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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May- 2025 -8 May
Mothercare retail sales fall 18% in FY25
Mothercare, the specialist global brand for parents and young children, has reported an 18% decline in its worldwide retail sales by franchise partners of £231m (FY24: £281m) for the 52 week period to 29 March 2025 (FY25). According to the group, the decline largely resulted from the unchanged trading conditions…
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7 May
The Range unveils new set of format stores amid Homebase acquisition
CDS Superstores, parent company of The Range and Wilko, has confirmed the next raft of openings for its new-format superstores, following the acquisition of the Homebase brand and up to 70 of its stores. Building on earlier plans to convert 45 former Homebase stores across the country as The Range…
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7 May
Card Factory sales and profits rise in FY25 amid growth strategy
Card Factory has welcomed a year of “resilient” trading, with both revenues and profits rising as the group implemented its growth strategy and expanded its store portfolio and product offerings over the period. In the full-year ended 31 January 2025, adjusted profit before tax rose by 6.3% to £66m, while…
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6 May
WH Smith buyer faces year-long ban from mass store closures
The new owner of WH Smith’s high street chain has effectively been banned from enacting widespread store closures for at least 12 months following the acquisition of the chain in March. According to Sky News, WH Smith would have the right to cancel a year-long transitional services agreement (TSA) with…
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Apr- 2025 -28 April
Hilco Capital and Endless table offers for Poundland
Several potential buyers have reportedly tabled their offers to acquire Poundland, after the retailer has been hit by struggling sales and mounting losses in recent months. According to Sky News, Hilco Capital and turnaround investor Endless both set forth their respective proposal offers on Friday (25 April) ahead of a…
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25 April
Hobbycraft set to close nine stores
Hobbycraft is set to close nine stores, a move affecting up to 126 jobs, as part of a restructure led by new owners Modella Capital, it confirmed to the BBC. The restructuring will also result in redundancies across its Bournemouth head office and distribution centre in Burton-on-Trent but it has…
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25 April
Topshop to return to high streets through wholesale partners
Asos has signed agreements with a selection of wholesale partners to put Topshop back on the high street, the group has confirmed in its financial results released yesterday (24 April). While these deals will bring the brand back to brick-and-mortar retailers, Asos is still prioritising the relaunch of a standalone…
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25 April
TOFS places hundreds of jobs at risk under new revival plans
Nearly 1000 jobs at The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) reportedly could be at risk as the company embarks on a survival plan which hinges on widespread rent cuts, according to Sky News. Modella Capital, the new owner of TOFS, has reportedly drawn up plans to renegotiate rents at 88 of…
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23 April
Weston family secures robust returns amid strong retail performance
Wittington Investments, the parent company behind Primark and Fortnum and Mason, has reported increased profits across its retail portfolio, going against wider economic trends. The company, which is owned by the Weston Family, paid out £154m in dividends in the year ended 14 September 2024, up from £128m the year…
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23 April
The Entertainer to launch in over 2,000 Tesco Express stores
The Entertainer is set to introduce a selection of its key toy lines to over 2,000 Tesco Express stores as part of an expanded partnership with the supermarket. From April 2025, the toy retailer will launch in 2,010 Tesco Express stores across the UK, with its selection of toys including…
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