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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Jun- 2023 -30 June
WH Smith to not open any more high street stores
WH Smith chief executive Carl Cowling has told the BBC that the retailer will not open any more UK high street stores, instead focusing on UK airports and train stations, as well as openings in the US and European markets. This comes as, over the past 20 years, the retailer…
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28 June
ProCook revenues fall 9.9% in FY23
Kitchenware brand ProCook has revealed that total revenues fell by 9.9% to £62.3m in the year ended 2 April, with like-for-like revenues declining by 10.7% year-on-year following outperformance by the group last year. The group attributed its performance to gross profit margins being held back by higher supply chain costs…
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27 June
Hot weather fails to tempt shoppers as footfall drops by 2.3%
The recent hot and sunny weather failed to tempt shoppers last week, as footfall across all UK retail destinations fell by -2.3% against the week before, according to new data from MRI Springboard. This was a “sharp” contrast with the week before last, when footfall rose by an average of…
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23 June
Hotel Chocolat expects to deliver marginal loss for FY23
Hotel Chocolat has announced that it anticipates to deliver an underlying marginal loss before tax for FY23, despite cash generation remaining healthy, with cash-at-hand of £19m and zero debt. The direct-to-consumer chocolate brand’s trading update comes after a previous announcement, which outlined that the current financial year is a “transition”…
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23 June
Bank holidays boost May retail sales
Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.3% in May 2023, beating analysts’ forecasts amid a welcomed boost from warm weather and May bank holidays. According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), non-store retailing sales volumes rose by 2.7% in May 2023 because…
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21 June
WHSmith, M&S and Argos ordered to pay underpaid staff
WHSmith, M&S and Argos have been ordered to pay unpaid wages to thousands of staff following an investigation from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). WHSmith have been ordered to pay over £1m to over 17,000 workers after a policy making staff supply their own uniform caused their wages…
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20 June
Next ups FY guidance as sales improve due to good weather
Next is upgrading its full price sales guidance for the full year by £137m and its full year profit guidance by £40m to £835m, as trading in the last seven weeks has proved “materially better” than the guidance it issued in May. This comes as full price sales in the…
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19 June
Wilko landlords could face no rent for three years under CVA
Some landlords of Wilko stores could reportedly receive no rent for three years, as the chain looks to make drastic cost cuts ahead of a restructuring vote. According to the Sunday Times, it comes as Wilko is looking to slash its rent bill as part of its CVA which is…
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16 June
Frasers ups stake in Asos to over 10%
Mike Ashley’s Frasers has increased its stake in online fashion retailer asos for the third time in two weeks. Frasers has increased its holding to 10.6%, fueling further speculation of a possible takeover offer after beginning last week with a 7.4% stake. Frasers is currently Asos’ fourth largest shareholder having…
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16 June
WHSmith partners with Retail Trust to boost staff wellbeing
WHSmith is introducing new measures to support its employees’ health and happiness after partnering with retail industry charity the Retail Trust to help boost staff wellbeing. The group’s 12,000 plus employees and their families now have access to a range of personalised resources including the Retail Trust’s wellbeing helpline, counselling…
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