Including Tesco launching its new ‘Little Helps to Healthier Living’ campaign.
The Source rounds up some of the key retail stories of the week.
Tesco has launched its ‘Little Helps to Healthier Living’ campaign this week. Running throughout May, the campaign will provide helpful ‘little swaps’ – many of which have lower sugar, fat or salt than regular alternatives – lower prices on hundreds of fresh products in-store and online; the introduction of fresh fruit at the checkout; in-store health checks in partnership with Diabetes UK and British Heart Foundation; TV advertising; and increased communication of Free Fruit for Kids in Tesco’s larger stores.
Morrison’s has notched up its sixth consecutive quarter of growth, posting a 3.4% increase in like for like sales (excluding fuel) for the 13 weeks to April 30. The core retail business contributed 3% to the growth in the quarter, while the wholesale operations – including the deal with Amazon – accounted for the remaining 0.4%.
M&S has launched its new brand proposition – Spend It Well. The campaign unites the food, clothing and home divisions of the retailer and will feature on TV, digital channels, in-store and across M&S Bank and rewards club Sparks. It has been designed as a call to action to focus on the ‘experiences, people and things that really matter’.
John Lewis saw its total sales drop 1.8% to £83.1 million in the week to April 29. Home sales were down 7.2%, although outdoor living sales were up 10.9%. Fashion sales grew slightly by 0.5%, while wellbeing, leisure and beauty grew 4.1%. Electrical and home technology sales grew 1.1%, with mobile phone and photography up 32%.
Next has narrowed its full year profit forecast to between £680m and £740m after it saw full price sales in its first quarter drop 3%. Total sales (including markdown sales) dropped 2.5% for the 13 weeks to April 29, however Next’s Directory sales continued to outperform the store-based business, growing 3.3%.
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