Page 32 - June 2021

MARK FAITHFULL

Following

the Money

Mark Faithfull crunches the numbers as he looks at
analysis and expansion that reflects changing markets

FIRST GOOGLE STORE TO OPEN IN JOLLIBEE BRINGS FILIPINO CHICKENJOY TO LONDON
NEW YORK THIS SUMMER
Could chicken be the saviour of London’s pandemic bruised and battered West End? While
Google has announced its first ever physical Oxford Street reels from a gathering spate of store closures and the loss of some of its most
retail store will open this summer in the Chelsea famous retail names, the UK’s seemingly insatiable appetite for chicken has encouraged new
area of New York City. The new Google Store brands with big plans to the capital.
in Chelsea will, Google said, be a “space where While US cult favourite Popeyes has announced major growth ambitions for the UK and
customers can experience our hardware and Britain’s Slim Chickens is expanding its portfolio, the cult Filipino group Jollibee officially
services in a helpful way.” opened its European flagship store on London’s famous Leicester Square in May. Such is
At the Google Store, customers will be able to Jollibee’s notoriety in the Philippines; Jollibee was anticipating long queues for its grand
browse and buy a wide selection of products made Leicester Square opening, after entertaining a host of largely Gen Z and Asian influencers
by Google, ranging from Pixel phones to Nest when I visited its press preview.
products, Fitbit devices to Pixelbooks and more. Aiming to sit between the fast food giants and the fast casual premium brands, Jollibee is
Or shop online and pick up their orders in store. using the UK to test the market for a wider European launch. It already has outlets in Milan
Throughout the store, visitors will be able to and Rome, with Spanish capital Madrid slated for later this year. The holding Jollibee Group
experience how Google products and services now has over 5,800 stores globally across 33 countries.
work together in a “variety of immersive ways”,
more of which Google will share when the doors
open. Google will also have experts on hand to
help visitors get the most out of their devices, such
as troubleshooting an issue, fixing a cracked Pixel
screen or helping with installations.
Jason Rosenthal, VP, Direct Channels &
Membership, at Google, said: “It doesn’t matter
whether you’re a long-time Pixel user, are
curious about our Nest displays or want to
participate in one of the how-to workshops we’ll
offer throughout the year — our team will be
able to provide you with help that’s specific and
personalised to your needs.”
From the sounds of it, this new space takes its
playbook from Apple - which recently celebrated
the 20th year anniversary of opening its first
store at Tyson Corner, Maryland - by opening an
interactive space where people can come in to try
out its products and get support from in-store
experts.

BOOHOO SALES SURGE AS IT PIVOTS FROM PARTY DRESSES TO
SWEAT PANTS
Online fast fashion retailer Boohoo has reported a 41 per cent leap in full-year sales as
home working in the UK fuelled surging demand for athleisure and loungewear, making up for
a corresponding slump in going out apparel.
With social lives on hold for more than 12 months, activewear sales forged ahead during
the pandemic, as Boohoo saw what it described as “significant declines” in areas such as
dresses and “going out” clothes because of repeated Covid lockdowns that left its customers
with little reason to dress up.
An added bonus for the company’s Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing and Nasty Gal brands is
that casualwear tends to have lower return rates than items such as party dresses, sometimes
sold for as little as £5, as the Manchester-based group quickly pivoted to selling sweat pants
and hoodies, designed for comfort at home.
Over the year, Boohoo bought a number of well-known UK high street brands which failed
to survive the pandemic, including ailing department store chain Debenhams.
Boohoo also acquired the Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton fashion brands from Sir Philip
Green’s collapsed Arcadia Group empire. Boohoo said it expects these new acquisitions to
contribute around five per cent to sales growth in the current financial year.

50 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL NOVEMBER 2018
30 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2021