News-In-Brief
News-In-Brief delivers quick, essential updates on the latest developments across the UK retail industry. This section provides short-form coverage of company announcements, leadership changes, trading updates, and key market movements. Retail Sector’s News-In-Brief is designed for retail professionals who need fast, reliable intelligence on business activity across all segments — from high street to ecommerce and luxury — offering concise summaries that keep decision-makers informed and up to date.
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Jan- 2025 -21 January
Today’s news in brief-21/1/25
Aldi has announced a significant pay increase for its store assistants, setting a new minimum hourly rate of £12.71, rising to £14.00 within London’s M25 area, effective from March 1. This move reaffirms Aldi’s position as the highest-paying supermarket in the UK, exceeding the Real Living Wage standards. The retailer…
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20 January
Today’s news in brief-20/1/25
Quiz is reportedly considering closing up to a third of its 60 stores as part of a restructuring effort to stabilise its business amid mounting financial pressures. The company is set to delist from the AIM market and return to private ownership following a shareholder vote earlier this month. Restructuring…
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17 January
Today’s news in brief-17/1/25
Retail sales in the UK fell by 0.3% in December, disappointing analysts who anticipated a 0.4% rise during the Christmas season. The decline, attributed to the poorest supermarket sales since 2013, was partly offset by a 4.4% rise in clothing sales. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that food…
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16 January
Today’s news in brief-16/1/25
The UK economy experienced modest growth in November 2024, with GDP rising by 0.1% following two months of decline. This upturn was driven by a 0.1% increase in services output, primarily bolstered by a 2% rise in accommodation and food services. Consumer-facing services grew by 0.5%, while wholesale and retail…
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15 January
Today’s news in brief-15/1/25
Inflation in the UK unexpectedly fell to 2.5% in December, marking its first decline in three months, according to the ONS. The decrease, attributed to reduced hotel and tobacco prices despite rising fuel costs, exceeded expectations, as analysts had predicted inflation would remain steady at 2.6%. While inflation remains above…
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14 January
Today’s news in brief-14/1/25
JD Sports adjusted its profit expectations for FY24 to £915m-£935m, down from an earlier forecast of £955m-£1bn, citing challenging market conditions during the holiday season. Sales in the nine weeks to January 4 dipped 1.5%, though December saw a 1.5% rise in like-for-like sales. Organic revenue grew 3.4%, driven by…
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13 January
Today’s news in brief-13/1/25
Asda announced a significant overhaul of its operations, cutting 13 regional manager roles and consolidating management of supermarkets and express stores into 22 sub-regions from 30. The changes, driven by poor Christmas performance with a 5.8% drop in sales and a decline in market share to 12.5%, mark Allan Leighton’s…
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10 January
Today’s news in brief-10/1/25
Shein is reportedly planning a London IPO by mid-2025, with Easter 20 April as a possible completion date if regulatory approval is secured. Rachel Reeves, UK Shadow Chancellor, is visiting China for economic talks, accompanied by Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority head, potentially advancing Shein’s IPO progress. Meanwhile, scrutiny from MPs…
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9 January
Today’s news in brief-9/1/25
The BRC-Nielsen IQ Shop Price Index showed shop price deflation at 1% in early December, up from 0.6% the previous month, reflecting strong discounting tied to a later Black Friday. Non-food prices fell sharply by 2.4%, though food inflation remained steady at 1.8%, its lowest since December 2021. BRC CEO…
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8 January
Today’s news in brief-8/1/25
Home Bargains owner Tom Morris took home over £1bn in dividends as the discount retailer saw turnover rise 11.7% to £4.2bn in the year ending June 2024, driven by new store openings and re-sites. Operating profit also surged 34.2% to £434m. Morris, owning 98% of parent company TJ Morris, received…
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