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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Jan- 2025 -28 January
Pets at Home maintains guidance despite stagnant Q3 revenues
Pets at Home has maintained its full-year profit guidance despite the fact that its total group revenue fell 0.2% to £361.6m for the 12 weeks ended 2 January 2025. Its persistence comes as the company saw its consumer revenue increase 2.3% to £468m during the period. Pets at Home stated…
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28 January
HMV owner eyes bid for WH Smith’s high street arm
The owner of HMV is reportedly considering snapping up WH Smith’s high street arm, after the retailer this week confirmed it was exploring a potential sale of its 500 high street stores. According to The Sun, it is understood that HMV owner Doug Putman is now in talks with advisers over…
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27 January
Bestway Retail announces new partnership with operator James Retail
Bestway Retail has announced a new long-term partnership with James Retail, the 40-strong nationwide Convenience and Travel interchange operator, owned by Jonathan James. Already working with the leading privately-owned neighbourhood and travel hub operator, the new agreement accelerates Bestway Retail’s strategic growth plans and sees James Retail convert their estate…
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27 January
The Original Factory Shop nears sale to Baaj Capital
The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) is close to being sold after more than 17 years of ownership of private equity firm Duke Street, Sky News has revealed. Baaj Capital, a family office behind investments in fashion retailer In The Style as well as party supplies group Amscan International, is allegedly…
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27 January
Lakeland owner brings chain to market ahead of tax rises
The family behind kitchenware retailer, Lakeland, has reportedly recruited advisers to explore a sale after more than 60 years as growing cost pressures loom, according to Sky News. According to accounts filed at Companies House for 2023, that year faced “the most challenging economic conditions for several decades” with high…
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27 January
Hotel Chocolat to open 25 stores this year amid record Xmas sales
Hotel Chocolat posted record UK Christmas sales for the 4 weeks to 29 December and has revealed it is set to open 25 new stores in the UK this year. The premium chocolatier saw sales rise 10.4% year-on-year, with 21 and 23 December being the busiest shopping days online and…
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27 January
WH Smith explores sale of high street arm
WH Smith has confirmed that it is exploring the potential sale of its high street stores as it looks to restructure the business, which has seen its Travel business continue to outperform high street outlets in recent years.Over the weekend, Sky News reported that the retailer has been in negotiations…
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24 January
The Works maintains guidance as HY revenues rise 1.3% to £124m
The Works is maintaining its full-year guidance as total revenues rose 1.3% to £124.2m in the first half of FY25, despite like-for-like sales declining by 0.8% during the period. It comes as The Works managed to narrow its pre-IFRS16 adjusted EBITDA loss to £2.8m from a high of £8.5m a…
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22 January
Flying Tiger Copenhagen to open new store at Trafford Centre
Danish variety store Flying Tiger Copenhagen will open a new store at Trafford Centre on 14 February. The new 1,500 sq ft store, located on Upper Peel Avenue, will feature the brand’s core ranges alongside its seasonal love-themed products range to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The shop will mark the brand’s…
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22 January
Waterstones profits quadruple to £43m as office workers return
Waterstones has seen pre-tax profits rise from £11.2m to £42.9m in the year to 27 April 2024, whilst reporting a 16% sales rise to £528.4m. It comes as Waterstones experienced “encouraging” growth in London and other metropolitan city centres, as tourist numbers increased and workers returned to offices. The retailer’s…
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