Masks Your team members are already wearing branded shirts, caps, or uniforms with your logo, why have them wear generic masks? By ordering washable, reusable fabric face masks, you can have your company’s logo printed directly on the front. Look for Masks That Are: ...

A recent poll by the American Psychiatric Association found that 48% of Americans are anxious about contracting the coronavirus. No doubt your customers and employees are most likely experiencing that same sense of anxiety. Why not incorporate solutions that can help put their minds at ease? Items such as PPE stations, sanitizing mats , durable social distancing decals, and/or social distancing signpost can even be customized and branded to align with your stores. Restock Bins for Unwanted Items How about adding restock bins at the end of aisles or near register areas? Restock bins allow customers to put items back without worrying about the risk of contaminating other products. Signage instructs customers on how to properly use the restock bin. This is also a convenient way for customers to change their minds without causing your stores to appear unorganized . Employees will later gather, sanitize, and restock the unwanted items left in the restock bin. Divider Screens to Pre...

Aptos, a recognised market leader in retail technology solutions, today announced that Pets At Home has selected the Aptos ONE platform to power its retail operations and customer engagement strategies. With the adoption of the microservices-based SaaS platform, Pets At Home is advancing its vision to fully modernise its retail technology infrastructure. from Retail Times https://ift.tt/3dHlBHv via IFTTT

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The first-ever Raley’s O-N-E Market opened Saturday in the Northern California town of Truckee. The retailer said the 35,000 square foot store blends the grocer’s 85-year commitment to exceptional service with a focus on transparency and education. The result is a unique shopping destination with a highly curated product selection, the company said. “It has become increasingly clear that our customers want to know where their food comes from, what’s in it and how it may impact their overall health and wellness,” Raley’s president and CEO Keith Knopf said in a statement. “We are consistently listening and learning, and that’s led us to the next step in our company’s transformation: Raley’s O-N-E Market. It’s a shopping destination that gives customers access to and information about thousands of products for healthier eating.” Raley’s said it has been working for more than five years to change “the way the world eats, one plate at a time.” To that end Raley’s...

// UK economy suffered biggest quarterly fall since 1979, with lockdown being a major reason, says ONS // Activity tumble 2.2%, worse than the forecast 2% fall The UK economy contracted by more than initially thought between January and March as the coronavirus crisis saw activity tumble 2.2 per cent in the joint largest fall since 1979, official figures have shown. The ONS had previously estimated a two per cent drop in first-quarter GDP, but said the revision came after data now showed a record 6.9 per cent plunge in March, the month the coronavirus was declared a pandemic and took a hold in the UK. However, with the nationwide lockdown – especially the shutdown of high streets and shopping centres – coming into force in the later weeks of the quarter on March 23, the second quarter is expected the full hit on the economy since the UK was brought to a standstill for much of it. READ MORE:  Bill Grimsey calls for new localised approach to saving high streets Crunch tim...

KEASBEY, N.J.  — Wakefern Food Corp. is teaming up with Solutions for Retail Brands (S4RB) to provide new information sharing software that will allow the retailer-owned grocery cooperative to work more closely with its own brand vendors. S4RB’s Affinity platform for Wakefern will allow the retailer to use a proprietary online portal and database to provide real-time data and analytics, the companies said, enabling Wakefern to collaborate with new and existing vendor partners, and continue to grow its own brand portfolio. The platform will integrate with existing Wakefern systems through all stages of its private brand process, from development and launch of new products, to product sales and post-purchase review. “We are excited to join forces with Solutions for Retail Brands (S4RB), and are confident the new platform will help us continue to elevate our own brand lines – and ultimately benefit our cooperative, retail members and shoppers,” said Chris Skyers, vice president of O...

Work began in January and it still isn’t over – but customer service isn’t available In October last year we purchased a £7,500 kitchen from Ikea’s Bristol store which was due to be installed by the end of January 2020. Due to incorrect parts being supplied, the Ikea installer was not able to complete the installation, chiefly because the worktops were not the right size. We were later told they were no longer available. Continue reading... from Retail industry | The Guardian https://ift.tt/31tjeFD via IFTTT

India went under lockdown on March 23, 2020, plunging its economy into darkness, the economic outlook very bleak owing to the COVID-19 virus. So far, over the last 3 months, the country has witnessed four phases of lockdown and a less restricted phase termed as ‘Unlock 1.0’ which is currently underway and is expected to […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2VtaGeg via IFTTT

Amazon India announced on Monday it has eliminated all single-use plastic in packaging originating from its 50-plus fulfilment centres in the country. In September 2019, the company had pledged to meet this goal in an accelerated time frame by June this year, it said in a statement. The first milestone towards this goal was achieved […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/31t6M8R via IFTTT

Raymond Ltd on Monday reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 69.10 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 2020, impacted by the coronavirus-induced lockdown. According to a PTI report: The company had posted a net profit of Rs 67.70 crore during January-March quarter of the previous fiscal, Raymond said in a regulatory filing. Revenue […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/3eLMP0L via IFTTT

Amazon Australia has announced plans to open its first Amazon robotics fulfilment centre (FC) at Goodman’s Oakdale West Industrial Estate in western Sydney. Targeted for building completion in late 2021, the new FC is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs with “industry leading” pay and the opportunity to work alongside advance robotics. The construction and fit out of the state-of-the-art facility will create an additional 700 jobs. The FC, according to Amazon Australia, will be equipped with the “most advanced” Amazon robotics technology to better assist employees and serve customers. It will also contribute to its efforts to deliver a “smarter, faster and more consistent” experience for its customers around Australia. The robots, says Amazon Australia, will help speed order processing time by moving shelves to employees. This is expected to reduce the time and efforts taken to stow items for sale or pick them for new customer orders and create a more pleasant work environment. ...