Retail
Japan Retail: footwear trade is not expected to improve until the end of the year
Despite some positive news on the growth of department store sales and the return of foreign tourists, rising consumer prices set alarm bells ringing in September, suggesting that Japanese consumers in general are cutting back on spending and may be at their breaking point. In addition, the reduction in the volume of footwear imports and the impact of the country’s monetary policy on the cost of imported goods is another sign that footwear retail is unlikely to improve by the end of the year. The Government has been taking measures, but the outcome shouldn’t be seen until 2024
US Retail: footwear prospects until the end of the year are at a standstill
Despite signs of a certain resilience from consumers over the summer, companies are taking a cautious approach for the rest of 2023. The long deceleration in footwear inflation came to a halt in August, so if the trend recedes, wage increases will have to follow suit, or the positive outlook for footwear retail could be jeopardised. It’s not surprising how carefully retailers are managing their inventory at the moment: neither too much nor too little
Decathlon launches buyback service in all its UK stores
The sporting goods retailer is expanding its buyback service to all its UK stores. Customers will be given in-store credit for returning products they may have outgrown or no longer use
UK Retail: stabilisation of the footwear trade is the best we can hope for at the moment
The bad weather in July and August may not have helped retail over the summer, but it would be ill-advised to believe that’s what it’s all about. Despite some improvements in the general consumer price index, the footwear segment continues to show some resistance to going along with the trend. Inflation will have to continue to fall in order to contribute to sustained sales growth in the future, as most consumers have too much on their plate to spend on non-discretionary items. The only positive sign comes from imports, whose data seems to indicate that at least a stabilisation in retail trade is on the horizon
Amazon to expand drone deliveries to the UK and Italy
The Seattle-based online retail giant announced the expansion of the Prime Air drone delivery system to customers in Italy and the UK by the end of 2024. A third US city will also be covered
UK retail sales fell more than expected in September
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), UK retail sales saw a bigger-than-expected decline in September, due to unusually warm weather and the pressures of rising living costs
Germany Retail: retailers’ troubles are far from over
Confidence indicators are a red flag for retail at the moment, especially on the retailers’ side. The slow decline in inflation is likely to have a negative impact on consumer prices in the clothing and footwear segment, which will undoubtedly continue to limit consumers’ purchasing power; even the fall in import prices is not entirely positive news, as it will take time to translate into reality. Only the online channel seems to be more optimistic about the times ahead
Nordstrom appoints Chief Human Resources Officer
The Seattle-based department store chain has named Lisa Price as Chief Human Resources Officer. She returns to Nordstrom after serving in the same role at Domino’s Pizza since 2019
Spartoo posts an improvement in EBITDA
In the first half of the year, amidst a challenging macroeconomic environment, the French-based retailer reported a decline in GMV and sales, but an improvement in its profitability
Spain Retail: the future of footwear retail is clouded for the rest of the year
It’s not all bad news. The downward trend recorded by the TCF deflated retail sales index from April onwards remains above last year’s figures, and consumer confidence is about to reach a positive threshold. However, consumer footwear prices show yet no signs of slowing down, and, above all, imports in the category seem to be declining. These two factors could in fact be a warning of a further deterioration in footwear demand in Spain by the end of the year
Atmos exits North America
The Tokyo-based sneaker retailer, owned by Foot Locker, is closing its three North American stores and the US website to focus on Japan and other Asian markets
Kurt Geiger joins London's Oxford Street
The UK-based footwear and accessories retailer has opened a flagship concept store on Oxford Street, one of the most iconic shopping streets in London
C & J Clark International recorded a decline in sales and profits in 2022
The operating subsidiary of the British footwear retailer Clarks saw its turnover and profits fall last calendar year due to supply chain issues following the COVID-19 pandemic
Leder & Schuh on growing mode
The Austrian-based footwear retailer posted a 25% increase in revenue in 2022, as compared to the previous year, and added that sales have continued to grow so far this year
Nordstrom expands its Board of Directors
The Seattle-based department store chain has appointed Guy B. Persaud to its Board of Directors, thus expanding this organizational structure to 12 members-
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