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☆ UK retail sales slide again in October in new blow for economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Andy Bruce | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 17 (Reuters) - British retail sales volumes fell unexpectedly in October as stretched consumers stayed at home, official data showed on Friday in a new warning sign for the economy. Retail sales volumes dropped 0.3% month-on-month, following a revised 1.1% decline in September that was worse than first estimated, the Office for National Statistics said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast that sales volumes would rise by 0.3% on the month in October. Overall the figures fitted with the darkening outlook for Britain's economy, with economic growth stagnant and strong price pressures now fading, albeit slowly. The figures also showed a small downward revision in retail sales for the third quarter.

Persons: Phil Noble, Spencer, James Davey, William James Our Organizations: Shoppers, REUTERS, National Statistics, Reuters, Investors, Bank of England, Retailers, Britain, Tesco, Thomson Locations: Altrincham, Britain

☆ M&S echoes UK peers on early Christmas demand, Ahold looks to loyalty
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A logo of food and clothes' retailer Marks and Spencer (M&S) is seen at a branch in London, Britain March 10, 2022. "We are definitely seeing good sales performance in our Christmas ranges," CEO Stuart Machin told reporters after M&S reported much better-than-expected first half results. BIGGER FAMILY CHRISTMASM&S's Machin said research showed about 20% of its customers wanted to stock up on Christmas food products "slightly earlier" this year, with most of those customers planning for a bigger family Christmas. Still, the retail bosses are hopeful of strong demand for food, drinks and presents from now until the end of December. Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Sarah Young, Kate Holton and Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Marks, Spencer, Toby Melville, Ahold, Stuart Machin, S's Machin, I'm, Machin, James Davey, Sarah Young, Kate Holton, Emelia Organizations: REUTERS, Major, British Retail Consortium, Marks, Tesco, Accenture, Deloitte, PwC, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Europe, United States

☆ UK fashion retailer can revive discount price tag
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Nov 7 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Primark’s improved fast-fashion appeal can power a valuation revival. Assuming sales at the retailer were to grow 7% annually, just half of the 15% jump of last year, they would hit 9.6 billion pounds. If margins were to rise to 10%, that would add 235 million pounds to the conglomerate’s operating profit, which stood at 1.5 billion pounds last year, Breakingviews calculations show. If Primark’s input costs keep falling and it successfully expands in the U.S., it can narrow this gap. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Aimee Donnellan, Aston Martin, Lisa Jucca, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, British Foods, Foods, X, Starbucks, Paramount, Macquarie, Thomson Locations: U.S

☆ Primark owner AB Foods expects growth in new year after profit rises 5%
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It said lower material and freight costs should result in a "substantial recovery" in Primark's gross margin and overall it expects Primark's adjusted operating profit margin to recover strongly from the 8.2% made in 2022/23. "At this early stage we believe that the adjusted operating profit margin will be above 10% with further improvement dependent on levels of consumer demand," it said. For the year to Sept. 16, 2023, it made an adjusted operating profit, its key profit measure, of 1.51 billion pounds ($1.86 billion), up from the 1.44 billion pounds made in 2021/22. Primark's adjusted operating profit fell 3% to 735 million pounds. The group announced an additional share buy back of 500 million pounds after concluding a programme of the same amount last month.

Persons: James Davey, Sarah Young, Miral Organizations: British Foods, Foods, Revenue, Thomson

☆ Yellow’s Rivals Are Getting a Boost From the Trucker’s Demise
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Paul Berger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Freight carrier Yellow shut down operations after 99 years in business. Here’s how ballooning debt and a standoff with the Teamsters union led to Yellow’s downfall. Photo: George Walker IV/Associated PressThe collapse of one of the largest U.S. trucking companies is propping up competitors in a lean freight market. XPO , ABF Freight and Saia are among the carriers reporting strong growth in pricing power, shipment volumes and other key measures during the most recent quarter in trucking’s less-than-truckload sector, a high-stakes corner of the market in which carriers combine freight from multiple customers in a single trailer.

