MBS Intelligence
Retail
D&I activity is not yet translating into meaningful change…
Only a few short years ago, it was very hard to engage most retail leaders in diversity and inclusion: D&I simply wasn’t top of the corporate agenda. Few businesses had D&I strategies, there was poor data on...
Tracking progress on diversity and inclusion in UK retail…
Tracking progress on diversity and inclusion in UK retail 2023, produced in partnership with BRC, measures how diverse and inclusive businesses in UK retail are. Our report draws on MBS research – which encompasses...
Going Dutch: is The Netherlands’ retail sector still a…
The movement of executive talent from country to country is a common feature of the global retail sector. Every year, we see senior executives relocate to lead businesses in new markets, and such placements are normally...
Reflections from South Africa II: Walking in the footsteps…
For a lumbering, gentle giant, Alan Browde is a man in a hurry with one mission in life: to end hunger in South Africa. Before we even begin the interview, he launches straight in, telling me that he doesn’t have a...
Reflections from South Africa part I: Delighting, differentiating, and…
The summer season of 2022/2023 in Cape Town has been a remarkable one. Post-Covid, tourists are back in droves, restaurants, beaches, hotels and stores are full, there is a vibrant atmosphere in the city and the...
Parcel deliveries: a very modern Christmas miracle
Approximately 4.2 billion parcels were delivered in the UK last year. That’s 80.2 million parcels per week, or 11.4 million per day. If my maths is correct, that equates to 132 parcels delivered each and every second!...
Desperately seeking new stores: LA’s newest grocery concept is set…
This year, for the first time since before lockdown, I went to the US to check out stores and new concepts on the West Coast, just like I used to. To be honest, it was not what I was expecting. LA, which is a city...
Tracking progress on D&I in UK retail – where…
Just over a year ago, in partnership with the BRC, we set out to hold up a mirror to UK retail and measure the true status of diversity and inclusion in the sector. This week, we are delighted to share the second...
Tracking progress on diversity and inclusion in UK retail
For a second year running The MBS Group is delighted to have partnered with the BRC to produce the report Tracking progress on diversity and inclusion in UK retail, which holds a mirror up to the retail industry and...
Latest Retail News
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.
JD Sports buys US retailer Hibbett The UK high street giant has inked a deal to acquire the Nasdaq-listed Hibbett for £878m. Hibbett operates 1,169 stores in 36 states, bringing in $1.73bn in annual sales. The move is part of a long-term strategy to enhance JD Sport's presence in the US. Read more.
Asda clocks 24% increase in profits The privately-owned grocer has reported a 24% increase in adjusted profits to £1.07bn. Total sales excluding fuel rose 7.1% to £21.9bn, with like-for-likes up 5.4%. Read more.
Wilko accelerates store rollout plans The general merchandise retailer, which is now run by CDS Superstores, has relaunched its click-and-collect service and opened a string of new stores, with more planned for the rest of 2024. Read more.
Sales up 3% at homeware retailer Dunelm The retailer has reported a 3% uptick in sales for the third quarter to £435m, despite a challenging homewares and furniture market. Dunelm has said that it expects full-year pre-tax profits to be in line with market expectations. Read more.
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