Verenigd Koninkrijk

A shocking fact: retail sales in the United Kingdom have fallen for the first time in recorded history. In 2019, 5 % fewer visitors in shopping streets meant retail sales went down 0.1 %. In the Benelux, the number of store visitors is also declining: is there a threat of a retail drama here too?

2019 was an atrocious year for the British retail sector, which lost more than 140,000 jobs over the last year - that is almost 400 jobs per day. Worse is still to come: for 2020, experts fear an even bigger onslaught.

Sports Direct, the sports chain owned by controversial British businessman Mike Ashley, increased its sales to 2.04 billion pounds (2.4 billion euros) in the first six months of the financial year. The group also expects that the dispute with Belgian tax authorities will soon be resolved.

British sportswear retailer Sports Direct is to change its name to Frasers Group, following the acquisition by its owner Mike Ashley of the House of Fraser chain last year.

Belgian water producer Spadel has sold its British division to David Stockley, the current finance and administration manager of the company. The 32 employees at Brecon Carreg will be able to keep their jobs.

With their long-term outlook, family businesses are having to dig in to survive the transformation affecting the retail sector, says Adam Fenwick. Department stores need to adapt, embrace new technology and reflect the needs and aspirations of their local community...

At Marks & Spencer, online customers can now pay in arrears: they have the opportunity to pay interest-free in four instalments. The trend of paying for items in instalments is also gaining momentum elsewhere.