Persons: George Walker IV Organizations: Teamsters, Associated Locations: trucking’s

☆ UK retailers demand government action on rising crime
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Some 88 UK retail leaders, including the bosses of Tesco (TSCO.L), Sainsbury's (SBRY.L) and Marks & Spencer (MKS.L), have signed a letter to interior minister Suella Braverman, demanding action over rising rates of retail crime. Rising crime is increasingly becoming a political issue in Britain ahead of an expected national election in 2024. It also put the scale of retail theft at 953 million pounds ($1.2 billion), despite over 700 million pounds in crime prevention spending by retailers. This would require police forces to record all incidents of retail crime. The industry also wants greater prioritisation of retail crime by police forces across the UK.

Persons: Peter Nicholls, Spencer, Suella Braverman, “, Helen Dickinson, John Lewis, James Davey, Alison Williams Organizations: REUTERS, Tesco, Industry, British Retail Consortium, Conservative, John, John Lewis Partnership, Waitrose, Aldi, Thomson Locations: Weybridge, Britain, Manchester

☆ British retail sales grow in August after washout in July
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - British retail sales partially recovered in August after a rainy July washout, official figures showed on Friday, adding to signs that the country's consumers were mostly coping with the cost-of-living squeeze. Sales volumes rose by 0.4% on a month-on-month basis after a sharp 1.1% fall in July, the Office for National Statistics said. "These were partially offset by internet sales, which dropped slightly as some people returned to shopping in person following a very wet July. However, August's data represented the sixth time so far in 2023 that sales volumes rose on a month-to-month basis, suggesting resilience in consumer demand. Retail sales volumes were 1.4% lower than a year earlier, the ONS said, compared with economists' forecasts for a 1.2% decline.

Persons: Phil Noble, Heather Bovill, GfK, BoE, William Schomberg, James Davey, William James, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, National Statistics, Reuters, Office, Bank of England, British Foods, Thomson Locations: Altrincham, Britain

☆ Britain faces 'epidemic' of shoplifting as Primark profits hit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sadly, in the last year we've seen twice as many offences," Sharon White, chair of the John Lewis Partnership that owns department stores and Waitrose supermarkets, told BBC Radio. Weston said some of the theft was "quite organised" and Primark was also seeing higher levels of anti-social behaviour. His comments echo those of Tesco (TSCO.L) CEO Ken Murphy, who earlier this month said Britain's biggest supermarket chain was offering body-cams to staff who need them. Murphy also called for a change in the law to make abuse and violence towards retail workers a specific offence in Britain. Target (TGT.N), Foot Locker (FL.N) and Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS.N) have all warned that profits have been under pressure from loss of inventory due to theft at their stores.

Persons: John Lewis, It's, we've, Sharon White, White, shoplifters, George Weston, Weston, Primark, Ken Murphy, Murphy, James Davey, Mark Potter Organizations: Police, Foods, John Lewis Partnership, Waitrose, BBC Radio, British Foods, Crown Prosecution Service, Reuters, Tesco, Dick's Sporting, Thomson Locations: Britain, United States

☆ Exclusive: H&M says it will "phase out" sourcing from Myanmar
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Helen Reid | Thomson Reuters | London-Based Reporter Covering The European Retail Sector Through A Global Lens. Focusing On Companies Including Adidas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - The world's second-biggest fashion retailer H&M (HMb.ST) has decided to gradually stop sourcing from Myanmar, it told Reuters on Thursday, as reports of labour abuses in garment factories in the country increase. H&M became the latest brand to cut ties with suppliers in the country after Zara owner Inditex (ITX.MC), Primark (ABF.L), Marks & Spencer (MKS.L) and others. "After careful consideration we have now taken the decision to gradually phase out our operations in Myanmar," H&M said in an email to Reuters. "We have been monitoring the latest developments in Myanmar very closely and we see increased challenges to conduct our operations according to our standards and requirements." Reporting by Helen Reid, Editing by Matt ScuffhamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Inditex, Spencer, Helen Reid, Matt Scuffham Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, Zara

☆ Exclusive: H&M probes Myanmar factory abuses as pressure intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Helen Reid | Thomson Reuters | London-Based Reporter Covering The European Retail Sector Through A Global Lens. Focusing On Companies Including Adidas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The BHRRC has been tracking allegations of workers' rights abuses in garment factories since the military junta took power in Myanmar, plunging it into political and humanitarian crisis. There have been 21 cases of alleged abuses linked to Inditex suppliers over the two-year period, and 20 linked to H&M suppliers, according to the report. The Myanmar Garment Manufacturing Association did not reply to a request for comment. It expects its final orders from Myanmar suppliers to ship before the end of this year, but has also increased its presence on the ground. H&M and Bestseller are among 18 brands that are part of the European Union-funded MADE project aimed at improving labour conditions in Myanmar's garment factories.

