MBS Intelligence
Retail
Shopping for Spring
A subject I love talking about and debating is whether ‘retail theatre’ in supermarkets is still as relevant today as it was in days gone by. Since Covid, all of my repeat supermarket items have been bought on...
On the move: how innovation in food-to-go is driving…
The food-to-go segment has had a rollercoaster few years. Hit hard by the pandemic, sandwich sellers and manufacturers have had to navigate unpredictable trading patterns since 2020, and adapt to new, and different,...
Women to Watch in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail…
The MBS Group is delighted to present the 2024 edition of the Women to Watch in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail Index, produced in partnership with WiHTL and Diversity in Retail. Now in its sixth year, the...
From Cape Town to Camden: gardens with purpose
On the 1st July 2019, Dorp opened its doors to the public in Cape Town. Since then, my annual visit ‘home’ to South Africa has brought me to this hotel/home from home, on the highest hill underneath Signal Hill and...
Where will our future merchants come from?
Those who know me know that I’m passionate about the UK as a nation of shopkeepers. There’s nothing I love more than speaking to and learning from a true merchant – someone who deeply understands their customer...
Carrefour: a new sheriff in town?
In the 2000s, the global retail CEO community was dominated by alumni of ASDA and Walmart. In the 2010s, this nexus of power shifted to a generation of retail CEOs who trained at Tesco in its heyday. Now, in the past...
Franchising Folly?
Brands in the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry – together with adjacent sectors such as coffee and convenience retail – have in recent years transitioned to structures that allow, in some cases, for the...
How M&S have spearheaded the Say Pants to the…
Over the past two weeks, the retail industry has rallied together in support of M&S’ Say Pants to the Tax Campaign, which calls on the Government to slash VAT on period pants. In 2021, the Government made the...
A visit to Amsterdam’s Duikelman kitchen shop
Anyone who knows me well knows that I love stores! One of my favourite ways to explore a new city is through its shops. I always wander through the supermarkets, and in the past I made sure to visit local department...
Latest Retail News
WH Smith celebrates solid performance in its travel business The retailer has said that in the six months to 29 February, group revenue rose by 8% to £926m, bringing in pre-tax profits of £46m. Revenue was up 13% at WH Smith's fast-growing travel unit. Read more.
Sainsbury’s hails profit growth for full year The grocer has announced that full-year headline profits were a fraction better than expected at £701m for the 12 months to the beginning of March. Sainsbury's has said that it is forecasting a spike in profits for the current financial year. Read more.
Musical instruments retailer Gear4music trading in line with expectations The specialist retailer has said total sales in the 12 months to 31 March declined by 5% to £144m, after edging up 1% in the UK and falling by 12% internationally. Read more.
Tortilla like-for-like sales up 3.6% for the full year The UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand has reported a 3.6% increase in like-for-like sales for the year ending 31 December 2023, generating revenue of £65.7m. The business opened a string of new sites in the period. Read more.
Japan’s 7-Eleven targets global expansion The retail giant has said that it is looking to roll out its 7-Eleven convenience store chain globally, and will be kick-starting its entry into Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Read more.
Half-year operating profit jumps 46% at Primark Primark owner ABF has reported a 46% spike in profits at the value retailer, to £508m. Revenue in the business was up 7.5% to £4.5bn. Alongside its results, the business has said it will roll out click-and-collect to all shops in England. Read more.
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