Latest Retail Insight, News, Information & Articles from all top sources for the Internet.

Christina, a 74-year-old woman, only spent about five minutes buying a toaster oven at Macy’s flagship store in New York city on Black Friday morning. “It was quick, it was a short line. It is not very busy now,” the shopper, who did not give her surname, told Xinhua. There were a few dozen in-store […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/39rWda8 via IFTTT

2020 has delivered a VUCA disruption like never before. Even though things have stabilized now, businesses are still struggling to make sense of the debilitating effect of lockdowns on the once buzzing retail landscape. Since the pandemic hit, retail has been evolving by the day. Businesses are compelled to continually explore future business models and […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/3fTZ5xD via IFTTT

The revenue of India’s organised food and grocery (F&G) retail is expected to decline by 5-10 per cent in FY21, India Ratings and Research said on Monday. The ratings agency attributed the decline on Covid-19-led business disruptions and general economic slowdown. In a report issued on Monday, Ind-Ra expects the demand recovery to continue in […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/3qdJ2iZ via IFTTT

The festive online sales in India beat industry estimates to clock $8.3 billion (nearly Rs 61,253 crore) in the October 15-November 15 period — an impressive growth of 65 per cent (on-year), a new report said on Friday. The gross merchandise value (GMV) numbers increased from $5 billion last year upto $8.3 billion this year, […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2KPAizf via IFTTT

Although it’s likely Christmas 2020 will end up looking different compared to previous ones, there is one aspect of the festive season unlikely to change: a love for annual Christmas adverts that’s become ingrained in British culture. From John Lewis Partnership’s highly anticipated Give a Little Love to Sainsbury’s trilogy of festive clips and Sports Direct’s first-ever Christmas advert featuring England footballer Jordan Henderson, retailers have continued to find ways to capitalise on customers’ fondness for the festive season. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic UK retailers this year are expected to spend £718 million less on advertising this Christmas compared with 2019, according to a report from the Advertising Association and advertising agency WARC. Liam Patterson, chief executive of Google shopping platform Bidnamic, said that despite the decreased spend on advertising, consumers aren’t tired of Christmas campaigns. “Just look at the buzz the annual John Lewis ad s

// Asda owner EG Group launches takeover bid for coffee shop chain Caffe Nero // EG Group owners Issa brothers acquired Asda in a £6.8 billion deal in September // EG Group said the offer was a significant improvement on Caffe Nero creditors’ plans to launch a CVA Asda owners Mohsin and Zuber Issa have reportedly placed a takeover bid for struggling British coffee shop chain Caffe Nero. The Issa brothers, who acquired Big 4 grocer Asda in a £6.8 billion deal in September, have written to Caffe Nero founder and owner Gerry Ford with a takeover proposal. The billionaire owners of the UK’s largest petrol forecourt operator EG Group, said Caffe Nero’s landlords would be paid in full for the rent arrears owed to them as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, Sky News reported. READ MORE: Now that it’s returned to British ownership, what’s next for Asda? Asda’s billionaire brother owners sell stake in EG Group EG Group said the offer was a significant improvement on creditors’ pl

// Ebay poaches Asos global brand officer Eve Williams as chief marketing officer // Williams worked as the global brand director of Asos for the last four years // In her new role, Williams will oversee all of Ebay UK’s marketing activity Ebay has poached Asos global brand officer Eve Williams as chief marketing officer with immediate effect. Williams has joined Ebay after a seven-year tenure at Asos, where she has acted as global brand director for the last four years. During her time at Asos, Williams was responsible for marketing and customer programmes, creative, content, consumer communications and social output. READ MORE: Ebay Q3 beats estimates, achieves £2bn in revenue In her new role, Williams will oversee all of Ebay UK’s marketing activity. “With all the change in the lives of consumers and the continued evolution of the ecommerce market, Eve’s role is more important than ever,” Ebay head of Europe Rob Hattrell said. “She will help us introduce and elevate

