Retail Week looks ahead to the next seven days, with updates from Primark, New Look, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Halfords on the agenda.

Primark

Primark is set to report its interim results on Tuesday, November 7. Associated British Foods’ retail business reported a jump in its full-year sales and margins at its last update.

Investors will be keen to see whether Primark will be able to continue to up sales and balance the books so cannily.

New Look

The value fashion retailer reports its second-quarter results on Tuesday, November 7.

To say New Look is going through a turbulent period is an understatement – staff redundancies and management exits are left, right and centre while profits and like-for-likes continue to slide.

The results are unlikely to show any improvement but it will be interesting to see if New Look gives any formal update on its current management – the return of former chairman Alistair McGeorge has not yet been confirmed by the retailer – or future strategy.

M&S

The retailer will report its interim results on Wednesday, November 8. M&S’ first-quarter update saw clothing and home total sales inch down while total food sales continued to climb. However, M&S’ policy to reduce its promotions bore fruit as full-price clothing and home sales jumped 7%.

The market will be looking for an announcement on M&S’ much-publicised food delivery trial, which it launched on a very small scale during the summer.

Sainsbury’s

The big four grocer is set to reveal its interim results on Wednesday, November 8. Its first-quarter update saw like-for-likes rise while Argos performed well.

As Tesco’s Booker merger progresses and the Co-op draws closer to acquiring Nisa, all eyes will be on Sainsbury’s performance as it approaches the crucial festive quarter.

Halfords

The cycling and motoring specialist will report its interim results on Thursday, November 9.

Former boss Jill McDonald has just departed for M&S. Her shoes are currently being filled by chief financial officer Jonny Mason, who will act as interim chief executive until ex-Dixons Carphones’ Honeybee boss Graham Stapleton takes the reins early next year.

Mason will be hoping to be able to reveal that declining satnav sales have been offset by its rapidly growing services division.

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