Department Stores
The latest news, updates and analysis on the department stores segment of the the UK retail industry. Sign up to the Daily Briefing and let Retail Sector’s business journalists keep you in the picture.
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Aug- 2025 -18 August
John Lewis to add 100 new clothing brands to lineup
John Lewis is reportedly adding 100 new clothing brands to its stores in a bid to compete with Next and Marks and Spencer. According to The Telegraph, the retailer is preparing to add dozens of new menswear and womenswear clothing ranges from British brands to help boost fashion sales. New…
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4 August
Debenhams launches AI academy for employees
Debenhams Group has launched an AI skills academy, a new programme aiming to provide its employees with practical AI skills. The academy is being rolled out in partnership with workforce development platform Multiverse. It will be fully funded through the group’s £1.35m apprenticeship levy, and provide employees with “structured, on-the-job…
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1 August
Harvey Nichols unveils first phase of flagship redevelopment
Harvey Nichols is set to unveil the first stage of its transformation with the launch of a reimagined ground floor at its Knightsbridge flagship. The store said the space marks a “significant” evolution for its brand, introducing a “bold direction” that blends fine and designer jewellery with a curated lifestyle…
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Jul- 2025 -31 July
Next ups full-year guidance as Q2 sales rise 10.5%
Next has upped its full-year sales guidance after sales soared by 10.5% in its second quarter, as the group “overperformed” in both the UK and international markets. In the quarter ended 26 July 2025, full price sales were £49m ahead of its original guidance, with the group previously expecting a…
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23 July
Over 100 Al Fayed abuse victims apply for compensation
More than 100 abuse victims of Mohamed Al Fayed have entered a compensation scheme opened by Harrods earlier this year, following his alleged sexual abuse of hundreds of women. The department store confirmed it began issuing compensation to victims at the end of April, and the scheme remains open for…
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21 July
John Lewis workers could receive bonus for first time in four years
John Lewis workers could reportedly receive their bonus for the first time in four years if the company beats its £200m profit target amid turnaround plans, The Financial Times has reported. In an internal update seen by the paper, the employee-owned company said that if profits exceeded the target then…
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17 July
Frasers warns of £50m budget hit despite FY25 profit rise
Frasers has seen pre-tax profits rise by 2.8% to £560.2m in its full-year results, but has warned it faces over £50m in extra costs caused by last year’s budget. In the year ended 27 April 2025, trading was particularly strong in the second half, where profits were up by 8.3%,…
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Jun- 2025 -20 June
Matalan losses widen to £67m
Matalan has revealed a loss-before-tax for the 52 weeks to 24 May 2025 of £67m, up from £60m the previous year, driven by “exceptional non-cash impacting items”. Total revenue fell 9% to £985m, down from £1.08bn in 2024, although performance improved in the second half, particularly online. Gross margin rose…
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18 June
John Lewis commercial staff return to office three days a week
John Lewis has confirmed that some parts of its commercial team have been asked to work either in the office, in stores or with brands and suppliers three days a week. According to John Lewis, flexible working “very much remains in place”, with a mix of office working, being close…
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16 June
Fortnum and Mason eyes first UK stores outside of London
Fortnum and Mason is reportedly considering opening its first ever UK stores outside of London following a surge in demand for its luxury teas, biscuits and jam. The company’s CEO Tom Athron told The Telegraph that he would be interested in having branches “up the spine of the country”. He…
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