Retail Navigator AnalysisAsos (Strategy)
Asos says that the sale of a majority stake in the Topshop and Topman brands to Heartland is in the best interests of its shareholders and, as part of the deal, it will relaunch Topshop.com within six months of the joint venture being completed. The joint venture means Heartland will hold a 75% interest in the venture while Asos will hold 25%.
Retail Navigator AnalysisJohn Lewis (Strategy)
John Lewis brings back its ‘Never Knowingly Undersold’ price promise “for the Modern Age”. The department store will match 25 retailers’ prices - including M&S, AO and Amazon – both in store and online, adopting AI technology to carry out the checks, “giving customers the John Lewis assurance on quality, service and price”.
Retail Navigator AnalysisMango (Strategy)
In an online push, Mango names Marlies Hersbach as ecommerce executive director amid plans to expand its online business by moving into 12 new countries. The move will bring its total international presence online to more than 120 global markets.
Retail Navigator AnalysisGymshark (Strategy)
Extending its physical reach beyond the UK, Gymshark is set to open a store in Dubai Mall towards the end of this year. The opening, which will be the brand’s first permanent store outside of its domestic market, follows its launch of localised ecommerce services in the region.
Retail Navigator AnalysisPrimark (Strategy)
Emphasising its commitment to sustainability, Primark is partnering with circular clothing company Verte on introducing a limited run of Swap Shop pop-ups in certain stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham. Customers can swap up to five fashion items at the pop-up for digital tokens on the Verte app to redeem against other pre-loved clothing.
Retail Navigator AnalysisTopshop (People)
Alejandra Mur joined as director of Topshop, Topman and venture brands in 2023.
Retail Navigator AnalysisThe Perfume Shop (SWOT)
The Perfume Shop is able to benefit from parent company AS Watson’s economies of scale for sourcing and receives necessary investment to keep its proposition appealing. For instance, group digital investment has resulted in new technology increasing across the business.
Retail Navigator AnalysisThe Perfume Shop (Financials)
Posting a “robust trading performance” The Perfume Shop sales grew 4.6% year on year to £302.4m for the year to 30 December 2023 (FY2023). In an inflationary environment, The Perfume Shop’s pre-tax profit fell 11.8% year on year to £18.6m with a pre-tax profit margin of 6.2% in FY2023 compared to 7.3% the year before.
Retail Navigator AnalysisSainsbury’s (Strategy)
Sainsbury’s purchase of 10 Homebase leasehold branches ties into its Next Level strategy, which includes expanding its reach to shoppers and providing a bigger range. The grocer said the move means nearly 400,000 more people will be within a 10-minute drive of a Sainsbury’s supermarket.