// Footfall rose by 8.7% in the UK on Black Friday // The greatest rises from the previous week were recorded in UK high streets // Shopping centres recorded the lowest figures New research has found that UK footfall has risen on Black Friday, which marks the first time since late August that footfall has increased in two consecutive weeks. Footfall rose by 8.7 per cent on the shopping holiday, which is four times more than the two per cent rise recorded on Thursday, according to Springboard. Footfall rose by 4.8 per cent across all UK retail destinations last week, which followed directly on from a rise of 5.9 per cent in the week before. READ MORE: Black Friday retail sales drop despite rise in online shopping October sales boosted by shoppers stocking up early for Christmas The greatest rises from the previous week were recorded in UK high streets, which saw a 6.6 per cent rise, while retail parks recorded a 4.9 per cent increase. However, shopping centres recorded

// Currys PC World apologises to customers after Black Friday online surge saw hundreds of pounds wiped off gift cards // Currys PC World said this was due to a temporary website outage and promised to refund affected customers Currys PC World has apologised to customers after some saw hundreds of pounds accidentally wiped off their gift cards in a Black Friday surge. The electricals retailer saw a surge in demand which resulted in its website being completely unavailable for a period of time on Friday evening. Customers reported seeing hundreds of pounds “wiped” from gift cards as they went to purchase items. READ MORE:  Currys PC World delaying refunds during pandemic, says Which? Lockdown prompts Dixons Carphone’s online sales to surge 124% Dixons Carphone to axe 800 jobs as it overhauls store management Richard Langton, who had been hoping to purchase a laptop in the sales, said he lost £450 after the money was taken from his gift card, but the order not fully proce

// Yoox Net-a-Porter Group announces Geoffroy Lefebvre as its new CEO, effective from Jan 4 // Incumbent CEO & chairman Federico Marchetti will remain as chairman of YNAP // Geoffroy Lefebvre is currently group digital distribution director at YNAP parent company Richemont Yoox Net-a-Porter Group has announced the appointment of Geoffroy Lefebvre as its new chief executive. Lefebvre will step into the role on January 4 from YNAP Group’s parent company Richemont, where is he currently group digital distribution director. Lefebvre will also replace incumbent chief executive and chairman Federico Marchetti, who will stay on with YNAP as chairman. READ MORE: Net-A-Porter managing director Nicola Brandolese reportedly steps down Yoox Net-a-Porter CEO Federico Marchetti to step down after 20 years YNAP had started its search for a new chief executive in February after Marchetti announced he would be stepping down from the role when his contract expires. “As part of the

// Black Friday sales fell by more than a 10th compared with a year ago // Barclaycard found that overall payments made to retailers on Friday had dropped by 16.7% compared to a year ago // Most Black Friday sales typically take place in physical shops, highlighting the impact on retailers Black Friday retail sales have dropped despite the rapid surge in online shopping as non-essential stores remain closed in England during the second lockdown. Sales made in physical stores and online fell by more than a 10th compared with Black Friday a year ago, according to figures from Barclaycard. John Lewis said Friday would break all of its previous records for online spending, with sales up by 35 per cent compared with its busiest day during the same period a year ago. READ MORE: How will retailers trade through Black Friday amidst the pandemic? However, the company will record zero sales at all 38 of its shops in England, and at its Glasgow store, where government restrictions h

// Pets at Home purchases The Vet Connection as it works towards improving online offering // Vet Connection offers telehealth advice, triage and ancillary services using its in-house veterinary team // Pets at Home is seeking to transfer The Vet Connection’s capabilities into its operations Pets at Home has acquired veterinary telehealth provider The Vet Connection (TVC) in an effort to build on its online offerings. The pet care retailer has made the purchase for a cash consideration of £15 million, which is being financed by its existing cash reserves. The Vet Connection is a business which offers telehealth advice, triage and ancillary services using its in-house veterinary team, making 90,000 remote consultations a year. READ MORE: Pets at Home and Wickes join M&S in closing stores on Boxing Day Pets at Home is seeking to transfer The Vet Connection’s capabilities into its operations, boosting its digital offering. The retailer reported a 5.1 per cent decline in