Persons: Inditex, Spencer, Primark, we've, Karina Ufert, Vicky Bowman, Bowman, Helen Reid, Vanessa O'Connell, Marguerita Choy, Emelia Organizations: Reuters, Zara, Human Rights Resource, Myanmar Labour News, Myanmar Garment Manufacturing Association, Ethical Trade, European Union, European Chamber of Commerce, Myanmar Centre, Responsible Business, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, British, MYANMAR Spanish, Danish

☆ Trucking giant Yellow declares bankruptcy after nearly 100 years in business
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Trucking giant Yellow declared bankruptcy and will shut down. The company received a $700 million loan from the federal government in 2020. Trucking company Yellow Corp. has declared bankruptcy after years of financial struggles and growing debt, marking a significant shift for the U.S. transportation industry and shippers nationwide. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which was filed Sunday, comes just three years after Yellow received $700 million in pandemic-era loans from the federal government. The Teamsters supported the $700 million loan when it was first announced.

Persons: Darren Hawkins, Sean O'Brien, Yellow, Trump, Bruce Chan Organizations: Teamsters, Morning, Yellow Corp, New England Motor, Former, FedEx, ABF, YRC, Inc, Street, Central States Health, Welfare Fund, U.S, Bankruptcy, Treasury Department, Treasury, Defense Locations: U.S, Nashville , Tennessee, Delaware

☆ Laid off Yellow drivers are going to have a tough time finding similar quality jobs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Roper, who turns 59 in October, said he’s not ready to retire and has already started applying for jobs elsewhere. He’s worked 28 years at Holland Freight, which Yellow bought in 2005. In contrast, less-than-truckload carriers have relatively low driver turnover, an average of 18% to 20%, according to Jindel, which means those jobs, already less numerous than truckload jobs, are open far more rarely. He said he’s already gotten some positive response from some of the LTL carriers he’s applied to, so he’s hopeful. But if that doesn’t work out, he said, he’ll consider looking at jobs in the truckload sector.

Persons: Mark Roper, Roper, he’s, hasn’t, He’s, “, ”, they’re, ” Roper, Satish Jindel, he’ll, Covid, Tom Nightingale Organizations: New, New York CNN, Holland Freight, CNN, UPS, ABF, Drivers, AFS Logistics, Teamsters Locations: New York, truckload

☆ Global retailers cash in on Barbie movie craze
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Helen Reid | Thomson Reuters | London-Based Reporter Covering The European Retail Sector Through A Global Lens. Focusing On Companies Including Adidas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Arriana McLymoreJuly 21 (Reuters) - Shoppers are snapping up Barbie hoop earrings, perfume, jumpsuits, and dresses as retailers seek to cash in on Friday's Barbie film release, reigniting the craze for the plastic doll and her hot pink, sequin-adorned universe. Mattel says the Barbie movie is expected to boost global sales of Barbie dolls, which declined last year from record growth during the pandemic. A Gap Barbie hoodie for women was available only in size XXS online, while a pair of Barbie Crocs, priced at $59.99 - $10 more than normal Crocs - was sold out on the Crocs website. Luggage brand Beis had a waiting list for all three sizes of suitcases in a Barbie pink, priced at a premium to its usual colour range. Walmart pitched Barbie dolls in varying skin tones and hairstyles at $45 to collectors.

