News and Trends

 Namnews,  4th November 2020 Marks & Spencer has posted its first loss in 94 years as a publicly listed company after the coronavirus crisis decimated sales in its clothing and homeware division. The retailer made a pre-tax loss of £87.6m in the six months to 26 September, compared to a profit of £158.8m in the same period last year. Group revenue slid 15.8% to £4.09bn. As previously flagged by the business, the first full lockdown and subsequent social distancing measures took their toll on its Clothing & Home unit which posted a loss of £107.5m. This reflected a sales decline 40.8% over the half-year which comprised of a fall of 61.5% in the first quarter and 21.3% in the second. As well as the impact from store closures, the group also pointed to a drop in demand for formalwear and outerwear as people stayed at home and social gatherings were cancelled. One of the few bright spots was M&S’ food business which performed relatively well and saw profits climb 19% t...

  www.retaildetail.eu The largest Aldi in the world opens in the German Ruhr area. The XXL shop covers an area of around 2,000 square metres, twice as large as the average. Two stores in one Saturday in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, Aldi Süd's largest branch to date will open its doors. The supermarket - or rather hypermarket - has almost 2,000 square metres of sales space, which is about twice as large as an average discounter's store. The product range remains the familiar one, but above all there is significantly more space. The store is the result of the amalgamation of two properties: the former Aldi branch in the Mannesmannallee - which has existed since 1993 - and the adjoining property, which increased sales space by some 300 square metres. After the conversions, the discount supermarket now covers a total area of 1,940 square metres. Herb garden and baking ovens The expansion is made possible by a new, flexible concept for the layout of the supermarkets, which makes ...

A good visit to this store on Friday. A new look Nisa, opened one week ago opposite Stamford College. The dedicated food-to-go counter is a key addition and undoubtedly takes the Nisa proposition forward. Access to the Co-op range also helps drive range, quality and value credentials, not least in chilled ranges and BWS. The overall look and feel of the store impressed, supported by a black core colour scheme helping the products themselves to shine. Some strong wider range development, not least around local meats and pastries , local bakery and locally sourced cakes & sweet treats. Two self-checkouts installed to support core till point. It’s still early days with the food-to-go counter offer, and the key test will be this week as students return to the college after half-term, but with a good menu selection at affordable price points it should be well-placed to succeed.   Source: Gavin Rothwell Daily Update 2nd Nov 2020

www.scottishgrocer.co.uk Convenience is big business The full ACS Local Shop Report is available for download at www.acs.org.uk CONVENIENCE stores generated more than £44 billion in sales in the last year, according to ACS’s Local Shop Report for 2020. The report found that c-stores continue to be a major sector in the UK economy, with 46,955 stores employing 412,000 staff and a gross value added (GVA) tax contribution in excess of £10.1bn. Wales continues to have the most c-stores per head in the UK, with one shop per 1.058 people, closely followed by Scotland at one store per 1,082. The report also revealed that retailers haven’t been afraid to invest in their businesses, with convenience retailers estimated to have invested over £585 million in their stores. This report also offered some analysis of how lockdown has affected the convenience channel. It found that two thirds of retailers reported an increase in sales over the period. It also revealed that the convenience chan...

  hospitalityandleisure-design.cdn.ampproject.org Pret A Manger’s has launched a new flagship store in Heathrow Airport Terminal 2. This premium retail space sought for a unique identity whilst maintaining the Pret A Manger brand. A revived secondary colour palette brings refreshing tones to a contemporary industrial aesthetic, with bespoke joinery features welcoming guests in at one of the world’s busiest airports.  As InsideOut’s first project for Pret A Manger, they were appointed to design and deliver this 4400ft 2  unit, setting a benchmark for Pret’s operations and retail within Heathrow Terminal 2. InsideOut worked closely with Pret’s project and design team to streamline customer flow and service in a typically swift-paced airport environment.  With a shop front that spans 24 metres, InsideOut knew this was a perfect opportunity to amplify this well-known brand in a densely populated retail space.  They opened up the previously obstructive facade, not...

spar-international.com SPAR Netherlands has acquired a majority stake in The Tosti Club, a premium grilled sandwich chain with eleven branches nationwide. The Tosti Club already features as an instore food-to-go offering at SPAR stores in Arnhem and Zwolle. With this acquisition, SPAR is growing its market share in the foodservice industry considerably. According to SPAR Netherlands CEO John van der Ent, “the acquisition of The Tosti Club is a logical step to speed up our foodservice business and to further enhance the convenience offering at SPAR stores. The Tosti Club’s sandwiches are of high quality, and they are also a typical Dutch product. They may well become one of our signature products.” SPAR’s convenience proposition responds to changing consumer behaviour. While people used to have three meals a day, smaller meals are now being consumed six times a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner with three moments for a snack in between. SPAR already offers customers a variety of conveni...

Results here , showing a particularly strong growth in the US, but also market share gains in both Netherlands and Belgium, where online capacity was also increased.  Net sales were €17.8 billion, up 6.8%; up 10.1% at constant exchange rates U.S. and Europe comp sales growth excluding gas in Q3 was up 12.4% and 7.5%, respectively  Net consumer online sales grew 62.6% in Q3 at constant exchange rates COVID-19 related costs were approximately €470 million YTD and €140 million in Q3, including safety measures and enhanced associate pay  Underlying operating margin was 4.6% in Q3, up 0.2% points from the prior year at constant exchange rates  Diluted underlying EPS of €0.50, up 12.3%; up 15.9% at constant exchange rates  2020 underlying EPS outlook raised to the high 20% range; free cash flow to be at least €1.7 billion, net of Q4 payment for U.S. pension withdrawal, and capital expenditures of around €2.5 billion  Announcing a new €1 billion share buyback prog...

  HALF YEAR RESULTS FOR 26 WEEKS ENDED 26 SEPTEMBER 2020 “ROBUST PERFORMANCE IN UNPRECEDENTED TIMES AS TRANSFORMATION ACCELERATES” corporate.marksandspencer.com | Robust performance in the face of Covid Food adjusted operating profit up 19% as the Group mitigated hospitality/franchise closures: Total LFL up 2.7%, ex. hospitality up 6.6% Ocado Retail revenue up 47.9% and growth in profitability. M&S H1 share of net profit £38.8m Improving C&H performance post spring lockdown: Revenue decline of 61.5% Q1; 21.3% Q2 C&H online sales up 34.3% and market share grown, now #2 in the market Strong sell through of surplus stock. £8m raised for NHS Charities through ‘Rainbow Sale’ Adjusted operating profit of £61.8m and free cashflow of £77.6m Net debt reduced, substantial liquidity with £1.4bn of cash and available facilities Group revenue down 15.8%, adjusted loss before tax of £17.4m and statutory loss before tax of £87.6m Never the Same Again actions to accelerate transformati...