// Matchesfashion appoints Elizabeth von der Goltz as newly-created chief commercial officer // It marks the retailer’s third C-level hire in three months // Matchesfashion commercial director Lea Cranfield is leaving for a chief buying & merchandising officer role at Net-a-Porter Matchesfashion has hired Elizabeth von der Goltz to take on the newly-created role of chief commercial officer. The appointment marks the fashion retailer’s third C-level hire in as many months, and follows news last week of commercial director Lea Cranfield leaving her post to return to Net-a-Porter as its chief buying and merchandising officer. Von der Gotz herself is also currently at Net-a-Porter, where she has been global buying director for the last three years, and will leave the online fashion retailer next year to join Matchesfashion. READ MORE: Matchesfashion names new finance & operating chiefs MatchesFashion responds to Black Lives Matter protests with new forum Matchesfashi

// Gov’t relaxing planning restrictions and issues a request to councils to allow shops to trade 24/7 over Dec & Jan // Communities secretary Robert Jenrick says it could help retails recoup some of the losses made from the pandemic // Retailers normally have to go through a lengthy process to apply to local authorities to extend hours outside 9am-7pm Shops will be given permission to trade around the clock as the retail industry tries to recoup some of the losses it has suffered during the pandemic, a cabinet minister has said. Retailers normally have to go through a lengthy and time-consuming process to apply to local authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act if they wish to extend hours outside the window of 9am to 7pm. Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said he wanted to remove the bureaucracy to encourage greater trade – allowing shops to open for up to 24 hours a day in December and January. READ MORE:  Councils urged to encourage shoppers back to th

// A £50m emergency loan to Sir Philip Green’s embattled Arcadia Group falls through // The loan had been offered by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group over the weekend // It’s thought that Arcadia Group could enter administration today Mike Ashley’s plans for an emergency £50 million loan to Sir Philip Green’s struggling Arcadia Group have reportedly fallen through. Green’s retail empire, which includes the Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Burton brands, was recently revealed to be on the brink of collapse with around 15,000 jobs at risk. Senior sources at the company have told BBC News that they do not expect a last-minute rescue deal, which had been flagged by Ashley’s Frasers Group over the weekend. READ MORE: Mike Ashely’s Frasers Group reportedly working on £50m rescue loan for Arcadia 15,000 jobs at risk as Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group faces collapse Arcadia issues could have knock-on effect for JD Sports’ Debenham takeover talks Arcadia Group is expected to fall int

// Exclusive talks between JD Sports and Debenhams come to an end without a deal // Possibility of administration at Debenhams’ biggest concession holder Arcadia would bring new raft of issues for department store JD Sports are thought to be winding down talks with administrators at Debenhams, after a period of exclusivity ended without an agreement to save the department store. Discussions to save Debenhams from collapse intensified this week after it emerged Arcadia could appoint administrators for its fashion retail group, according to City sources cited by Yahoo Finance . Arcadia is Debenhams’ biggest concession holder, and its fashion brands accounted for an estimated £75 million of Debenhams’ annual sales before the pandemic, according to the Sunday Times . READ MORE: JD Sports in exclusive talks with Debenhams over takeover Mike Ashley drops out of Debenhams sale Mike Ashley lashes out after being “excluded” from Debenhams auction Now it is thought JD Sports’ boa

// M&S directors said to be looking into snapping up trio of brands from Philip Day // Reports come after Jaeger makes cuts to store and staff numbers in wake of administration Marks & Spencer directors are looking into the possibility of buying Jaeger, Austin Reed and Jacques Vert according to the Mail on Sunday . The discussions are understood to have involved buying the trio of brands from parent company Edinburgh Woollen Mill owner Philip Day. Jaeger fell into administration earlier this month, and last week said it would cut 103 jobs and close 12 of its stores as administrators continued to search for a buyer. READ MORE: Jaeger administration: 103 jobs axed and 13 stores shut down M&S mulls Jaeger acquisition or partnership The womenswear brand will see its store estate reduced to 63 outlets and concessions, with 244 remaining staff members. Marks & Spencer is understood to be in ‘pole position’ to buy Jaeger, Austin Reed and Jacques Vert, according

