Surprise leap in consumer spending in March
The ONS retail report, released today, confirms that retail sales have seen their largest year on year growth since October 2016. Sales (quantity bought) have increased by 6.7%, surprising many who expected to see a more cautious start to the year. All categories of spend, apart from department stores and household goods, have seen an […]
Can brands survive without an online presence?
The reality, however, is that retail is experiencing a difficult time regardless of the primary retail channel. ASOS, the online-only fashion retailer, issued a profit warning in December as a result of weaker than expected trading. At the same time, Aldi, who have a predominantly store-only approach, saw record in-store sales during the Christmas period […]
DTC – the grim reaper for retail stores?
What is DTC? In simple terms, DTC allows manufacturers and resellers to reach out directly to their prospective customer base through their website and some sort of e-commerce platform. This model cuts out the need for a retail presence and with it, a myriad of associated costs. In addition, for probably the first time, it […]
Managing Changes to Store Portfolios
2018 will be remembered for many things here at Sigma, but the most alarming by far was the near-collapse of the high street. Maplin, Mothercare, Toys R Us and Poundworld to name but a few of the well-known names that have contributed to more than 1,000 retail store closures in the UK during 2018. These […]
The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200
Leading end-to-end service provider Sigmagrp Ltd. (Sigma) has featured in the prestigious Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table for the first time. With over 20 years’ experience operating in the fast-paced and dynamic retail space, Sigma provide a true end-to-end service; from store construction and consolidation, to fixture procurement and mechanical & electrical […]
A Recap of 2018 for the UK Retail Sector
Customers demanded more from their shopping experience Physical stores in the UK continued to undergo a structural change as consumers demanded a less predictable shopping experience. Bricks and mortar shops were, and are likely to remain, the most significant channel for many brands but the role they must play, and the experiences they offer, will […]
International Procurement & Logistics
Project Client – IPL Duration – 6 weeks Duration – 6 weeks Project Complete – 2017 International Procurement & Logistics International Procurement & Logistics are the second largest privately owned food processing business in the UK with thousands of colleagues across multiple sites in the UK and office across the world. Part of the Asda […]