Five Things Friday UK Edition with Simone Oloman
UK retail news this week: Aldi boosts wages, Topshop returns to Liberty, Asda expands Express, JD Sports shares rise, and The Very launches an immersive fashion experience.
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00:00 Intro & Welcome
01:07 Aldi Pay Rise & Food Inflation Context
02:46 Topshop Returns via Liberty Pop-Up
04:04 Asda Express Expansion & Convenience Growth
05:29 JD Sports Shares vs. Soft UK Sales
06:32 The Very Group’s Immersive Fashion Experience
08:38 Wrap-Up & Teaser for Next Week
Â
#RetailNews #RetailTrends #UKRetail #FiveThingsFriday
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
It's Friday and literally it is Friday.
Welcome to five Things Friday UKedition and I'm joined by the
lovely Simone. She's back from holiday.
Hello. So listen, Simone, I know you've
(00:20):
got a hard stop in 1520 minutes and I've got to get this edited
and out. So if you're listening to this
on Friday, know that we're literally flying.
Actually, for those who've neverjoined, I think everyone has
like where have you been if you've not been listening to
this show? But if you haven't listened to
the show, I'm Alex. I help retailers maintain their
(00:42):
relevance in the wonderful worldof retail.
And my lovely Co host Simone. I am the Co founder and CEO of
business called Need it for Tonight, also known as NIFT.
I always say the easiest way to describe us is kind of like
delivery, but for quality fashion.
Yeah, she's keynote speaker, found the mentor, a whole load
(01:02):
of other things, but she's too modest.
But anyway, so let's get straight into this.
Actually some really good news. ALDI bigger than expected pay
rises for their staff, which is a welcome break from some of the
news that we have in retail because it's all about cuts and
and that's it's still there and even more in value.
(01:24):
So you know, the tug of war between pay packets and price
points. Are these dropped to bigger than
expected pay rise for store warehouse teams?
Which is another shot across thebow for anyone trying the old
wage line before peak. As we go into Christmas and and
peak trading, while colleagues are really happy shoppers
(01:44):
counting their or watching theirwallets because Tesco's mill
deal has climbed another £0.25 to £3.85 with, with Clubcard I
have to add and £4.25 without. So that's quite quite, you know,
a big jump and it's a tiny lunchsort of signalling towards
shrink flation and the pricing mix are still very much in play.
(02:07):
And then you layer on that the BRC NIQ showing the food
inflation is ticking up to 18 month high.
And as we head into the Christmas season, I don't know
if it's this is a a blip before we get there or this is what
we're going to be going into theChristmas season as, but it is
quite worrying to what what's happening with food inflation.
You put all of that and Aldi's still doing the right thing.
(02:30):
So well done ALDI. You've got to look after your
people to protect and retain them and I think that's a lovely
news story to start with. That is a positive story to
start with. Yes.
And I think keeping the positivity, how about we move on
to you? Yes, So Topshop.
I wonder how many times I've said the word Topshop on this
(02:51):
part. You're just.
A man, it's OK. But Topshop is officially back
in a physical space. They've launched in Liberty this
week, the iconic Liberty. And this is the first time in
four years that they they've hada High Street presence in the
UK. Very beautiful.
But this move for me signals, you know, something big for
(03:12):
bricks and mortars. You know, I think we chatted
about this before, Alex, that pop ups are the new flagships.
You know, you don't need hundreds of stores.
You just need more memorable moments.
And I really do think that top Shop a back a back with
intention. But yeah, I think, you know, the
bottom line is if you're thinking about launching a shop,
(03:32):
you know, consider first launching a, a moment in a, in a
pop up. You know, it doesn't have to be
permanent, it doesn't have to bedated.
It just needs to be something absolutely now and relevant and
and fun. And I think that's what Top Shop
have done. So kudos.
Would you just have interest? I presume you like the style
that they're doing. I do yeah.
(03:53):
I haven't shopped in Top Shop for, I'm going to say quite a
few years years, but I I do likethe style that they're bringing
back. It's it's cool.
It's. That's cool.
Well, moving on, I actually wrote about as the LinkedIn
earlier this week. It's like one of those disc one.
It wasn't a disc one. It was like, look, I I like the
brand, I like what they do. I appreciate the value that they
(04:14):
offer. But the opening hours, if you're
next to a 24 hour gym, just try and get in line with, you know,
the customers that are coming out.
