Including The Works to open 60 new stores next year.
The Source rounds up some of the key retail stories of the week.
Value retailer The Works is to open 60 new stores next year, investing £5.3 million and creating 600 jobs, reports Retail Week. The chain – which sells arts, crafts, toys, stationery and books – is planning to have 650 stores by 2022.
Video games retailer Game has seen its full year group sales edge up 0.1% in the year to July 29. However, full year UK sales dropped 6.8%, despite a second half rise of 8.8%. The retailer did make progress with its esports store format – currently in 18 outlets – posting a 50% jump in sales to £7.1 million during the period. Game said that it is now accelerating development plans as its seeks to ‘fully capitalise on the strong growth potential in our exciting and growing esports activities’.
Game also announced this week that it is to launch a concession partnership with Maplin, initially piloting the move in four stores.
John Lewis enjoyed a lift in sales of 5.7% to £77 million in the week to August 19. Fashion sales grew 7.3% – with womenswear up 14.3% and menswear increasing 5%. There was also 13% year on year increase of sales of communications technology products such as computers and iPads as the back to school period looms large.
Data from Kantar Worldpanel has suggested the big four supermarkets grew sales for the fifth consecutive period. Tesco increased sales the most – up 3% for the 12 weeks to August 13. Morrisons increased 2.6%, Sainsbury’s was up 2% and Asda grew 1.4%. Meanwhile, Lidl’s market share hit a new high of 5.2%, with it now standing alone as Britain’s seventh largest grocer.
Whole Foods shareholders have approved the $13.7 billion acquisition by Amazon. The deal is now subject to regulatory approval.
Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow @LicensingSource on Twitter.
