Both investors and supermarkets will gain from marriage of convenience

17 May 13

In the last few weeks, we have had strategic updates from all of the big food retailers and the shift in their attitude towards new stores has been marked.

How Halfords confronted its service history full on

19 April 13

There has been a large number of retail updates in the last few weeks and, although the headline numbers from Halfords no more than meet expectations - strong sales growth in car maintenance, poor cycling turnoverbecause of the cold weather - the positive direction in which the company is moving…

John Lewis Partnership: never knowingly under pressure

15 March 13

Last week’s John Lewis figures showed that a retailer with good real estate, strong management, trusted brands and motivated staff can win the arm wrestle with the wider economy.

Success of click and collect could mean slim pickings for Ocado

15 February 13

In many respects, last week’s preliminary results from Ocado were encouraging

‘M factor’ suggests Tesco’s Christmas cracker is no blip

18 January 13

Tesco’s Christmas trading was stronger than expected and there are several reasons why its better form will continue.

‘Category killers’ Debenhams and ASOS will go from strength to strength in 2013

21 December 12

2012 was a stellar year for shares in the retail sector. The average share price has risen by 23% since 1 January, and four companies that we cover have more than doubled.

M&S’s latest collection helps clear skeletons from wardrobe

16 November 12

Marks & Spencer has always divided opinion, but the fans and the detractors have rarely been more polarised than now.

Stuck in the slow lane: Morrisons needs to catch up in every aisle

19 October 12

Recent Kantar data does not make good reading for Morrisons, and City forecasts have been falling.

New-look Supergroup board turns its attention to women

21 September 12

The retail sector has helped the wider stock market test its year highs, and no stock in the industry has done better in recent months than Supergroup.