FHP’s LATEST NOTTINGHAM RETAIL STUDY – DECEMBER 2009

Market Overview News

It has been a tumultuous twelve months since our last Retail Study and whilst positive retail sales have been reported, the outlook for 2010 remains cautious. 

However, it is not all doom and gloom.  Since the CVA, JJB subsequently obtained an investment injection of £100 million and are currently on the acquisition trail once again.  Additionally, the majority of Birthdays stores were immediately bought out of administration by the former parent company (Clinton Cards) who in turn made a reported £13.5 million profit from the deal.  Furthermore, twelve months on from the collapse of Woolworths, 75% of their former stores have now been acquired by other retailers.

Several retailers have also posted positive results this month.  M&S and Next have surpassed sales expectations for Q3.  JD Sports have reported a pre-tax profit increase of 14.5% and John Lewis have just broken their weekly sales record.