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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Aug- 2018 -31 August
Homebase ‘very likely’ to enter administration if CVA isn’t passed
The future of Homebase is to be decided today as creditors vote on a CVA which would see the closure of 42 stores. Hilco Capital, the DIY retailer’s owner said that the company was “very likely” to enter administration if the CVA is not passed. Some Homebase landlords plan to…
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31 August
Coca-Cola to acquire Costa Coffee from Whitbread for £3.9bn
Coca-Cola is to buy the coffee chain Costa from Whitbread in a £3.9bn deal. Whitbread, which acquired the brand in 1995 for £19m when it had only 39 outlets, had intended to spin off the chain as a separate business but the transaction was “unanimously agreed” by the Whitbread board…
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31 August
10p plastic bag charge to be rolled out to all retailers
The 5p plastic bag charge will be doubled to 10p and extended to all retailers and not just big businesses, prime minister Theresa May has announced. The proposal will be subject to consultation later this year, to help fight global plastic pollution. The 5p plastic bag charge was introduced in…
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30 August
Hot September could cost retailers £320m in sales
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said a hot September could cost retailers £320m in sales, with non-food retailers losing £80m per week. Based on Met Office figures, the new BRC research found a “clear relationship” between weather and retail sales. The report says that weather influences sales most between…
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30 August
Government to consult on the ban of energy drink sales to children
The government is seeking views from the public on ending the sale of energy drinks to children and young people in England, the prime minister has announced. The consultation proposes that a ban would apply to drinks that contain more than 150mg of caffeine per litre and prevent all retailers…
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30 August
WHSmith reveals strong Q4 performance for travel branch
High street newsagent WHSmith has reported strong sales across its travel business branch in its Q4 results. The group said its new store opening programme both in the UK and internationally is “in line with [expected] plans”, and has already opened eight stores in Madrid Terminal 4 in mid August…
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30 August
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield posts 14.5% profit rise after Westfield acquisition
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has reported a 14.5% jump in H1 profits boosted by its recently acquired Westfield shopping centres. Europe’s largest property firm finalised the acquisition of Australian shopping mall giant Westfield in early June which includes both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford in the UK. The firm said profits in the…
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29 August
Bailiffs visited more than 200 firms daily over unpaid business rates
In the first year after the new business rates revaluation came into effect, councils sent bailiffs to more than 200 commercial properties everyday for unpaid rates. An investigation by real estate advisor Altus Group revealed that during 2017/18, over 81,000 business premises liable for rates were referred to bailiffs to…
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29 August
YNAP to launch first own-brand footwear collection
Yoox-Net-A-Porter Group (YNAP) has announced that its own-brand label for mens fashion, Mr P., which will launch this September alongside the brand’s first foray into footwear and accessories. YNAP said the Mr P.’s footwear line will provide a range of designs that form the “building blocks of every man’s…
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29 August
Shop price deflation comes to an end in August
Shop prices entered inflationary territory in August for the first time in over five years, with prices increasing by 0.1% compared with the 0.3% decrease in July. Non-food deflation continued to ease in August to 1% from 1.4% in July, the lowest rate of deflation since April 2013, and food…
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