Including Asda posting its first quarter of sales growth for three years.
The Source rounds up some of the key retail stories of the week.
Asda has posted its first quarter of sales growth for three years – with like for like sales growing 1.8% in the 13 weeks to July 28. The Easter trading period was one of its most successful ever – with sales up 16% – although even without the impact of the holiday, like for likes were still up 0.7%.
Sainsbury’s has put a hold on takeover talks with Nisa. The move comes after the Competition and Markets Authority expressed concerns about Tesco’s takeover of Booker, with Sainsbury’s wanting to better understand how the CMA would review any deal, reported Retail Week.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s has launched a free 30 minute click and collect grocery service. Shoppers can pre-order and pay for items using the Chop Chop app, collecting them from store 30 minutes later free of charge. The Pimlico branch in London became the first UK supermarket to offer the sub one hour collection option.
Fashion retailer Zara has unveiled its first standalone babywear store. Located in London’s Covent Garden, Zara Baby stocks clothing for newborns to babies up to 12 months, as well as a range for children aged between three months and four years.
Wilko has revealed plans to put 3,900 staff in redundancy consultation, cutting supervision role across its 398 UK store estate.
Chinese ecommerce specialist Alibaba has reported a 68% jump in adjusted EBITDA to $3.46 billion year on year in its second quarter ending June 30. This was driven by a 56% leap in revenue during the period to $7.4 billion. Net income also doubled – up 96% to $2.07 billion. The core commerce division – including the Tmall online marketplace – saw a 58% rise in sales to $6.34 billion, driving the majority of the growth.
Amazon is expanding its UK fulfilment network, opening a new site in Bristol, leading to the creation of 1,000 new full time jobs.
John Lewis reported an increase in total revenues of 5.9% year on year to £75.6 million in the week to August 12. Fashion sales grew 7.5%, with womenswear leaping by 21.5% and menswear up 8.1%. Electrical and home technology increased 9.2%, while the home department was up 1%.
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