What’s happening in retail & with brands – trends for week ending 3rd August 2012
Company Results
- Ann Summers have reported a 78% increase in sales, year-on-year. Online sales increased by 50% for the same period. (Source: Retail Week)
- BrandAlley have reported a 20% increase in sales to £14m for the first half of 2012. (Source: Internet Retailing)
- Cook Trading have reported a 20% increase in sales to £26.5m for the year to March 2012. Pre-tax profit increased by 101% to £1.3m for the same period. (Source: Retail Week)
- Games Workshop have reported a 6.5% increase in sales to £131.0m for the 53 weeks to 03 June 2012. UK sales increased by 2.6% to £31.7m whilst pre-tax profit increased to £19.5m from £15.3m for the same period.
- Harrods have reported an 11% increase in sales to £651.7m for the year to 28 January 2012. Pre-tax profit increased by 15% to £125.3m for the same period. (Source: Retail Week)
- Inchcape Plc have reported a 6.1% increase in total sales to £3.1bn for the six months to 30 June 2012. Profit before tax increased by 5.8% to £134.2m for the same period.
- John Lewis have reported a 6.2% increase in sales (including VAT) for the week to 28 July 2012. Fashion and Electricals & Home Technology sales increased by 2.8% and 22.9% respectively while Home sales decreased by 1.8%. Sales at johnlewis.com increased by 34.6%.
- Nisa have reported a 4.2% increase in sales to £1.6bn for the year to 01 April 2012. Pre-tax profit increased to £3.8m from £1.7m for the same period. (Source: Retail Week)
- Next have reported a 4.5% increase in sales (excluding VAT) for the 26 weeks to 28 July 2012. Retail sales and Directory sales increased by 0.2% and 13.3% respectively for the same period.
- Portmeirion Group have reported a 2% increase in sales to £22.8m for the six months to 30 June 2012. Pre-tax profit increased by 6% to £1.5m for the same period. (Source: Stock Market Wire)
- Select have reported a 16% increase in total sales for the six months to 27 July 2012. Like-for-like sales increased by 8% for the same period. (Source: This is money)
- Robert Dyas have reported a 2.2% increase in sales to £105.9m for the 53 weeks to 31 March 2012. Like-for-like sales increased by 3.3% for the same period. (Source: Retail Week)
- Waitrose have reported a 13.6% increase in sales (including petrol) for the week to 28 July 2012.
Non-fashion continued its decline this week, with sales falling at the sharpest rate since January 2012 (-7.50%). Retailers which have a heavy reliance on large, London-based department stores were hit hardest, as consumers heeded advice to stay away from prime retail locations to avert potential travel chaos in the first week of the Olympics. After turning negative last week, fashion declined further this week with LfLs slipping to -7.68%. Record breaking temperatures arrived a little too late for fashion stores who have largely now introduced Autumn lines and brought heavy discounting to a close.
The decline in homewares LfL (-20.67%) was the greatest since April 2009. The Olympics was largely to blame, but given the decline was most noted amongst luxury homewares it suggests consumers are still concentrating spend on essentials as economic concerns continue to bite. Although non-store remained in strong positive territory (17.2%), growth was the lowest for six weeks suggesting those deterred from high streets by the weather and Olympics were not switching expenditure online.
Clothing, Footwear & Accessories
- It is reported that Dolce and Gabbana have opened their first airport store at London Heathrows Terminal 5. (Source: Retail Bulletin)
- It is reported that Ricli Limited, owned by Mike Basso, have acquired the Ethel Austin brand and their 32 stores from administrators, Duff and Phelps, securing 196 jobs. (Source: BBC News)
- Figleaves have announced plans to launch their own brand luxury lingerie line called Boudoir in September 2012.
- It is reported that Hein Gericke, the motorbike clothing and parts retailer, have entered into administration. Moorfields Corporate Recovery have been appointed as administrators. (Source: BBC News)
- Vivienne Westwood have announced plans to open their first standalone store in Wales at the St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff. (Source: Retail Bulletin)
- It is reported that Topshop and Topman, have entered into partnership with Edcon and House of Busby, to launch their stores in Sandton City, Johannesburg, South Africa, in November 2012. (Source: Financial Times)
Electrical & Entertainment
- HMV have appointed Trevor Moore, former Chief Executive of Jessops, as their new Chief Executive. Mr. Moore will take up his new role from 03 September 2012. (Source: The Telegraph)
Food & Drink
- Aldi have announced plans to create 3,000 new jobs in the UK over next year as they seek to expand their store portfolio. (Source: The Telegraph)
- Cook Trading are reported to be trialling an online and over-the-phone delivery service from their Clapham store, London, as they looks to expand their multichannel operations. (Source: Retail Week)
- It is reported that Cooplands have acquired Peters Bakery from their administrators KPMG, securing 208 jobs. (Source: Retail Bulletin)
- It is reported that Tony Hoggett, Managing Director of Tesco UK superstores will move to Head Tesco Extra, replacing Claire Peters. (Source: Retail Week)
Household
- B&Q have appointed Christian Mazauric as their new Finance Director, effective September 2012. (Source: Retail Week)
- It is reported that Flying Brands have closed their plant growing and dispatch business effective 30 July 2012. (Source: Retail Bulletin)
- Harvey Nichols have announced plans to open their new concept beauty store in the Liverpool One shopping centre this autumn. (Source: Retail Bulletin)
- JJB Sports have appointed Beverley Williams as their new Interim Chief Executive. (Source: The Telegraph)
- It is reported that Ryman have appointed Richard Bennett as their new Chief Operating Officer. (Source: Retail Bulletin)
- It is reported that Selfridges have appointed Brian Hannon as their new Director of Food and Restaurants, effective 29 October 2012, and have promoted Mark Raban to the role of Finance Director. (Source: Retail Week)
Courtesy of ‘The Thinker‘
