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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Sep- 2022 -9 September
Selfridges to shut today as retailers pay tribute to Queen
Selfridges has announced that its stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham will remain closed today (9 September) as a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away yesterday at the age of 96. The retailer acknowledged the temporary closure on its social media pages, alongside a statement that…
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7 September
Selfridges’ new owners to redevelop Oxford Street space
Selfridges’ new owners, Central Group and Signa Holding, have announced that a redevelopment of the “underutilised” hotel, car park and mews at Selfridges Oxford Street is being assessed to create additional value. Several store transformation programmes and new developments are ongoing in multiple countries. Central Group said that store transformation…
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1 September
John Lewis to offer free staff meals as it recruits 10,000 seasonal workers
The John Lewis Partnership has revealed its plans to recruit more than 10,000 temporary roles across the country this Christmas, as well as plans to offer free food to all partners and temporary workers from 3 October to 6 January to help with the cost of living. It is reported…
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Aug- 2022 -24 August
Department stores could be given protected status
Department stores across the UK could be given protected status following a new review of high streets from Historic England. It comes as many department store units have been left empty following the collapse of such chains as BHS and Debenhams, which fell into administration in recent years, with closures…
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12 August
John Lewis to retire ‘never knowingly undersold’ pledge
John Lewis has announced that it is set to reveal a new company slogan on 22 August, retiring its 97-year-old price pledge of “never knowingly undersold”. The retailer first revealed the pledge was under review in March 2020, a month after Sharon White joined as chair. The Guardian reported that…
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8 August
Mike Ashley pursues legal claim against Morgan Stanley
Mike Ashley has reportedly launched a legal claim against Morgan Stanley, alleging the investment bank acted in “bad faith” over trades made by Ashley to build his stake in Hugo Boss. According to This is Money, court documents claim that Morgan Stanley “intended to harm” Frasers by indirectly forcing it…
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Jul- 2022 -15 July
John Lewis Partnership named ‘Menopause Friendly Employer’
The Menopause Friendly’s independent panel of experts has awarded the John Lewis Partnership its Menopause Friendly Employer accreditation for “creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels able to talk about the menopause”. The company states that it wanted to “create a level playing field” by encouraging an environment in which…
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Jun- 2022 -28 June
Walgreens pulls £5bn Boots sale
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has announced its decision to keep its Boots and No7 Beauty Company businesses under its existing ownership. This marks the conclusion of the review that began in January in line with the Company’s strategic priorities. WBA had been encouraged by productive discussions held with a range…
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20 June
Black Pound Day to launch permanent store in Westfield London
Black Pound Day, a movement for black-owned businesses in the UK, has launched its first permanent store in Westfield London, where more than 70 black owned businesses will be able to sell their products. It will be opening the doors to its storefront on 25 June in Westfield London, following…
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9 June
John Lewis announces proposed locations for rental homes
The John Lewis Partnership has announced its first three locations where it proposes to build new rental homes. The three proposed sites include building over Waitrose shops in Bromley and West Ealing in Greater London and replacing a vacant John Lewis warehouse in Mill Lane, Reading. The three locations were…
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