Persons: browses, Arriana, Friday's, Barbie, Jo Ashdown, Ryan Gosling, Ken, Zara Barbie, hoodie, Barbie Crocs, Barbie toothbrushes, James Zahn, that's, Helen Reid, Savyata Mishra, Siddharth Cavale, Nick Zieminski Organizations: REUTERS, Mattel, WPP, Walmart, Hyatt Hotels, Hilton, Thomson Locations: Zara's Soho, New York City, U.S, Bogota, Colombia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

☆ 16 abused children freed in Philippines after man’s arrest in Sydney
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Teele Rebane | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Sixteen children allegedly abused in the Philippines have been rescued after Australian police found sexually explicit material on the phone of a man arrested in Sydney. The investigation began in January when the Australian Border Force intercepted a Queensland man, 56, as he returned to Sydney from the Philippines, the statement said. After searching his phone, the ABF found child abuse material and messages detailing his intent to pay a facilitator who would enable him to sexually abuse children in the Philippines. The man was charged with three offenses including grooming and possession of child abuse material, which carry a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. “We must collaborate with our international partners, such as the AFP, to arrest offenders and rescue child victims,” she said.

Persons: ”, Andrew Perkins, Portia Manalad Organizations: CNN, Philippine National Police, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Philippine Department of Social Welfare, Development, Philippine National Police Women, Children Protection, AFP, Philippine Internet Locations: Philippines, Sydney, Metro Manila, Northern Philippines, Queensland, Manila, Philippine, Australia, United Kingdom, Netherlands

Cost inflation rose during the COVID-19 pandemic and was exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which sent energy prices to record highs last year. Energy costs have since dropped, however, while global prices for some commodities are rising more slowly. Companies like Nestle (NESN.S), Reckitt Benckiser (RKT.L) and Danone (DANO.PA) continued to raise prices sharply in the first quarter even though input costs are easing. First quarter price/mix, a basket of variables the company uses to help determine what prices to charge, rose 12.4% while sales volumes declined 4.5%. Similarly, Nestle increased its prices by 9.8% during the quarter and sales volumes - which the company calls real internal growth - fell only 0.5%.

☆ US woman arrested in Sydney after airport staff find a golden gun in her luggage
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An American woman has been arrested in Sydney after arriving on a flight from Los Angeles with 24-carat gold-plated handgun packed in her luggage. Depending on the outcome, she could be removed from the country, according to the ABF. Australian Border Force officers detected the gun in the woman's luggage. Gun violence has reached record levels in the United States, which is the only nation in the world where civilian firearms outnumber people. The US also has more deaths from gun violence than any other developed country per capita.

☆ Retailers to tackle sustainability at key conference
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

They will discuss the challenges facing their businesses as inflation causes consumers in Europe and elsewhere to reduce spending. The European Commission is drawing up new rules on textile waste that will make companies responsible for managing the waste their products create. Decathlon, the world's biggest sporting goods retailer, sells repair services, spare parts and tools for people to repair their own bicycles, tents, and kayaks. Retailers are working with local authorities ahead of an EU law that will require member states to separately collect textile waste by Jan. 1, 2025. Firms including Decathlon, Mango, Inditex, and IKEA recently created an association in Spain for the management of textile waste.

Sydney, Australia CNN —Eleven Indonesian fishermen were rescued by Australian maritime authorities from a tiny island after being stranded for six days without food or water, but there are fears nine others may have drowned. The second vessel, believed to have been carrying at least 10 others, sunk in the powerful storm, AMSA said. One survivor spent 30 hours in the water before reaching Bedwell Island. Pictures released by AMSA showed a group of stranded fishermen waving to the rescue helicopter above, silhouetted by a barren white beach. CNN affiliate Nine News Australia reported that the survivors were taken to Broome Hospital for treatment.

☆ Upbeat earnings help FTSE 100 rebound from last week's selloff
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Shashwat Chauhan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Bunzl, Associated British Foods up after resultsRolls-Royce top of FTSE 100 after price target raiseFTSE 100 up 0.8%, FTSE 250 adds 0.4%Feb 27 (Reuters) - The UK's FTSE 100 rose on Monday after upbeat earnings reports from Associated British Foods and Bunzl helped pull the index up from last week's battering on worries about high U.S. interest rates. The blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) rose 0.8%, after recording its worst weekly performance so far this year as hotter-than-expected U.S. consumer spending data on Friday sparked a selloff on both sides of the Atlantic. Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF.L) climbed 1.3% after raising its outlook for the full year 2022-23 for the clothing retailer. The FTSE 100 has had a stellar start to the year so far, rising 6.4% as strong earnings and a steady rise in commodity prices helped the index outperform major global peers, outweighing a gloomy economic outlook. The more domestically-inclined FTSE 250 midcap index (.FTMC) rose 0.4%, with a near 16% slump in shares of Dechra Pharmaceuticals(DPH.L) capping gains.

