Tag: retail

Ne’er Day campaign escalates as Usdaw makes the case for closing large shops on 1 January

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has published the results of an extensive survey of Scottish retail staff, who overwhelmingly back the closure of large shops on New Year’s Day, and is calling on all MSPs to support the motion tabled by Jackie Baillie MSP in the Scottish Parliament.

Usdaw’s survey of over 1,000 shopworkers in Scotland found that:

  • Three quarters feel they spend too little time with friends and family over New Year.
  • 72% have come under pressure to work on New Year’s Day or 2 January.
  • Four in ten don’t receive any premium pay for working on New Year’s Day.
  • 79% are not happy to work on New Year’s Day or 2 January.

The full survey results can be viewed at: www.usdaw.org.uk/NYDSurvey

Stewart Forrest, Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer says: “This survey clearly demonstrates the strength feeling among our members. We have today written to all MSPs asking them to support Jackie Baillie’s motion calling for a decent break at New Year after the busy Christmas period.

“I have also written to the Scottish Retail Consortium urging them to reconsider their opposition to large stores closing on New Year’s Day. Usdaw does not accept that giving retail workers in large stores just one more day of guaranteed time off would have a negative impact on our high streets. 72% of our members who worked on New Year’s Day 2019 said that their store was either very quiet or fairly quiet.

“Usdaw is fully supportive of efforts to revitalise Scotland’s high streets. The livelihoods of our members depend on a thriving retail sector. That is why we are calling on the Government to implement an industrial strategy for retail and to take action on a whole range of issues, from business rates to parking charges and public transport, in order to breathe life back into the industry. We are seeking to work with the Scottish Retail Consortium, so we can tackle these issues together.”

Jackie Baillie MSP, (Scottish Labour, Dumbarton) said: “Retail staff work incredibly hard all year round, and are often on their feet for long shifts. Christmas and New Year is a time which should be spent with family, and there are few days in the year when families are off at the same time.

“The results of Usdaw’s survey show that the overwhelming majority of respondents want to spend more time with their families during Christmas and New Year.

“I hope that all of my MSP colleagues will recognise that everyone deserves a day off for New Year and will support the motion that I have tabled in the Scottish Parliament.”

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “We are very grateful to Jackie Baillie MSP for the support she is giving to our members and this campaign. New Year is a special holiday in Scotland, but this is not reflected in the experience of many retail workers.

“Under the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007, Scottish Ministers may, by statutory instrument, ban large shops from opening on New Year’s Day, subject to consultation.

“On behalf of Scotland’s retail workers, we are urging the Scottish Government to open that consultation and for MSPs to listen to shopworkers concerns about their work/life balance.”

Hotel Chocolat open at Fort Kinnaird

Fort Kinnaird has given shoppers a very tasty treat with the opening of its brand-new Hotel Chocolat store.

The new shop, the 160th that the luxury British chocolatier and cacao grower has opened in the UK this year, houses more than 80 different ranges of the finest chocolate including its famous slabs, boxes and hampers. Continue reading Hotel Chocolat open at Fort Kinnaird

British Retail Consortium: spending languishes in July

Covering the four weeks 30 June – 27 July 2019

  • On a total basis, sales increased by 0.3% in July, against an increase of 1.6% in July 2018. This is the lowest figure recorded for the month of July since our records began in 1995 and comes after the worst June on records. This is above the 3-month average of -1.3% but below the 12-month average of 0.5%. This is the lowest 12-month average on records.
  • UK retail sales increased by 0.1% on a Like-for-like basis from July 2018, when they had increased 0.5% from the preceding year. This is above the 3-month and 12-month averages of -1.5% and -0.2% respectively.
  • Over the three months to July, In-store sales of Non-Food items declined 4.1% on a Total basis and 4.0% on a Like-for-like basis. This is worse than the 12-month Total average decline of 2.6%.
  • Over the three months to July, Food sales decreased 1.0% on a Like-for-like basis and 0.3% on a Total basis. This is below the 12-month Total average growth of 1.8% and the lowest 3-month average since December 2014, excluding Easter distortions.
  • Over the three-months to July, Non-Food retail sales in the UK decreased by 2.0% on a like-for-like basis and 2.1% on a Total basis. This is below the 12-month Total average decrease of 0.6%. For the month of July, Non-Food was in growth year-on-year.
  • Online sales of Non-Food products grew 3.7% in July, against a growth of 7.5% in July 2018. The 3-month and 12-month average growths were 3.1% and 4.7% respectively.
  • Non-Food Online penetration rate increased from 28.4% in July 2018 to 29.8% last month.

