Factbox: How UK retailers fared over Omicron-hit Christmas

Jan 12 (Reuters) – British retailers are adding up the takings from a second Christmas in the shadow of the coronavirus, with rising inflation another cloud on the horizon. read more

The following is a summary of what major retailers have said so far about their performance over the holiday season, with Tesco (TSCO.L) and Marks & Spencer (MKS.L) due to report on Thursday. read more

SAINSBURY (SBRY.L)

The UK’s second biggest supermarket group raised its full-year profit forecast by at least 9% after grocery sales over the Christmas quarter beat its expectations, even though they fell short of its stellar 2020 festive performance. read more

JD SPORTS (JD.L)

Britain’s biggest sportswear retailer raised its annual profit forecast for the second time in four months on Wednesday as shoppers splashed out on sportswear during the holidays and U.S. consumers spent their stimulus cheques on the latest trends. read more

DUNELM (DNLM.L)

The British homewares and furniture retailer reported record Christmas sales on Wednesday, putting it on track to soundly beat profit forecasts and lifting its shares. read more

TOPPS TILES (TPT.L)

Topps Tiles said on Wednesday it expects annual gross margins to be “moderately lower” compared with last year, as the British tile retailer battles higher shipping and input costs. read more

NEXT (NXT.L)

Next raised its full-year profit outlook for a fifth time in 10 months on Jan. 6 after beating guidance for sales in the run-up to Christmas, boosted by an unexpected revival in demand for adult formal and occasionwear. read more

GREGGS (GRG.L)

The food-to-go retailer said on Jan. 6 it anticipates its full-year outcome would be slightly ahead of its previous expectations, after reporting a 0.8% rise in like-for-like sales for its fourth quarter compared to two years ago. read more

B&M (BMEB.L)

B&M European Value Retail SA forecast annual profit ahead of estimates, following the discount retailer’s decision to take delivery of imported stock earlier than usual. read more

ALDI UK

The British arm of German discount supermarket group Aldi said on Monday its Christmas performance was boosted by record sales of its premium range and strong demand for beer, wine and spirits, with its sales up 8.1% versus 2019. read more

Reporting by Muhammed Husain in Bengaluru
Editing by Keith Weir

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