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Retail sales decline but remain above pre-covid levels


By Alexandra Leonards

UK retail sales volumes declined by 3.7 per cent last month but were 2.6 per cent higher than their pre-pandemic February 2020 levels, according to the latest ONS figures.


Walmart appoints e-commerce head

Walmart has appointed Tom Ward as head of its e-commerce division, according to sources reported by The Wall Street Journal. Ward has worked for Walmart since 2013 in a variety of different management roles and has also previously worked for Asda.

Cashback in shops ‘won’t solve cash crisis’

A new law that allows consumers to request cashback in shops without making a purchase will not be enough to protect access to cash, according to new research from Which?.

Aldi named cheapest supermarket of 2021

Aldi has narrowly beaten rival Lidl to be named by Which? as the UK’s cheapest supermarket of the year. But the consumer organisation said that overall, grocery costs are going up, even at discount stores.

Primark sales remain below pre-covid levels

While Primark sales increased by 36 per cent in the 16 weeks to 8 January, they remained below figures recorded before the coronavirus pandemic.
Young shoppers keen to see digital tech in corner shops

Half of millennials and Generation Z consumers care more about digital technology improvements in High Street and corner shops than prices, according to new research from Vodafone and Allwyn.The survey of 1,000 adults carried out by research agency Context Consulting on behalf of Vodafone and Alwyn found that 50 per cent of under 34-year olds would like to see digital improvements at their local corner shop, but only a third said they’d prefer to see lower prices (31 per cent).

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Amazon launches first physical clothing store

Amazon plans to launch its first physical clothing store, branded as Amazon Style. The retail giant said the new outlet in Glendale, Southern California will provide shoppers with personalised recommendations.

Aldi ends partnership with Deliveroo

Aldi has ended its trial with Deliveroo to focus on its Click and Collect service. The partnership, which began in May 2020, was designed to give consumers greater flexibility and access to groceries during the UK’s national lockdowns.

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