David Wainwright

Whilst it feels chilly over the last few days in the UK it is reported that retailers can expect more favorable weather this December compared to last year. This will undoubtedly boost demand for seasonal products as everyone starts to enjoy the approach to their christmas festivities! Last year's December was abnormally warm outside of Scotland, with England and Wales equalling the 5th warmest on record. Unsettled conditions and heavy rainfall (8th wettest on record for the UK) further hindered footfall and sales (this continues in some parts of the UK this year too). This December whilst forecast to be warmer, @Planalytics expects a more favourable climate for retailers, with temperatures still helping to lift year-over-year performance for winter wardrobe products such as knitwear, outerwear, and boots as well as comfort items including hot cereal, soup, hot chocolate, blankets, heaters, and more.

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12 week kantar update. Similar theme as previous quarters…Tesco and Sainsbury’s lead the pack with a market share increases of 0.6% and 0.5% respectively. Interesting numbers for the shareholders as we head to the mid way point of many businesses financial year. No doubt both Tesco and Sainsbury’s are capitalising on the worrying decline at Asda. Another record low market share and on the back of scathing comments by Lord Rose. They are in desperate need of a captain to lead the rudderless ship. Is a CEO on the way? Discounters continue to accelerate with Lidl in pole position on terms of growth. Aldi slowing down but still in double digits and with the news they are launching instore bakeries that could drive some much needed footfall and volume.

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B&M well positioned for Golden Quarter as profits climb "B&M has said it is well positioned for the Golden Quarter as its profits increased in the six months to 28 September. Sales at the variety retailer climbed 3.7% to £2.6m, driven by volume growth, as UK revenues also hit £2.1m for the period. Meanwhile, group EBITDA edged up 2% to £274m. But group adjusted operating profit fell 1.8% to £258m as B&M faced higher costs following an increase in stores and investment in its supply chain in France. In order to futureproof volume growth, the business said a new UK imports centre would be open FY26, which it said would optimise “existing distribution centre network capacity levels”." by Eloise Hill at Retail Gazette B&M Retail Alex Russo #retailnews #goldenquarter #bandm https://lnkd.in/eSTZCNtX

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New Bira podcast gives a voice to independent retailers following the general election. Bira - British Independent Retailers Association #generalelection #retail #highstreetmatters #podcast

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This is our framework for the pending #asda turnaround. #ABCV We will be exploring each component via our #thebasketcase newsletter in the coming weeks. Each one is important but it's underpinned by value - which is the centre of the universe for every retailer; but more so for Asda. #asda #turnaround #retail

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With the continued growth in the UK of the lunchtime #mealdeal this looks a smart move by the teams at Tesco and Sainsbury's as they look to created extra value for consumers in the #foodtogo sector. An interesting growth strategy for the #icecream category and one to watch to see how quickly others follow #ukretail #convenience #customerexperience #lunchtime #summermenu Prof. Consulting Group

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Argos sales below expectations as Sainsbury's group posts HY growth Simon Roberts, Chief Executive of J Sainsbury plc, said: “Our food business is going from strength to strength and we’re making the biggest market share gains in the industry, with continued strong volume growth. More and more customers are coming to us for their big food shop, recognising our winning combination of value, quality and service. “Our grocery volume growth has delivered strong profit leverage at Sainsbury’s, partially offset by a tough first quarter at Argos. Argos trading has improved through the second quarter and in more recent weeks, so we continue to expect to deliver strong retail underlying operating profit growth and free cash flow generation for the full year." https://lnkd.in/eRk5z2DX #argos #sainsburys #retail #halfyear #trading #update

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The UK’s New Budget: Tough on Smokers & Vapers, Favorable for Nicotine Pouch Users The UK’s recent budget reveals some clear winners and losers in the tobacco and nicotine landscape. What’s Changed? 1. Higher Taxes for Smokers 🚬 Cigarette prices are set to rise as new excise duties increase costs for traditional smokers. This move aligns with public health goals but significantly impacts those who still choose to smoke, making cigarettes even less affordable. 2. Tougher Measures for Vapers 💨 Vaping products are also facing new restrictions and potential cost hikes, signaling a shift in the government’s view on e-cigarettes. Vapers who turned to this option for a ‘safer’ alternative now face higher prices and additional regulations, creating barriers to access. 3. Nicotine Pouches Get a Boost 💊 In contrast, the budget has left nicotine pouches relatively untouched. These products are now becoming the most cost-effective nicotine option, as they’re unaffected by the recent tax hikes. This could mark a turning point for those looking to quit smoking or vaping but still want access to nicotine. What’s the Impact? For the first time, nicotine pouches might become a preferred choice for consumers looking for a legal, less-expensive way to consume nicotine. While the budget supports public health efforts by making smoking and vaping more costly, it inadvertently shifts the spotlight onto nicotine pouches as an affordable alternative. What are your thoughts? #UKBudget #NicotinePolicy #TobaccoControl #PublicHealth #Smoking #Vaping #NicotinePouches #TaxPolicy

