News
News is Retail Sector’s central hub for breaking stories, market developments and company updates from across the UK retail industry. This category delivers authoritative, timely coverage on everything from trading performance and executive changes to store openings, brand activity and supply chain developments.
Retail Sector’s news coverage focuses on the business realities behind the headlines — providing retail professionals with context on how each development impacts operations, strategy and market confidence. Readers can expect clear, accurate reporting designed to keep decision-makers informed and competitive in a fast-moving retail landscape.
-
Jan- 2019 -22 January
Poundland sparks controversy over Valentine’s ‘Gift of Nothing’
Poundland has sparked controversy over the sale of its new ‘Gift of Nothing’ product, which is effectively an empty heart shaped package with the words “exactly what you asked for”. The product has been released as part of Poundland’s Valentine’s Day line and is on sale for the retailer’s trademark…
Read More » -
22 January
Ousted Deciem founder Brandon Truaxe dies
The founder of beauty brand Deciem has died, the company announced in a statement on Monday (21 January). Brandon Truaxe, 40, launched the brand back in 2013 in Toronto and it is now best known for its skincare line The Ordinary. The news comes after Truaxe was recently ousted from…
Read More » -
22 January
Dixons Carphone sees Christmas sales boost
Electronics retailer Dixons Carphone has reported a 2% increase in like-for-like sales for the 10 weeks ending 5 January 2019. Group like-for-like revenue increased by 1% during the festive period, with share gains across all categories online and in-store, offsetting market decline. However, UK and Ireland mobile like-for-like sales were…
Read More » -
22 January
Pets at Home sees ‘strong’ festive sales
Pets at Home had its “biggest trading day” the Saturday before Christmas, as the retailer reported an increase in sales over the festive period. In the 12 week period from 12 October 2018 to 3 January 2019, the chain saw its group revenue increase by 6.3% to £237.2m while its…
Read More » -
21 January
Chapelle enters administration
Jewellery and watch retailer Chapelle has entered into administration, four years after it was sold to HMV owners Hilco UK. Philip Duffy and Sarah Bell of accountancy firm Duff & Phelps have been appointed as administrators of both Mortimer Management Group and The Jewellery Outlet, which makes up Chapelle. The…
Read More » -
21 January
ONS reports retail growth ‘slowdown’
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has announced a “slowdown” in retail growth for the whole of 2018 which it said increased by 2.7% in the quantity bought, 2% less than the peak of 4.7% experienced in 2016. For the three months to December 2018 estimates in quantity bought declined…
Read More » -
21 January
Mike Ashley among bidders eyeing HMV
According to reports, Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley is among bidders seeking to purchase HMV, which recently announced its second administration in six years. The music and film retailer officially fell into administration during the festive period, and was denied a £3.35m government tax cut before it entered administration according…
Read More » -
21 January
Vans and North Face owner raises FY forecasts amid revenue boost
VF Corporation (VFC), Vans and The North Face owner, has reported a Q3 4% total revenue growth in its EMEA region and has raised its FY 2019 expectations. In the three months ending December 2018 its Vans brand experienced a global increase of 27% and an 10% increase in its…
Read More » -
21 January
Retail job losses to increase by 27,000, analysis suggests
Online retailers are having a “profound effect” on the commercial property market as the value in retail property is set to fall by 15.9% this year, new research has predicted. Furthermore, job losses and store closures have been forecasted to increase by 26,918 and 3,764 respectively compared with 2018 across…
Read More » -
18 January
Moodys lowers Debenhams and New Look ratings
Financial services firm Moodys has changed the outlook for both New Look and Debenhams from stable to negative amid both retailer’s current financial troubles. Debenhams posted a poor Christmas trading update and is currently holding discussions to refinance its £320m revolving credit facility. The department store reported a 3.4% drop…
Read More »
