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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Sep- 2018 -24 September
Co-op replaces single-use plastic bags in 1400 stores
The Co-op has announced it will replace single-use plastic bags with a biodegradable alternative across 1,400 of its stores. The new compostable carrier bags can be used to carry shopping home and then be re-used as food waste caddy liners, it will initially be rolled out in towns, cities and…
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24 September
B&M fined record £480,000 for selling knives to children
Discount retailer B&M Bargains has been fined a record amount of £480,000 after two of its stores were found selling knives to children. The company was found to be selling the knives during an undercover investigation conducted by police and trading standard officers in east London. The retailer was said…
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24 September
60% of British people believe the high street will ‘eventually disappear’
New research has found that 60% of British people believe that the high street will “eventually disappear”. The research by Close Brothers Asset Finance also found that 85% of people feel the high street is in decline, with 70% adding that councils and the government are not giving “enough support”.…
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21 September
Dominic Chappell loses appeal against BHS conviction
Dominic Chappell, the former director and majority shareholder of the company that bought BHS, has lost his appeal against his conviction and sentence for failing to hand over information to The Pensions Regulator (TPR). In January, Chappell was convicted at Brighton Magistrates’ Court by District Judge William Ashworth of three…
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21 September
Strong retail sales growth in August helps strengthen British pound
Retail sales growth of 0.3% across all sectors in August, excluding food, clothing and petrol, saw the value of the British pound increase 0.7% against the dollar at $1.32. According to figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the lower month-on-month growth rate in the quantity bought in food…
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21 September
House of Fraser decline leads to French Connection store closures
French Connection has announced it will be shuttering more of its stores following the closure of two under-performing branches in the last six months. The fashion retailer blamed the decline of House of Fraser and poor high street footfall on the fresh closures, and lost £15m in the six months…
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21 September
Walgreens Boots Alliance launches flagship store on Alibaba’s Tmall Global platform
Walgreens Boots Alliance and Alibaba Group Holding have announced the launch of a Boots flagship store on Tmall Global, Alibaba’s B2C platform for international brands and retailers. The deal will introduce a number of Boots beauty brands to more than half a billion consumers on Alibaba’s platforms in China. The…
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21 September
Moss Bros’ revenue drops as hot weather and World Cup ‘distraction’ affects sales
Menswear retailer Moss Bros has reported a drop in revenue and sales in its half year financial results, covering the period from 28 January 2018 to 28 July 2018. The retailer’s total group revenue, excluding VAT, was down by 3.3% and fell to to £64.5m compared with the previous year.…
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20 September
Cath Kidston clarifies store review reports
Cath Kidston has clarified reports that it is to undergo a formal portfolio review and instead said that it is reviewing individual branches as leases come up for renewal. The fashion retailer, which has 65 stores across the UK, stressed it is looking to move stores where leases are coming…
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20 September
Poundland to open in 20 former Poundworld locations
Poundland is finalising plans to open stores in up to 20 large former Poundworld locations and has offered all former Poundworld staff to get in touch for “guaranteed interviews”. Initial openings in the first phase include Edinburgh (Cameron Toll), Killingworth (Tyne & Wear) and East Kilbride and Ayr in Scotland,…
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