High Street
The latest news, updates and analysis on the the British High Street and 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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Mar- 2025 -11 March
Convenience stores victim to over 6.2 million thefts last year, ACS finds
The UK’s local shops recorded an estimated 6.2 million incidents of shop theft last year, compared with 5.6 million in the previous year, according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). The ACS said this marked another “record level” of theft committed against convenience store retailers, with the total cost…
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10 March
Two bidders remain in running for WH Smith high street arm
Only two firms reportedly remain in the running to acquire WH Smith’s high street business, with a possible decision coming sometime this spring, according to Sky News. The news outlet revealed that Alteri Investors, which owns Bensons for Beds, and the Hobbycraft and The Original Factory Shop owner Modello Capital…
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10 March
UK retail footfall rebounds with high streets leading the way
Retail footfall rose by 1.8% overall for the week ended 7 March 2025 compared with the week before, driven by a 4.2% rebound in high street activity and by 0.1% in retail parks. However, shopping centres saw a 1.6% decline in footfall, reflecting cautious consumer behaviour ahead of Mother’s Day…
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7 March
Retail parks lead the way as footfall sees small bounce in February
UK footfall edged up 0.2% in February as the performance from UK retail parks helped footfall increase for the second consecutive month, according to the latest BRC-Sensormatic data. Footfall increased by 0.1% at UK high streets, down from 4.5% in January, while Shopping Centre footfall increased by 0.1% in February…
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7 March
HMV halts UK expansion amid rising wage costs
HMV has halted its UK expansion in anticipation of the rising wage costs due to commence next month, and will open stores in Ireland and Belgium instead, The Guardian has reported. According to managing director Phil Halliday, HMV had ambitions to open as many as 10 additional stores in the…
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7 March
Boots owner sold to Sycamore Partners in $23.7bn deal
Walgreens Boots Alliance has announced that it has been acquired by American private equity firm Sycamore Partners in a deal worth up to $23.7bn (£18.3bn). The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter calendar year 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by WBA shareholders and the…
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6 March
Pepco explores potential sale of Poundland amid trading challenges
Pepco has announced that it is “actively exploring” a potential sale of Poundland amid rising pressures on the business, and instead plans to focus on the Pepco brand as a single future format. The discount retail group said its “ultimate ambition” is to operate under a single Pepco format, which…
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5 March
Games Workshop welcomes strong start to 2025
Games Workshop has revealed today (5 March) in a short trading update that its performance in January and February has been ahead of expectations. According to the designer and maker of miniature figurines, it has benefited from strong trading across both the core business and licensing. As a result, the…
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4 March
Greggs sales surge to £2.01bn in FY24
Greggs has surpassed the £2bn mark as its sales increased 11.3% to £2.014bn, with LFL sales in company-managed shops up 5.5% year-on-year, in the 52 weeks ended 28 December 2024. The group’s underlying pre-tax profit also increased 13.2% to £189.8m, while its total pre-tax profit was up 8.3% to £203.9m.…
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Feb- 2025 -28 February
TJX net sales up 4% to $56bn
The TJX Companies has revealed that its net sales rose 4% to $56bn (44.4bn) for the year ended 1 February 2025. Its TJX International business, which incorporates Europe and Australia, posted net sales of $7.2bn for the full year, an increase of 6%. Furthermore, the company’s net income was $4.9bn…
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