CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Open account
☰
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Open account
✖

Waitrose and House of Fraser enjoy strong Christmas sales

Article By: ,  Financial Analyst
January 7, 2015 10:26 AM

Supermarket chain Waitrose and department store House of Fraser have enjoyed strong Christmas sales performances.

The pair reported increases in like-for-like sales during the traditionally busy retail period with Waitrose seeing rises of 2.8 per cent in the five weeks to January 3rd. House of Fraser also performed strongly during a similar timeframe with like-for-like sales growing by eight per cent in the six weeks to January 3rd, compared to the same period a year earlier.

It was an impressive achievement by Waitrose which was seen to be bucking the trend in the grocery sector over the Christmas weeks. The John Lewis Partnership-owned firm is expected to outshine its competitors with brokers forecasting that none of the big four – Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons – will post increases in like-for-like sales.

Waitrose's performance also highlights a fightback among the more traditional supermarkets against the emerging discounters such as Aldi and Lidl. The low-cost retailers have been squeezing the mainstream supermarkets in recent months and has seen their market share increase as a result. Waitrose's latest results helps to stem the tide.

Mark Price, Waitrose managing director, said: "As a business owned by the people who work here, we can take the long-term view and our Christmas results show the effectiveness of our strategy of investing in good value, in making our shops attractive destinations and in building our online business."

For House of Fraser, the department store's chief executive John King explained that the results put the company in a strong position going into 2015. Mr King said he was "delighted" by the trading update adding that the firm would be looking to invest the money made into its online offering as well as refurbishing a number of its 59 stores across the UK and Ireland.

Retailers across the UK were boosted in the run-up to the Christmas period by an increase in shopping on the infamous Black Friday event, where many shops made significant discounts for one day only.

Find up to date information on the FTSE 100 and spread betting strategies at City Index.

StoneX Financial Ltd (trading as “City Index”) is an execution-only service provider. This material, whether or not it states any opinions, is for general information purposes only and it does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. This material has been prepared using the thoughts and opinions of the author and these may change. However, City Index does not plan to provide further updates to any material once published and it is not under any obligation to keep this material up to date. This material is short term in nature and may only relate to facts and circumstances existing at a specific time or day. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, legal, tax or other advice and no reliance should be placed on it.

No opinion given in this material constitutes a recommendation by City Index or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although City Index is not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, City Index does not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination. This material is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

For further details see our full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFD and Forex Trading are leveraged products and your capital is at risk. They may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved by reading our full risk warning.

City Index is a trading name of StoneX Financial Ltd. Head and Registered Office: 1st Floor, Moor House, 120 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5ET. StoneX Financial Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales, number: 05616586. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Register Number: 446717.

City Index is a trademark of StoneX Financial Ltd.

The information on this website is not targeted at the general public of any particular country. It is not intended for distribution to residents in any country where such distribution or use would contravene any local law or regulatory requirement.

© City Index 2024