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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Feb- 2025 -12 February
JD Group appoints new CEO to Outdoor business
JD Group has appointed Dominic Jordan as the new CEO of JD Outdoor as Lee Bagnall steps down from the role. Jordan joins the group from Hobbycraft, where he held the role of CEO from 2017 to 2024. Prior to that, he was retail and property director from 2012 to…
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11 February
Today’s news in brief-11/2/25
Fast fashion giant Shein has scrapped plans to open a UK warehouse in the Midlands, initially intended to support its anticipated £50bn London Stock Exchange listing. The company had explored sites in Derby, Coventry, and other locations but confirmed no immediate need for a UK facility. The decision follows mounting…
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11 February
Kate Spade to open new store at The O2
Lifestyle brand Kate Spade New York will open a new 2,408 sq ft store at the Outlet Shopping at The O2 this Spring. Located on the outlet’s upper level, the store will mark the brand’s London outlet debut while being inspired by elements of both uptown and downtown New York,…
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11 February
River Island chair to step down as Ben Lewis rejoins as CEO
The chair of River Island, Richard Bradbury, is stepping down from his role with immediate effect due to personal reasons, whilst Ben Lewis is set to rejoin the group as CEO. Bradbury rejoined the group in December 2022 as executive chair, having previously left the business in 2010. Lewis, whose uncle…
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11 February
Retail sales increase 2.6% despite ‘stormy’ January
UK total retail sales increased by 2.6% year-on-year in January, against a growth of 1.2% in January 2024, as consumer sentiment remained resilient despite stormy weather, according to the latest figures from the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. This growth was above the three-month average growth of 1.1% and above the…
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11 February
Shein abandons UK warehouse opening amid London listing uncertainty
Fast fashion group Shein has reportedly abandoned plans to open a warehouse in the Midlands, according to The Telegraph, as its plans for a London IPO continues to face difficulties from the EU and the US. The search for a UK warehouse was thought to started as a way for…
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11 February
Dunelm CEO to retire amid strong H1 trading
Dunelm CEO Nick Wilkinson is set to retire from his position following seven years in the role as Dunelm announced strong trading for the first half of the year. The company saw its total sales rise 2.4% to £893.7m, up from £872.5m in the same period last year, during the…
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11 February
Amazon to offer 1,000 new UK apprenticeships
Amazon has announced that it is to offer more than 1,000 new apprenticeships in the UK in 2025. The Amazon apprenticeship programme will offer a wide range of opportunities across the country in Amazon businesses including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Prime Video, and Amazon Devices and Services. Recruitment is now…
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10 February
Aesop opens new store in Victoria Leeds
Luxury skincare brand Aesop has opened a new shop in Victoria Leeds, marking the brand’s first store opening in 2025 and debut in the North of England. Aesop has joined Victoria Leeds’ premium tenant mix with a 753 sq ft unit alongside fellow best-in-class beauty brands, Le Labo, L’Occitane, and…
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10 February
UK retailers still facing ‘mountain of costs’, M&S CEO warns
M&S CEO Stuart Machin has warned that UK retailers are still facing a mountain of costs despite Rachel Reeve’s push for growth. Writing in the Sunday Times, Machin said that the government should lighten “the burden” the budget has loaded on the retail sector, claiming that the industry is being…
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