// Frasers Group said to offer £50m emergency loan for Arcadia // Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group retail empire could appoint administrators next week // Green family called on to “make good” on estimated £350m pensions fund deficit if group does fall into administration Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group is believed to be working on a £50 million rescue package for Arcadia Group in order to keep the retail giant float, according to Sky News . With widespread reports that Arcadia could be on the verge of appointing administrators, Ashley’s Frasers Group is thought to be working on an emergency loan for the business. “We hope that Sir Philip Green and the Arcadia Group will contact us today to discuss how we can support them and help save as many jobs as possible,” Frasers’ chief financial officer Chris Wootton told Sky News . READ MORE: 15,000 jobs at risk as Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group faces collapse A source close to the deal cited by Sky News said the proposal is likel

// The Entertainer to give staff three “free days” to celebrate Christmas long weekend with loved ones // This means the retailer will close on Christmas Eve and re-opening on Monday, December 28 The Entertainer has announced plans to give its staff a three day break over the Christmas and Boxing Day long weekend. This means the toy retailer will close all 171 of its stores at the end of the day on Christmas Eve, which falls on a Thursday this year, and won’t re-open until Monday, December 28. The news followed an announcement by Marks & Spencer, Pets at Home and Wickes that they will keep all of their stores closed on Boxing Day this year. READ MORE:  The Entertainer warns Christmas gifts may not be delivered in time if shops stay shut Shopworkers deserve Boxing Day off, urges union Pets at Home and Wickes join M&S in closing stores on Boxing Day The shopworkers’ union Usdaw has also written to retail bosses urging them to keep their stores closed on Boxing Day

// Cornucopia, a family-run independent retailer in Worcester, named Britain’s best small shop of 2020 // The Best Small Shops competition is managed by the Independent Retailers Confederation A family-run home and gift retailer has been named Britain’s best small shop of 2020. Cornucopia, based in Worcester, stocks British brands as well as products with a Danish influence that originated with the business founders. During lockdown it opened its Trouva boutique online, with mother-and-daughter owners Clare and Hannah Bishop taking products home from the shop and turning their garage into a distribution centre. This enabled them to distribute products to customers all over the world and open their own online shop. “We feel that customers really want a physical shop to come into. We like to display in a way that gives the customer an idea of what they could recreate at home,” Clare Bishop said. “We have a tremendous team to help support us within the shop, otherwise it just wo

// Northern Ireland’ parliament issues guidance on how non-essential shopping can be done during 2-week lockdown, which started today // Shops can operate on an appointment-only basis for collection to limit the spread of Covid infection // Retailers that do not have an online facility should consider the potential of phoned-in or text ordering Click-and-collect guidance has been published on the first day of a two-week lockdown which has emptied Northern Ireland’s busiest high streets. Belfast city centre was deserted today and major shopping centres like Victoria Square were full of closed shutters. Official guidance stipulates that shops can operate on an appointment-only basis for collection to limit the spread of Covid infection over the next fortnight. READ MORE:  Businesses welcome Northern Ireland’s retail voucher scheme Northern Ireland to shut non-essential retail amid second lockdown BRC responds to end of English lockdown news: “Retailers will be relieved”

// The AA suggests councils should make parking free from December 14 to bring shoppers back to the high street for Christmas // It also warned that parking machines can make social distancing difficult as shoppers queue up to buy tickets Councils should offer free parking from the middle of December to encourage Christmas shoppers back to the high street. Motoring organisation the AA has made the call “to help revive the festive fortunes of beleaguered shops and street traders”. It has warned that parking machines can make social distancing difficult as shoppers queue up to buy tickets. READ MORE:  Primark to introduce 24hr trading in 11 stores amid post-lockdown plans John Lewis outlines plans for reopening stores in England Tesco to implement 24-hour opening times in over 300 stores AA added that although many areas offer pay-by-phone services, a 2017 survey found 70 per cent of motorists would rather drive past than use them. Motorists are put off by extra charges,

