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Mintel forecasts a steady Christmas Heal’s opens Chiswick outlet store
Despite a particularly tough year, Mintel forecasts some Christmas cheer for Britain’s retailers.
Latest data from the market research firm
predicts that December’s retail sales will reach £48.7 billion, growing 3.8% compared with last December when sales hit £46.9 billion. Sales through non-food retailers this December are expected to reach £23.9 billion (including £4.2 billion from online sales generated by physical stores); while food retailers will enjoy sales of £18.8 billion (including £1.4 billion from online sales generated by physical stores). And in the battle between the clicks and bricks, Mintel estimates that internet pure players (online only retailers) will account for £6 billion worth of sales. Mintel forecasts total online sales this December will be worth £11.6 billion, accounting for 23.7% of all retail sales. Nick Carroll, associate director of retail
research at Mintel, said: “We’re forecasting that December will result in steady growth for the retail sector. In normal circumstances, with the current low unemployment and solid wage growth, this would point to an even better Christmas than in past years. However this has, of course, been far from an ideal run-up, with Brexit uncertainty dragging on and an election now a late additional hurdle for the sector to pass and process before the big day. “Despite this, the past few festive periods
have shown that customers can be resilient in the face of uncertain times and we believe
BHETA hosts successful Meet the Buyer day
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) held a Meet The Buyer day with Wilko on November 13, and welcomed 55 suppliers for over 100 appointments with the home and hardware chain’s buying team. Categories represented included home living, kitchen and dining, decorating and DIY, storage, garden and outdoor, cleaning and household, seasonal and craft. The event, which took place
at West Retford Hall in Nottinghamshire, focused on potential suppliers who could offer a wide variety of products as well as drop ship capabilities in the garden sector. Participating suppliers were allocated a 20-minute
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appointment time to present credentials and cover the features and benefits of the products they were offering, including cost price proposals. Commenting on the day,
BHETA’s chief operating officer Will Jones, said: “The event was a great success, with the Wilko team kept busy all day. We also had very good feedback from both BHETA members and non-members who reported some very positive meetings.” Wilko buyer Neil
Fairhurst said: “This was a very productive format from our point of view, enabling us to engage with a large quantity of potential suppliers in a short space of time.” Wilko operates more
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than 400 stores in the UK, which are mostly High Street based, and positions itself as ‘providing simple solutions to help families get their day to day lives sorted as quickly, easily and affordably as possible’. More details of BHETA’s
events programme, including other retailer networking opportunities, can be found at
www.bheta.co.uk
underlying demand will hold up reasonably well. Customers will, of course, be looking for value, and with fewer days between Black Friday and Christmas this year retailers’ margins may be particularly stretched. “Although high street retailers may be under
pressure, 53% of shoppers think visiting stores is a good way to get into the festive experience. Therefore the run-up to Christmas is a great opportunity to get shoppers into stores and enthused about the physical shopping experience. Those that can provide valued experiences whilst tapping into other underlying trends, such as local sourcing and ethical production, combined with attracting value- conscious shoppers, put themselves in a good position this festive season.” Consumer research for Mintel's Christmas Gift Buying UK 2019 Report was carried out among 2,000 internet users aged 16-plus in December 2018.
Homeware retailer Heal’s has announced the expansion of its London portfolio with a brand new outlet store, which opened at 124- 126 Chiswick High Road on December 3. The new 2,080sq ft shop stocks selection of cancelled, returned and overstocked pieces at significantly reduced prices (with up to 70% off) across Heal’s furniture, lighting and accessories, as well as branded products. Heal’s ceo Hamish Mansbridge said: “The success across each of our bricks-and- mortar stores over the last 12 months is a testament to our understanding of customer demand for designs that will last a lifetime. We’re delighted to be able to bring Heal’s to Chiswick, offering an exciting outlet for shoppers to discover their favourite designs.” Heal’s also operates stores at Tottenham
Court Road (London), Westfield White City (London), Kingston-upon-Thames (Surrey), Redbrick Mill (West Yorkshire), Brighton (East Sussex) and Mailbox (West Midlands).
JWP wins German Design Award
JWP’s
LocknLock ECO range has won the Excellent Product Design - Kitchen category of the annual German Design Awards 2020. Organised by
German Design Council, the Awards are one of the world's most renowned design competitions. Recognition is given to projects that are groundbreaking in the German and international design landscape. JWP said: ‘LocknLock ECO is made of
leftover polypropylene to recycle quality plastic and reduce waste. The materials are 100% food-safe and have the same quality as other LocknLock products. Each container is different in colour and unique.’ The jury commented: ‘The use of plastic
residues gives the colours a unique effect, making the containers unmistakable. A great idea that also takes sustainability into account.’
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twitter.com/Housewaresnews December 2019
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