Whereas Tesco's that was 500 metres up the road was open.
And yeah, I just thought it was a really good.
But anyway, it's not I'm not going to hop on about that
tracking where growth is coming from, convenience and smart
(04:35):
expansion is still happening as there is back on the throttle
restarting the express roll out with 20 stores in October, no
mean free. Little is trying to keep up with
them and I think has got investor backing to build around
another 35 stores. So I think again, sign of our
times, we're seeing what's happening, people in cities,
(04:55):
we're now getting more expressesfrom all of the major players
that the interesting 1 little they're actually going to own
the freeholds, which I know is an absolute nightmare and
raising the capital is, is difficult.
But again, keeping that positivenews, my favourite, your
favourite rituals is also planning another 15 stores in
(05:17):
the UK and fingers crossed, I will be interviewing ahead of
stores at rituals over the next month or so.
So I'm really looking forward tothat.
Sorry, across the UK and Ireland.
So I have to to be clear on that.
And the thing I think we spoke about JD and, and I was sort of
saying, you know, I just athleisure and interestingly
(05:38):
enough, their sales have reflected what we've, what we
talked about, but their share price hasn't.
Because as we could argue in Europe, we've become a little,
we've moved on from athleisure, if you like, from a perspective
in Asia, in the US, they're still doing really well and
(05:58):
they're still growing. So if you like a story of two
halves in the UK soft sales and I my gut feel I'll continue to
happen. I I just, it's just really
difficult to keep, you know, themomentum when so much else is
happening. Yeah, you really need a new
cohort of consumer to to go intothat sort of into that look and
(06:21):
I think people are growing up. So we'll see what I'm, but as I
said, the stock market loves thefact that they're still doing
well in Asia and in the US And closing we go to you.
So yes, so today I wanted to talk about a word that I love,
but a word that I usually associate with like theatre.
But obviously it's today, it's in the context of retail and
(06:42):
that is immersive. But yes, this week the very
group announced their first everimmersive fashion experience.
It's called the Very big Wardrobe, as you can see.
Great name or it's more of a 2 day fashion pop up or let's call
it an experience. It's immersive.
It's happening on the 5th and the 6th of September on New Bond
(07:03):
Street. And I got quite excited when I
read this because this is the first time that we've seen very
who I have to say, I haven't heard of a very long time.
Maybe it's because I've never shopped, but it's the first time
that we've heard about, you know, the people behind very Co
UK them to shop physically. You know, this is a retailer
that has built everything online, which is very
(07:24):
interesting. I was reading what to expect and
it was saying live shows, big theatrical word again, product
moments, immersive storytelling,styling zones and lots of these
kind of interactive installations.
And, you know, very, for me, I'mnot a very customer, but I have
always associated them with likethis catalogue culture.
(07:47):
Yeah. And I love that they're adapting
and I guess in a way rebranding for this night TikTok
generation. I'm really into it because I
think, you know, as we've it just reinforces that people, you
know, people just want to be entertained.
Yeah. And I think they, you know,
particularly with with the younger generation, they they
don't want to leave with just a carry bag.
(08:07):
They want to leave with content.They want to be snapping it,
taking pictures, sharing it. So yeah, I will definitely be
keeping an eye on the very big wardrobe.
Never shopped there in my life, but I will probably go down.
So I might be a new customer. So it proves it works.
So tapping into new customers. I think it's an interesting one.
While you were away, super Drug ran there.
(08:29):
I think it was a three day eventat the brewery I think somewhere
in London. And it was soup is like
everything you just described there is what Superdrug was
doing. So I think the you have to, and
this is interesting you had, it was a super drug experience.
You have to buy a ticket for 25 lbs, but you would get something
like £250 worth of products. Well, that was what they said
(08:52):
and it was sold out. I was going to go, it was sold
out and it was like learn how todo your makeup, learn how to do
your hair, learn how to. It was like this whole immersive
experience event, but paid. So yes, it was a pop up, but it
was a pop up paid experience. Trusting.
Yeah, I just when you were talking there, yeah, but
(09:12):
unfortunately I might go and maybe look a little bit out of
place makeup or maybe I wouldn't, who knows.
But anyway, Simone, thank you somuch.
