英語学習

英語ニュース教材：Tesco and M&S report strong Christmas food sales（Intermediate レベル）

 

Contents

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

In recent news, two major British retailers, Tesco and Marks & Spencer (M&S), have reported impressive sales figures for the Christmas period. Both companies experienced strong demand for their food products during this festive season. Tesco, one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, noted that their food sales were particularly high. They attributed this success to a combination of factors including an increased range of festive food options and strategic pricing that appealed to a wide range of customers.

Marks & Spencer, known for its premium food and clothing, also saw a significant rise in their food sales over the Christmas period. However, the company reported that sales of clothing and homeware did not perform as well. Despite the overall positive performance in food sales, M&S faced challenges in their clothing and homeware departments, which saw a decline in customer interest compared to previous years.

The strong food sales at both Tesco and M&S reflect a broader trend of consumers prioritizing quality and convenience during the holiday season. Many customers are opting to celebrate at home with family and friends, leading to increased spending on food and drink. The companies’ ability to adapt to consumer demands by offering a wide range of festive products has been a key factor in their success.

While Tesco and M&S are celebrating their food sales achievements, the decline in clothing and homeware sales at M&S points to ongoing challenges in the retail sector. These areas face increased competition from online retailers and changing consumer preferences. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, companies must remain agile and responsive to shifting market conditions to maintain their competitive edge.

📝 Vocabulary

  • retailer: a person or business that sells goods to the public（小売業者）
    例文: “The retailer offered discounts to attract more customers.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • major retailer
    • online retailer
    • local retailer
  • festive: related to a festival or celebration（祝祭の）
    例文: “The streets were decorated with festive lights.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • festive season
    • festive spirit
    • festive mood
  • attribute: to say that something is caused by something else（〜のせいにする）
    例文: “The company attributed its success to good marketing.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • attribute to
    • attribute success
    • attribute cause
  • premium: of high quality, often expensive（高級な）
    例文: “They offer premium products at a higher price.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • premium quality
    • premium brand
    • premium price
  • decline: to decrease in quantity or importance（減少する）
    例文: “There was a decline in sales last year.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • sharp decline
    • steady decline
    • significant decline

✏️ Grammar Point

Past Simple Tense – “They attributed this success to a combination of factors including an increased range of festive food options and strategic pricing.”

文法の日本語補足を見る
過去の出来事を述べる時に使われる

💡 使用場面

過去に起こった出来事や事象を説明する際に使われます。ビジネスの報告やミーティングで過去の業績やイベントを説明する時に便利です。

📝 使用例文

“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”

❓ Listening Questions

  1. True/False: Tesco and M&S both reported strong sales in clothing and homeware.
  2. MCQ: Which factor contributed to Tesco’s strong food sales?
    a) New clothing line
    b) Increased range of festive food options
    c) Discounted homeware
    d) Online promotions
  3. MCQ: What challenge does M&S face according to the report?
    a) High competition in food sales
    b) Decline in clothing and homeware sales
    c) Poor customer service
    d) Lack of new product range
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. False
  2. b) Increased range of festive food options
  3. b) Decline in clothing and homeware sales

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What did Tesco attribute their strong food sales to during the Christmas period?
  2. Why do you think M&S’s clothing and homeware sales did not perform well?
  3. What does the word “attribute” mean in the context of this article?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
  1. Tesco attributed their strong food sales to an increased range of festive food options and strategic pricing.
  2. M&S’s clothing and homeware sales may not have performed well due to increased competition and changing consumer preferences.
  3. The word “attribute” means to say that something is caused by something else.

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

イギリスの大手小売業者であるテスコとマークス＆スペンサー（M&S）は、クリスマス期間中の食品売上が好調であったと報告しました。特にテスコは、幅広い祭日用食品の提供と戦略的な価格設定が成功の要因であるとしています。一方、M&Sの衣料品と家庭用品の売上は振るわず、オンライン小売業者との競争が激化していることが原因と考えられます。このような動向は、家庭での時間を重視する消費者が増えていることを反映しています。将来的には、小売業界は消費者の好みに迅速に対応し、競争力を維持することが求められるでしょう。

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp82ylmy6d1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

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