UK retailers chose different ways of surviving 2019. Some prospered and some struggled. For Boohoo group revenue jumped 43 per cent year on year. Its adjusted ebitda was up 53 per cent while gross profit grew 40 per cent in the first half of 2018-19. Adjusted profit before tax was up 45 per cent on last year. Primark has continued to expand its impressive retail footprint over the past 12 months, opening 14 new stores in the year. It now has 161 UK stores. Primark’s revenue rose 4.2 per cent for the year driven by its ongoing store expansion. The company is now focusing on international expansion as well as investing in customer experience and service.

Sportswear giant JD Sports’ revenue almost doubled for the six month period. Group revenue jumped 47 per cent compared with the same period last year. Operating profit increased 61 per cent on the previous year. Profit before tax grew by seven per cent. JD Sports has branched into the wholesale market over the past 12 months.

British mother and baby retailer Mothercare is expected to wind down its UK business by February 2020. All of Mothercare’s 79 stores are expected to close. Business rates and rent prices, in addition to a decline in sales, are all part of the issues facing the retailer. An outdated business model and failure to invest in online retail have also contributed to its downfall.