In today’s InternetRetailing newsletter, we report as Asos warns on profits as discounting grows among its competitors. The latest analysis from Deloitte suggests that’s a trend that’s set to increase still further as Christmas approaches, hitting profits as a result. Retailers are cutting prices in order to clear their stock after an autumn in which warmer weather hit autumn sales, while shoppers, now educated to expect discounts before Christmas and operating in an uncertain economy, are delaying purchases until the prices drop.
Getting final delivery dates right is key for online traders before Christmas – we take a look at what IRUK Top500 Elite retailers are doing this year, and at forecasts that show shoppers moving from online to the high street as Christmas approaches.
We report as Laura Ashley’s new chairman moots a shift in focus from the UK to Asia and China, and from stores to online, and as food and drink subscriptions become increasingly popular. We also report on the AI challenge to retailers.
Today’s guest comment comes from Philip Rooke of Spreadshirt on the role of social media in Christmas shopping.
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