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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Nov- 2018 -26 November
Mike Ashley vows to pull 17 stores from Intu Properties
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has vowed to close all his stores located in Intu shopping centres following a rent row over four House of Fraser stores. The move will see Ashley shut 17 stores — a mix of Sports Direct, House of Fraser, Flannels, USC and Evans Cycles…
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26 November
Aldi shoppers report ‘fights’ over Kevin the Carrot toys
Aldi shoppers have reported witnessing “fights” and “scraps”over its Kevin the Carrot toys sold in support of Teenage Cancer Trust. The toys, which feature in the supermarket’s Christmas adverts, were available in a range of sizes from a small £3.99 version all the way up to a 100cm Kevin the…
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26 November
Missguided boss slammed by MPs for Parliamentary no-show
Nitin Passi, the CEO and founder of online retailer Missguided, has been criticised by MPs for refusing to appear in the Houses of Parliament as part of an investigation into fast fashion. In a letter to Passi, MP Mary Creagh chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, said she was “disappointed”…
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23 November
Amazon responds amid Black Friday warehouse protests
Amazon has responded to claims made by workers’ union GMB calling working conditions “inhumane” as “simply wrong”, as employees from some of its UK warehouses mounted protests this Black Friday. Hundreds of Amazon warehouse workers have protested at the online retail giant’s warehouses in Rugeley, Swansea, Peterborough, Milton Keynes…
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23 November
Chinese shopping sites pull Dolce and Gabbana goods amid ad backlash
Dolce and Gabbana products have been pulled from Chinese e-commerce as a result of its controversial ad campaign. The luxury fashion house posted an ad this week which shows a Chinese model struggling to eat pasta and pizza with chopsticks. The campaign was accused of promoting unflattering stereotypes. The situation…
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23 November
Rent-to-own market price cap proposed by FCA
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are consulting on introducing a price cap in the rent-to-own (RTO) market to address harm to vulnerable consumers from high prices. The proposed price cap on RTO products, which are rented by consumers and paid off gradually, would come into effect on 1 April 2019…
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23 November
Wyevale Garden Centres sells five sites
Wyevale Garden Centres has sold five more of its stores as it continues plans to cut back its retail portfolio as part of a turnaround plan. A Wyevale spokesperson told Retail Sector: “In accordance with TUPE regulations colleagues are now being consulted with on the transfer of their employment to…
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23 November
Amazon UK warehouse workers to protest across Black Friday
Hundreds of Amazon warehouse workers are expected to demonstrate at the online retail giant’s warehouses in Rugeley, Swansea, Peterborough, Milton Keynes and Warrington this Black Friday. GMB, the union for Amazon workers, helped organise the Black Friday protests across the UK in anger at what it calls “inhuman conditions” staff…
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22 November
Mothercare revenues down 13% in half-year results
Mothercare’s half year results for the 28 week period to 6 October 2018 saw revenues drop by 13% to £295m. Worldwide sales decreased by 9.8% to £566m, compared with £627m during the period last year, and group adjusted loss before taxation was reported to be £6.2m. In July, the British…
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22 November
Ikea’s ‘business transformation’ leaves 350 UK and Irish jobs at risk
DIY giant Ikea has announced that 350 jobs, out of the 12,100 UK and Ireland roles, may be made redundant during the next two years as part of its ‘business transformation’. Ikea’s owner, Ingka Group, said its transformation plan is “assessing all parts of the organisation” and is simplifying it…
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