Including differing Christmas sales fortunes for John Lewis, B&M and Next.
The Source rounds up some of the key retail stories of the week.
John Lewis enjoyed a 36% year on year sales increase the week before Christmas. Sales of £175.6 million were notched up for the seven days ending December 24. This included two extra trading days compared with the equivalent week in 2015. However, the following week saw sales slide 9.4% to £138.5 million – the retailer attributed this to the fact its stores were closed on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Value retailer B&M saw UK like for likes rising by 7.2% in the three months to December 24, according to its latest figures. Sales rose 20.5%, reaching £741.4 million. Total group revenue (which included sales at the German discount retailer, Jawoll) also grew 20.5% to £789.1 million. According to the retailer, in one week it served over 5.5 million customers.
Fashion retailer Next was hit by a fall in full-price sales for its fourth quarter, dipping 0.4% in the 54 days to Christmas Eve. In the year to date, total sales inched up 0.4% although full price were down 1.1%. However, Directory sales increased 3.6%, although retail sales have dropped 4.3%.
Footfall at London Designer Outlet in Wembley Park grew 4.5% year on year from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. A particular high point was Tuesday December 27, which saw trading boosted 32.8%. Total revenue for that day increased 43.1%, while total trading across the eight day period grew 17.5%.
Sports Direct is to sell the rights to the Dunlop brand for £112 million to Sumitomo Rubber Industries. The move is part of its strategy to focus on its core UK business and relationships with third party brands. The sale is expected to be completed by the end of May.
Debenhams is introducing a new ‘athleisure’ collection this month. Nine by Savannah Miller will be part of the Designers at Debenhams portfolio and will take inspiration from classic ballet shapes and colour palettes. Items will include tops, shorts, leggings and full body catsuits (designed to be worn both for exercise and lounge wear).
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