As I said, we're rattling through this because we.
It's right through it, yeah. Fantastic.
And hopefully you're, you're back now, right?
We've got you for the. Oh, I'm back.
No more holidays, no more. Holidays.
Wonderful. And you had a wonderful time on
(09:34):
holiday. I really did didn't want to we.
Can we can finish on that bombshell?
Thanks so much, Alex.
It's Friday and literally it is Friday.
Welcome to five Things Friday UKedition and I'm joined by the
lovely Simone. She's back from holiday.
Hello. So listen, Simone, I know you've
(00:20):
got a hard stop in 1520 minutes and I've got to get this edited
and out. So if you're listening to this
on Friday, know that we're literally flying.
Actually, for those who've neverjoined, I think everyone has
like where have you been if you've not been listening to
this show? But if you haven't listened to
the show, I'm Alex. I help retailers maintain their
(00:42):
relevance in the wonderful worldof retail.
And my lovely Co host Simone. I am the Co founder and CEO of
business called Need it for Tonight, also known as NIFT.
I always say the easiest way to describe us is kind of like
delivery, but for quality fashion.
Yeah, she's keynote speaker, found the mentor, a whole load
(01:02):
of other things, but she's too modest.
But anyway, so let's get straight into this.
Actually some really good news. ALDI bigger than expected pay
rises for their staff, which is a welcome break from some of the
news that we have in retail because it's all about cuts and
and that's it's still there and even more in value.
(01:24):
So you know, the tug of war between pay packets and price
points. Are these dropped to bigger than
expected pay rise for store warehouse teams?
Which is another shot across thebow for anyone trying the old
wage line before peak. As we go into Christmas and and
peak trading, while colleagues are really happy shoppers
(01:44):
counting their or watching theirwallets because Tesco's mill
deal has climbed another £0.25 to £3.85 with, with Clubcard I
have to add and £4.25 without. So that's quite quite, you know,
a big jump and it's a tiny lunchsort of signalling towards
shrink flation and the pricing mix are still very much in play.
(02:07):
And then you layer on that the BRC NIQ showing the food
inflation is ticking up to 18 month high.
And as we head into the Christmas season, I don't know
if it's this is a a blip before we get there or this is what
we're going to be going into theChristmas season as, but it is
quite worrying to what what's happening with food inflation.
You put all of that and Aldi's still doing the right thing.
(02:30):
So well done ALDI. You've got to look after your
people to protect and retain them and I think that's a lovely
news story to start with. That is a positive story to
start with. Yes.
And I think keeping the positivity, how about we move on
to you? Yes, So Topshop.
I wonder how many times I've said the word Topshop on this
(02:51):
part. You're just.
A man, it's OK. But Topshop is officially back
in a physical space. They've launched in Liberty this
week, the iconic Liberty. And this is the first time in
four years that they they've hada High Street presence in the
UK. Very beautiful.
But this move for me signals, you know, something big for
(03:12):
bricks and mortars. You know, I think we chatted
about this before, Alex, that pop ups are the new flagships.
You know, you don't need hundreds of stores.
You just need more memorable moments.
And I really do think that top Shop a back a back with
intention. But yeah, I think, you know, the
bottom line is if you're thinking about launching a shop,
(03:32):
you know, consider first launching a, a moment in a, in a
pop up. You know, it doesn't have to be
permanent, it doesn't have to bedated.
It just needs to be something absolutely now and relevant and
and fun. And I think that's what Top Shop
have done. So kudos.
Would you just have interest? I presume you like the style
that they're doing. I do yeah.
(03:53):
I haven't shopped in Top Shop for, I'm going to say quite a
few years years, but I I do likethe style that they're bringing
back. It's it's cool.
It's. That's cool.
Well, moving on, I actually wrote about as the LinkedIn
earlier this week. It's like one of those disc one.
It wasn't a disc one. It was like, look, I I like the
brand, I like what they do. I appreciate the value that they
(04:14):
offer. But the opening hours, if you're
next to a 24 hour gym, just try and get in line with, you know,
the customers that are coming out.
Whereas Tesco's that was 500 metres up the road was open.
And yeah, I just thought it was a really good.
