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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Oct- 2018 -1 October
New West End Company calls for £5bn business rate reduction
The New West End Company, which represents retailers in London’s West End has called for a £5bn reduction in business rates, financed by a 1% tax on online retailers. This week’s Conservative Party conference has seen representatives of the organisation lobbying for the reduction. Businesses across the West End will…
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1 October
Business rates could be changed to help retailers, says Greg Clark
Secretary of state for business Greg Clark has admitted that business rates could be changed in order to help high street retailers. Clark told a fringe event at the Conservative party conference that a change in business rates would be “one way” of recognising the role that high street retailers…
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Sep- 2018 -28 September
Coroner calls Pret a Manger labelling ‘inadequate’ in allergy death
Pret A Manger’s allergy labelling has been deemed “inadequate” by the coroner investigating the death of a 15-year-old girl who died of an allergic reaction to a baguette she purchased from the store. Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, went into cardiac arrest on board a flightn to Nice after buying a sandwich…
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27 September
One in four UK small retail businesses ‘fearful’ of Brexit, research finds
A quarter of small UK retail businesses admit they are “fearful” of Brexit, data from YouGov analysed by Vend has revealed. The retail software management company accessed a research sample of over 1,000 senior managers in the retail sector, working at organisations with fewer than 20 staff, on YouGov’s ‘profiles…
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26 September
eBay enters partnership with first UK city to boost retail
Online marketplace eBay has announced it has entered a 12-month partnership with the city of Wolverhampton to help small retailers get online, grow the local economy and demonstrate that online and high street retail can coexist. The partnership will see experts from the online marketplace stationed in the city to…
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26 September
Poundland to remove kitchen knives from stores
Poundland has announced it will have removed all kitchen knives from its 755 UK stores by the end of next month. The budget retailer said the decision was made through “thoughtful reflection about concerns raised by both communities and colleagues”. Knife crime in England and Wales has risen by 16%…
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26 September
Michael Kors acquires Versace for £1.6bn
Michael Kors has acquired Italian fashion house Versace for £1.6bn, with the deal expected to close in the final quarter of 2019. Upon the closing of the acquisition, Michael Kors Holdings will be renamed to Capri Holdings, with the name inspired by “the fabled island which has long been recognized…
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25 September
‘Weak consumer environment’ hits Card Factory profits
Card Factory has announced that a “weak consumer environment” has had a negative impact on pre-tax profits. The gift shop chain posted pre-tax profits of £22.7m during the six month period ending 31 July 2018, down 14% compared with the previous year. This is despite a total sales increase of…
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25 September
Three further House of Fraser stores to shutter due to ‘greedy landlords’
House of Fraser has announced it is to close three further stores in Hull, Edinburgh and Swindon, with new owner Mike Ashley saying he was unable to agree terms with “greedy landlords”. The retailer is currently in consultation with staff at the affected stores, and said its Bath store was…
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25 September
Next remains ‘cautious’ despite sales increase
High street retailer Next has posted a sales increase of 4.5% for the half year ending July 2018 but said it remained “cautious” in its outlook for the rest of the year. The retailer’s in-store sales amounted to £925.1m while its online sales were £892.3m for the six months. The…
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