☆ European shares kicks off week on solid footing, all sectors rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The blue-chip index (.STOXX) added 0.9%. It fell 1.4% last week after hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation data fuelled bets that the Federal Reserve would continue to raise rates. European retailers (.SXRP) rose 1.1%, led by a 3.1% increase in shares of Hennes & Mauritz (HMb.ST). Mould highlighted that consumer spending has been buttressed by gas prices coming down and help from government-support schemes across the single-currency bloc. Dechra Pharmaceuticals (DPH.L) tumbled 15.5%, to the bottom of the STOXX 600, as the veterinary drugs maker warned its full-year operating profit would be at the lower end of analysts' expectations.

☆ Britons are shopping for holidays, says Primark
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Britain may be heading for a recession but many of its citizens are heading for the sun and shopping accordingly, the finance chief of clothing retailer Primark's owner said on Monday. Earlier this month, the Bank of England forecast a recession starting in early 2023 and lasting into early 2024. However, that is not deterring Britons from spending on holidays, with several airlines and holiday operators having recently reported robust forward bookings. "People are planning or have planned their holidays for this year," he said. He also highlighted strong sales of formal wear as Britons increased the frequency of their trips to the office and a big increase in sales of beauty products.

☆ Primark owner AB Foods raises outlook on consumer resilience
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Last September, Primark said it had decided to limit further price increases in 2022-23 beyond those already planned, seeking to maintain its value credentials among consumers. "Macro-economic headwinds for the consumer remain and may weigh on spending in the months ahead," it said. "At Primark, we remain cautious about the resilience of consumer discretionary spending in the face of continuing inflation in the cost of living and higher interest rates." Shares in AB Foods were up 2% in early trade, having increased 24% so far this year. ($1 = 0.8366 pounds)Reporting by James Davey; editing by Sarah Young, Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ TFI Stake in Trucker ArcBest Sparks Acquisition Speculation
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Liz Young | Paul Berger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

TFI in 2021 became one of the top carriers in the U.S. less-than-truckload sector when it bought United Parcel Service Inc.’s freight business for $800 million. TFI CEO and President Alain Bédard said on the Feb. 6 earnings call that TFI is looking for opportunities to work with ArcBest. TFI executives said they see ways to save money working together with ArcBest, analysts at Cowen wrote in a Feb. 14 note summarizing a meeting they had with TFI management. The Cowen analysts wrote TFI is well placed to take over ArcBest’s unionized workforce because it already works with the Teamsters union at TForce Freight. ArcBest shares are up about 14% since TFI disclosed its stake.

☆ H&M’s fast-fashion parade is skating on thin ice
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, Jan 27 (Reuters Breakingviews) - H&M’s (HMb.ST) outfit is once again failing to impress. That corresponds to a meagre operating margin of 1.3%, a far cry from the around 15% margin larger rival Inditex (ITX.MC) is expected to report in its fourth quarter. H&M’s operating margins were already lingering in the mid-single-digit area before inflation became a problem. Sales growth of just 5% in December and January suggests the Swedish retailer is struggling to recover to its pre-crisis levels. If a recession curbs even more consumer spending, H&M’s profit margin may disappear.

☆ Primark sales up 15% in Christmas quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Associated British Foods (ABF.L) on Tuesday reported a 15% rise in sales at its Primark clothing business over the 16 weeks to Jan. 7, benefiting from "very strong" trading in the Christmas period. AB Foods said consumer spending had proven to be more resilient in the quarter than anticipated at the start of the financial year. "To date, Primark trading has been good in all our markets and was ahead of expectation," it said. The group said it continued to encounter significant cost pressures but inflation had become less volatile and recently some commodity costs had declined. ($1 = 0.8070 pounds)Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Kate HoltonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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