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive | British Retail Consortium

“While retailers will welcome the return to growth, it has nonetheless been a punishing few months for the industry. The combination of slow real wage growth and Brexit uncertainty has left consumer spending languishing with the 12-month average total sales falling to a new low of just 0.5%.

Whereas last year’s glorious sunshine and World Cup Finals led to strong consumer demand over the summer, this year has been weak in comparison, with both June and July showing the lowest sales on record for their respective months. And it is not just high streets that are suffering, with Non-food online growth also one percentage point below the 12-month average.

“The challenging retail environment is taking its toll on many high street brands who must contend with rising import costs, a multitude of public policy costs, and ever higher business rates. A coherent strategy for retail is needed. The Government should freeze future business rates rises and fix the appeals system before embarking on a wholesale reform of this broken tax system.”

Paul Martin, UK Head of Retail | KPMG

“The UK may have had record temperatures in July, but retail sales were far from record-breaking at just 0.3% growth. While any growth is welcome after two months of decline, it’s clear that most players need more than sunshine to get back on their feet.

“Given the weather it’s unsurprising that shoppers reconsidered their wardrobe, but it was online retailers who benefitted most once again. Online non-food sales overall actually grew by only 3.7%, which is considerably lower than previous years. Meanwhile, another category which has historically benefitted from the good weather is grocery, but even here sales are lacklustre, which is a cause for concern.

“With consumer confidence holding up in the face of prolonged Brexit uncertainly, shoppers are notably disengaged overall. The pressure continues to build between online and physical offerings, costs continues to rise and the demands of consumers continue to grow. The key question is, who can handle the heat?”

Food & Drink sector performance | Susan Barratt, CEO | IGD

“Success for England’s big sporting teams tends to provide a boost for food and drink sales, so the men’s cricket and the women’s football teams were both good for business in June. However, the same applied last year with similar sporting success, and the year-on-year comparison was a draw with flat food and grocery sales. 

“There has been some inflation though, meaning a drop in real terms and the underlying conditions are tight for food retailers.”

Sainsbury’s – Asda merger deal blocked by regulator

The Competition and Markets Authority has blocked the £14 billion Sainsbury’s – Asda merger after finding it would lead to increased prices in stores, online and at many petrol stations across the UK. Sainsbury’s say the regulator’s rebuff will take £1 billion in savings from customers’ pockets.  Continue reading Sainsbury’s – Asda merger deal blocked by regulator

Stockbridge: the land of Milk and Honey

New business venture announced for Raeburn Place

Raeburn Place Foundation (RPF) is pleased to announce that Milk & Honey, a trading arm of Sweet by Scotts Limited, will establish an upmarket gelateria in its new development at Raeburn Place, Stockbridge. Continue reading Stockbridge: the land of Milk and Honey

Edinburgh shopping centre central to Scottish economy

A report released today by Fort Kinnaird, Edinburgh’s leading retail and leisure destination, has highlighted the significance of the centre’s contribution to the Scottish economy. With 14 million visits in 2017, Fort Kinnaird has seen its Recruitment and Skills Centre help 3,200 people into work over the past five years. Continue reading Edinburgh shopping centre central to Scottish economy

John Lewis Edinburgh celebrates Easter with egg-citing family events

Retailer launches Easter programme as it reports increase in demand for seasonal gifts and party decorations

John Lewis reveals Easter celebrations are set to be bigger than ever as the nation embraces the annual spring holiday with bespoke eggs, DIY tea parties adorned with decorative eggs and bunting, and cracking Easter bunny hunts. To get set for an Easter egg-stravaganza, the Edinburgh store has launched a Bunny Bunting workshop and Easter Bunny hunts for kids and adults alike. Continue reading John Lewis Edinburgh celebrates Easter with egg-citing family events