// Moss Bros launches CVA proposal in a bid to reduce rental costs // No further details of the CVA have been provided – especially around whether it would impact its 800 staff // The proposal comes less than 6 months after the finalisation of a deal that saw Brigadier Acquisition buy Moss Bros for £22.6m Moss Bros has launched a CVA proposal which aims to “restructure its fixed cost base” after trading was “severely impacted” by the Covid-19 pandemic. The retailer – which specialises in formal menswear and suits and was impacted by store closures, wedding cancellations and decreased demand for office clothing – operates from 128 retail stores and employs about 800 staff. The CVA proposal is intended to reduce its rents in a bid to protect the long-term future of the fashion retailer. READ MORE: Moss Bros chair Colin Porter exits as the retailer goes private Moss Bros to offer private appointments in stores from Monday However, no further details of the CVA have been p

Kicking off in London’s beloved Soho this winter is Soho Speaks, a brand new series of free in-store talks celebrating the people behind the retailers in Soho. Soho, located in the heart of London, is recognised for attracting individualism and creativity, and offers a variety of concept stores, original independents and international brands in the mix. Ahead of Small Business Saturday on December 5, Soho Speaks presents a series of film interviews to celebrate independent businesses in the creative hub of London.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by This Is Soho (@thisissoho) Consumers are able to tune into @ThisIsSoho on Instagram for exclusive videos and Q&As each week throughout November and December. Soho Speaks kicked off on Wednesday in an interview on Instagram TV with well-known Soho tailor Mark Powell, who’s celebrating his 35th anniversary in the area this year. He’s joined the list of business owners to give h

A new Aptos report has delivered much-needed good news for the UK retail sector as it heads into the peak trading season of the year – especially after the challenging year we’ve had. The Golden Quarter 2020: Christmas Is Coming, Come What May report revealed that retail stores have not lost their Christmas sparkle, as the high street remains the preferred destination for shoppers during the golden quarter. Aptos surveyed 2000 shoppers in the UK and asked questions about spending habits, bagging bargains, sale days, and preferred ways to shop – what will get them back through the door and what will keep them away. The survey effectively uncovers what consumers really want and how they plan to shop in this golden quarter. However, this year’s golden quarter will be unlike any other, as different parts of the UK experience a variety of pandemic-related lockdowns and associated restrictions, including the temporary closure of brick-and-mortar stores selling non-essential goods. Neve

Did you know that 75% of UK shoppers are modifying their buying behaviour due to ethical concerns , and that 85% of retail technology leaders will invest the same or more in sustainable shopping initiatives next year? In our latest report Sustainable Shopping: How tech can facilitate conscious consumerism , we reveal the key sustainable shopping initiatives that retailers will be focusing on in the next 12-months and offer ideas for how charity and retail can work together to deliver what consumers want. The report also features re-sale, rental and eco case studies from IKEA, Selfridges and Tesco and a hot-off-the-press infographics from a survey of retail tech leaders where we sought to understand their priorities and goals around sustainable shopping services. Download now. The post Sustainability + Conscious Consumerism (New report) appeared first on Retail Gazette . from Retail Gazette https://ift.tt/2KMENL9 via IFTTT

Amazon says it will no longer work with a delivery driver who was caught on CCTV allegedly failing to delivery a PlayStation 5. Last week Amazon was forced to apologise to customers after many were delivered air fryers, dog food, and toys in place of their £450 PS5 consoles. Other customers including Jenni Walker, who had purchased the PS5 for her son who turned 16 on launch day, were simply left empty handed. While several affected customers reported on social media that their delivery drivers were seen pulling up to their houses before driving away without making a delivery, Walker believes she caught the incident on camera. In CCTV footage shared on Twitter, the delivery driver can be seen handling a PS5 shaped box and returning it to the van in between his deliveries.   According to  Eurogamer , the family contacted Amazon’s customer support team and were offered a refund, which Walker initially refused believing it could end their contract and prevent Amazon providing a rep