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.
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Dec- 2018 -10 December
Amazon eyes London’s West End for cashierless store
Amazon is planning to open one of its cashierless Amazon Go stores near Oxford Circus in London’s West End, its first in the UK. According to The Sunday Telegraph the opening of a UK store, which will the company’s UK flagship, is being orchestrated by Amazon’s US arm and not…
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10 December
Mike Ashley’s Flannels given £125k rates relief despite £65m turnover
Mike Ashley’s high end fashion chain Flannels has been handed £125,000 in business rates “help” by a local council amid fears that a former pub and nightclub it bought back in 2016 would be left derelict. Doncaster Council agreed the funding to Flannels’ over a “derelict” site at Priory Walk,…
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7 December
Ted Baker CEO and founder in ‘leave of absence’
The chief executive of Ted Baker, who is facing allegations of misconduct, has taken a “leave of absence” from the company according to an announcement. Read the full statement: On 3rd December 2018 Ted Baker plc (the “Company”) announced that it had appointed an independent committee of Non-Executive Directors (the “Committee”)…
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7 December
Games Workshop defies ‘high street woes’ with strong H1 results
Fantasy miniatures retailer Games Workshop has reported sales of £124m and operating profits of £41m for the first six months of its 2018/19 financial year. The group said the results were “in line with expectations” for the year ending 2 June 2019, but added that the board is “aware it…
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7 December
Primark owner warns ‘trading was challenging’ for November
Primark owner, Associated British Foods has warned that trading for November was “challenging” for the clothing retailer. The group’s chairman, Michael McLintock, will say at its AGM today that a “tough retail market” was to blame for a challenging month. Trading was “in line with expectations” for the first eight…
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7 December
Retailers could lose out on £496m refund as ATM ruling is appealed
In November, the Court of Appeal ruled that ATMs inside and outside of stores should not be assessed for business rates
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6 December
Tesco executives acquitted in £250m fraud trial
Chris Bush, former UK managing director, and John Scouler, former UK food commercial director of Tesco have been acquitted of £250m fraud and false accounting charges after a judge ruled there was a lack of evidence. In August 2014, Tesco reported half-year profits of £1.1bn, however weeks later its said…
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6 December
Ted Baker launches investigation into CEO ‘hugging’ allegations
Fashion retailer Ted Baker has launched an investigation into harassment allegations against its founder and CEO Ray Kelvin, after reports claimed he hugged workers and kissed their necks and ears. The group has appointed independent law firm Herbert Smith Freehills to conduct an independent external investigation into the reports it…
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6 December
UK customers to boost retailers with £420 festive spend
New Christmas trading analysis from PwC has suggested UK shoppers are preparing to spend an average of £420 on Christmas presents this year. Those in the 35-44 year age bracket are expected to shell out the most with a £522 spend, and shoppers in Scotland will have the highest average…
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6 December
Clas Ohlson to close all UK stores axing 150 jobs
Home retailer, Clas Ohlson has announced it is to close all UK stores as it looks to focus on operations in Sweden and Denmark. The retailer has also closed four pilot stores in Germany after it found that “the operations will be unable to deliver on plan and therefore the…
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