News
The latest news, updates and analysis on the the UK retail industry. Covering every segment of the market, Retail Sector’s business journalists keep you in the picture.
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Oct- 2018 -8 October
B&Q slash 200 management roles to ‘boost shop floor staff numbers’
DIY retailer B&Q has announced proposals to “improve customers’ shopping experience” in stores by moving 1,750 colleagues to shop floor roles. The move will increase the number of customer-facing colleagues in B&Q’s 289 UK stores, but will slash around 200 management roles, with the proposal aiming to move replenishment activities…
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8 October
Quiz issues profit warning leading to 25% share tumble
Clothing retailer Quiz has released a profit warning, five months after announcing a revenue growth of 30%. Shares in Quiz dropped by 25% following the announcement with it claiming its recent performance was “behind our expectations” adding that the company’s performance “declined” during the second half of the financial year.…
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8 October
French Connection considering a potential sale
French Connection has confirmed it is considering the potential sale of the business as it is currently “reviewing all strategic options”. In a statement to the London Stock Exchange on Monday (8 October) the fashion retailer set out its position following reports over the weekend, and also added that there…
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8 October
Footfall continues to fall in September
Footfall continued on its decline in September, according to the Ipsos Retail Performance Weathermap. All regions saw a year-on-year drop in footfall, with Scotland and Northern Ireland recording a 3.3% decline and northern England seeing 5.5% less retail visitors. The Midlands, south west England and Wales and London and the…
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5 October
Intu deputy chairman considers takeover bid
John Whittaker, the deputy chairman of Intu, is believed to be considering a £2bn deal to take over the shopping centre developer that owns venues such as Lakeside in Essex and the Trafford Centre in Manchester. Whittaker currently owns 27% of the company and has formed a consortium via his…
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5 October
New Waitrose scheme lets drivers ‘put away’ shopping while homeowners are out
Waitrose & Partners has announced a new scheme which allows drivers to deliver groceries to customers inside their homes and put them away while they are out. The retailer will initially test demand for the new service, which is called ‘While You’re Away’, with 100 customers located within the delivery…
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5 October
MPs launch inquiry into top fashion retailers
Some 10 of the UK’s leading fashion retailers have been asked to submit evidence on the steps being taken to reduce social and environmental impact. The chair of the Environmental Audit Committee Mary Creagh MP has written to the chief executives of a number of retail chains. This includes Asda,…
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5 October
Nike ‘deeply concerned’ over Cristiano Ronaldo rape allegations
US sportswear brand Nike has said it is “deeply concerned” over rape allegations against Juventus footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, and added it would “continue to closely monitor the situation”. Kathryn Mayorga has alleged that Ronaldo raped her nine years ago in a penthouse suite at Hotel Palms Place in Las Vegas.…
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4 October
Ten retailers defying high street blues in 2018
This year will likely go down in history as a turning point for high street retail in the UK, with a slew of firms going under, announcing job losses, store closures, or just going under completely. We have put together a list of those which, despite the blues, are making…
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4 October
Ted Baker posts profit rise of 3.5%
Ted Baker has posted a 3.5% rise in profits before tax and exceptional items to £25m as it continues to deal with “challenging external trading conditions”. During the six month period ending 11 August, the fashion retailer also saw group revenues increase by 3.5% to £306m up from £295m the…
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