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7 retailers that have gone bust so far this year Ted Baker became the latest high street casualty last month when the brand’s UK operator No Ordinary Designer Label called in administrators. It is one of several collapses reported so far this year following a record number of retail insolvencies in the year to January 31. Retail Gazette takes a look at the retailers that have gone bust so far in 2024. #Uk #retailer #insolvency #result #strategy

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Great day today with our suppliers, Commercial and Marketing teams at the Annual Morrisons IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) Trade Briefing in Harrrogate. If you were there and the importance of Local Assortment or WIGIG’s (when it’s gone it’s gone) was of interest, please get in touch with me to discuss further. #MorrisonsTradeBriefing #IGD #Morrisons #LocalSourcing #WIGIG

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Comments of a Cat Man now Consultant Grocery is Evolving Do you need to make changes? Are you evolving? What are your thoughts? Sam Price Janine Chamley Scott Bovaird Kelly Smith Stuart Silkstone Sarah Davies #supermarketsnz #learninganddevelopment #keyaccountmanagement #training #fmcg

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Having spent many hours walking the aisle of the UK retailers supporting our clients on their growth strategies, one of the highlights from this updated really caught my eye 12.5% growth in Finest, well above the 5% for food. Just last night delving deeper into the growth of finest, the support inshore within the main fixtures, off location and promotional activity are all clearly supporting the growth of the Tesco premium brand. Valuable insights which signposts growth opportunities into retail export markets for contract manufacturing opportunities helping retailers expand their premium categories which looks to be increasingly focused on great tasting affordable food to differentiate. Some great examples being #condiments, #seafood, #frozenmeals, #bakedgoods #slowcookedmeats #foodandrink #milk #premiumfoods #retail #groceryretail #ukretail #australianretail #contractmanufacturing #responsiblysourced #privatelabel #ownbrand MONIKA KEMP (Née Gajek) Food and Drink Exporters Association (FDEA) Prof. Consulting Group #export

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Despite aggressive discounting and enhanced loyalty offers from mainstream supermarkets, UK shoppers continue to switch to the discounters, in search of deals. The percentage of shoppers switching to Aldi and Lidl was up by four percentage points compared to last year. 51% said that they had switched 'some' of their food spend to the discounters, while 13% have switched 'all' of their shopping to Aldi and Lidl. Younger demographics are the most likely to switch to the discounters, with approximately 80% of Millennials and Gen Z making the switch. #discounters #supermarkets #cpg

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In this recent article for MCA Insight - Leaders in Eating & Drinking Out Market Insight, I headed out into the marketplace, looking for breakfast value, armed with a £5 budget. What did I find?

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Today, we announced Asda’s trading update for the first quarter of this year, with total revenues increased by 6.6% to £5.3bn (excl. fuel) and like-for-like sales up 1.4%. We’re pleased to see continued growth across our food and non-food businesses during the quarter, which clearly demonstrates our underlying strength as a business. In the first quarter, our focus has remained on delivering uncompromising value for customers. We became the first supermarket to price match both Aldi and Lidl, have continued to cut prices on hundreds of products, and have seen our Asda Rewards loyalty scheme continue to resonate with shoppers. George at Asda has also led the way in outperforming the fashion and homewares markets, as customers continue to respond positively to the investments made in the brand. We are proud to have become the highest paying traditional supermarket with a record £150m investment in retail pay this quarter, as we continue to invest in our hard-working colleagues. Net leverage as a multiple of proforma EBITDA after rent reduced from 4.1x at Q1 2023 to 3.0x at the end of Q1 2024 – and earlier this month, we successfully refinanced more than £3.0bn of debt, extending our debt obligations into the next decade. This further strengthens our capital structure, enabling us to continue investing in our business and deliver our ambitious long-term growth plans. You can find the full results here:

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