But anyway, it's not I'm not going to hop on about that
tracking where growth is coming from, convenience and smart
(04:35):
expansion is still happening as there is back on the throttle
restarting the express roll out with 20 stores in October, no
mean free. Little is trying to keep up with
them and I think has got investor backing to build around
another 35 stores. So I think again, sign of our
times, we're seeing what's happening, people in cities,
(04:55):
we're now getting more expressesfrom all of the major players
that the interesting 1 little they're actually going to own
the freeholds, which I know is an absolute nightmare and
raising the capital is, is difficult.
But again, keeping that positivenews, my favourite, your
favourite rituals is also planning another 15 stores in
(05:17):
the UK and fingers crossed, I will be interviewing ahead of
stores at rituals over the next month or so.
So I'm really looking forward tothat.
Sorry, across the UK and Ireland.
So I have to to be clear on that.
And the thing I think we spoke about JD and, and I was sort of
saying, you know, I just athleisure and interestingly
(05:38):
enough, their sales have reflected what we've, what we
talked about, but their share price hasn't.
Because as we could argue in Europe, we've become a little,
we've moved on from athleisure, if you like, from a perspective
in Asia, in the US, they're still doing really well and
(05:58):
they're still growing. So if you like a story of two
halves in the UK soft sales and I my gut feel I'll continue to
happen. I I just, it's just really
difficult to keep, you know, themomentum when so much else is
happening. Yeah, you really need a new
cohort of consumer to to go intothat sort of into that look and
(06:21):
I think people are growing up. So we'll see what I'm, but as I
said, the stock market loves thefact that they're still doing
well in Asia and in the US And closing we go to you.
So yes, so today I wanted to talk about a word that I love,
but a word that I usually associate with like theatre.
But obviously it's today, it's in the context of retail and
(06:42):
that is immersive. But yes, this week the very
group announced their first everimmersive fashion experience.
It's called the Very big Wardrobe, as you can see.
Great name or it's more of a 2 day fashion pop up or let's call
it an experience. It's immersive.
It's happening on the 5th and the 6th of September on New Bond
(07:03):
Street. And I got quite excited when I
read this because this is the first time that we've seen very
who I have to say, I haven't heard of a very long time.
Maybe it's because I've never shopped, but it's the first time
that we've heard about, you know, the people behind very Co
UK them to shop physically. You know, this is a retailer
that has built everything online, which is very
(07:24):
interesting. I was reading what to expect and
it was saying live shows, big theatrical word again, product
moments, immersive storytelling,styling zones and lots of these
kind of interactive installations.
And, you know, very, for me, I'mnot a very customer, but I have
always associated them with likethis catalogue culture.
(07:47):
Yeah. And I love that they're adapting
and I guess in a way rebranding for this night TikTok
generation. I'm really into it because I
think, you know, as we've it just reinforces that people, you
know, people just want to be entertained.
Yeah. And I think they, you know,
particularly with with the younger generation, they they
don't want to leave with just a carry bag.
(08:07):
They want to leave with content.They want to be snapping it,
taking pictures, sharing it. So yeah, I will definitely be
keeping an eye on the very big wardrobe.
Never shopped there in my life, but I will probably go down.
So I might be a new customer. So it proves it works.
So tapping into new customers. I think it's an interesting one.
While you were away, super Drug ran there.
(08:29):
I think it was a three day eventat the brewery I think somewhere
in London. And it was soup is like
everything you just described there is what Superdrug was
doing. So I think the you have to, and
this is interesting you had, it was a super drug experience.
You have to buy a ticket for 25 lbs, but you would get something
like £250 worth of products. Well, that was what they said
(08:52):
and it was sold out. I was going to go, it was sold
out and it was like learn how todo your makeup, learn how to do
your hair, learn how to. It was like this whole immersive
experience event, but paid. So yes, it was a pop up, but it
was a pop up paid experience. Trusting.
Yeah, I just when you were talking there, yeah, but
(09:12):
unfortunately I might go and maybe look a little bit out of
place makeup or maybe I wouldn't, who knows.
But anyway, Simone, thank you somuch.
As I said, we're rattling through this because we.
It's right through it, yeah. Fantastic.
And hopefully you're, you're back now, right?
We've got you for the. Oh, I'm back.
No more holidays, no more. Holidays.
Wonderful. And you had a wonderful time on
(09:34):
holiday. I really did didn't want to we.
Can we can finish on that bombshell?
Thanks so much, Alex.
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