But that doesn’t mean things are going awry for everyone. There are still some retailing bright spots.
JD Sports
“The middle- or mass-market is very difficult in the High Street and you have to look to the premium purpose and the discount end of world markets for the good stories, ” mentions independent retail analyst Nick Bubb.
He sets JD Sports in the former category, along with brands such as John Lewis, Joules, Hotel Chocolat and Superdry.
The purveyor of “athleisure” – fashionable athletics clothes and shoes – displays prestigious brands prominently, and uses in-store technology to provide a upmarket seem.
George Salmon, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown tells: “That’s what the customer craves – the latest provide from Nike and Adidas. We’ve seen that in the numbers.”
Image copyrightJD Sports
Positioned one notch highest in world markets than Sports Direct, it has also benefited from its rival’s difficulties.
Results this week proved sales up 33% for last year with gains 24% higher, and the company said it’s looking at expanding into the US market.
Primark
At the other objective of the market, way chain Primark is leaving rivals like New look for dust by sticking to one principle.
“Price is the main thing, ” says Mr Salmon. “Price is always front and centre.”
Sometimes you hear that to survive retailers must have a strong online offering, or should provide in-store theatre to maintain customers coming back. Primark does neither.
Instead it’s the Lidl of clothing retail: piling ’em high, sell ’em cheap. And it operates. This week Primark reported higher UK marketings and plans for two new stores.
Image copyrightPress Association
But Kate Hardcastle, retail analyst at Insight With Passion, says there’s more to it than that.
“If you look at their Instagram they have a following of five. 3 million.
“They’re connecting the public with what’s in store and creating a conversation.
“There’s no big ad campaign , no supermodels. They’re merely getting patrons into the store.”
Image copyright Reuters 
