Newspaper retail round-up
A roundup of retail news form the newspapers this week… Google, Kingfisher, M&S, snow, Tesco, Morrisons, online shopping.
Google to launch e-book store
Google has launched its e-book challenge to Amazon and Apple with its plans to sell books online.
Kingfisher boosted by international sales
Kingfisher, which owns B&Q in the UK, says international growth buoyed its business in the face of depressed sales in the UK. Overall profit growth of 8.2% to £240m, on flat sales during the three months to 30 October.
From The Financial Times
M&S gets poetic with consumers
Marks & Spencer has impressed a customer by responding to a complaint letter written in verse with a poem of its own. It included the line: “We need the cash in our hand/ To spread the M&S brand,”
Snow hits sales performance
The cold snap and snow across the UK has cost retailers millions of pounds in lost sales as shoppers stayed away from the high street. Shopper numbers fell by up to half and online sales suffered as shoppers feared delivery problems.
Retail inflation slows
Retail inflation slowed for the first time in five months during November, according to the British Retail Consortium, but retailers warn that the New Year could bring sharp price increases.
From The Guardian
Kate Middleton dress boosts Tesco clothing sales
Tesco’s Florence & Fred clothing line helped boost the supermarket’s trading figures, particularly its £16 replica of the blue Issa dress Kate Middleton wore to announce her engagement to Prince William.
From The Times
Busiest online day
British shoppers spent £832,000 online at 1:15pm – the peak sales minute on Monday (6 December) making it the busiest ever online shopping day, according to IMRG.
Morrisons to sell small bottles of wine
Morrisons is introducing smaller bottles of wine to reduce the health risk of drinking at home. The supermarket says the 50cl size will reduce the temptation to finish a 75cl bottle of wine and reduce consumption.
Snow could hit Christmas food supplies
Farmers have warned that the snow and freezing weather could impact food supplies in the run up to Christmas.
Location based pricing hits shoppers
Shoppers face a postcode lottery on prices and are being charged up to 80% more for goods depending on where they live.
From The Telegraph
