Including strong first quarter sales for both B&M and Matalan.
The Source rounds up some of the key retail stories of the week.
Value retailer B&M has reported its strongest first quarter in three years, according to its boss. Sales grew 18.3% in actual rates and 17.2% in constant currencies to £656.3 million during the period from March 26 to June 24 in the UK and April 1 to June 30 in Germany. The growth was attributed to strength in grocery, good weather and the timing of Easter. UK like for likes also increased 7.3% compared with a flat quarter last year. B&M opened six new stores during the period, taking its total to 543 shops.
Matalan has seen its profits and sales surge in its first quarter, with an ongoing focus on full price sales being attributed to the growth. EBITDA grew 37.7% to £22.3 million in the 13 weeks to May 27. Sales grew 1.3%, however full price sales increased 21.5%.
Marks & Spencer boss Steve Rowe has said that trading in the first quarter was ‘in line with expectations’, with the retailer continuing to grow full price sales in clothing and home – up 7%. Food sales remained broadly flat during the 13-week period – dipping 0.1% on a like for like basis. This drove total UK sales up 2.6% to £2.26 billion.
ASOS has seen its total retail sales rise 32% year on year to £660.1 million in the four months to June 30. International sales soared by 44%, while UK sales increased 16%. Active customer numbers, average basket value and active order frequency grew 25%, 3% and 6% respectively.
John Lewis posted a 2% increase in sales year on year to £86.7 million in the week to July 8. Star performer was electricals and home technology – up 8.4%. However, fashion dipped 1.6% despite the beauty, wellbeing and leisure sales category growing 4.1%. Outdoor living products also delivered the strongest July sales performance to date, up 55%.
Retail sales in June climbed 1.2% according to new figures from the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. Warmer weather helped to benefit a number of categories ranging from summer clothing and food through to outdoor toys.
Aldi has kicked off a major recruitment drive as it looks for 4,000 new employees across its stores and distribution centres.
Sport Direct’s Mike Ashley has acquired 44 million shares in GAME, giving him a 25.75% stake. He already has stakes in retailers including Debenhams, Findel and French Connection.
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