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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May- 2018 -21 May
Human error could cost businesses £17.5m as GDPR looms
With the arrival of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) businesses who mishandle personal data will leave themselves open to a fine of up to £17.5m. Research by information management company EDM Group found that 76% of UK businesses say a large amount of mail and communications are incorrectly allocated due…
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21 May
Mothercare CEO takes £132k pay cut and rejoins
Mark Newton-Jones has been re-appointed as CEO of Mothercare on a salary of £480,000. The former CEO is being reinstated only a month after his resignation. David Wood, the former Tesco executive who had replaced Newton-Jones will now become Mothercare’s group managing director. A spokesperson for Mothercare told Retail Sector:…
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21 May
SME retailers see international payments double
Small and medium-sized retailers (SMEs) are responding to macroeconomic pressure in the UK by expanding internationally, according to a survey. WorldFirst’s latest Global Trade Barometer (GTB) quarterly survey from the currency exchange service company found that the average SME retailer made overseas transfers of £54,274 in Q1 2018 – nearly…
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18 May
34 Carluccio’s restaurants to close after it announces CVA
Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s has announced it is to close 34 restaurants as part of a recently announced company voluntary agreement (CVA). As many 103 UK sites are also set to “exit” as part of restructuring at the company. The CVA, yet to be approved by creditors will see the…
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18 May
Carpetright to issue shares to raise £60m fund ahead of CVA
Carpetright is to launch a proposed share issue in order to raise around £60m to help fund its restructure and recovery plans. The carpet retailer is planning to issue off 232,463,221 new ordinary shares by way of a placing and open offer at a price of 28 pence per new…
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18 May
Online retail jumps 19% in April
UK online retail sales went from strength to strength in April, up 18.8% year-on-year (YoY) according to the latest figures. The IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index showed it was the highest YoY increase since November 2016, despite the dampening effect of Easter falling in March this year. There was a…
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18 May
CMA shops around for comments on Sainsbury’s Asda merger
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the merger between Sainsbury’s and Asda, after inviting interested parties to comment on the deal as part of a ‘phase one’ inquiry. The CMA “invitation to comment” was released today as the start of an information gathering process before the formal investigation…
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17 May
House of Fraser landlord anger nullified by stock exchange rules
House of Fraser’s relations with a range of stakeholders worsened today after several landlords expressed anger at proposed rent reductions as part of an ongoing CVA plan. Landlords are said to be peeved by the request for rent reduction after fresh investment by Hamley’s owner C.banner. Several landlords told media…
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17 May
British Land submits plan for major retail development at Canada Water
Commercial property firm British Land has proposed a masterplan for a 1 million sq ft retail and leisure space at London’s Canada Water area. The submission of the planning application follows four years of close collaboration with Southwark Council and extensive consultation with the local community. Alongside the overall masterplan…
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17 May
Ocado signs deal with US supermarket Kroger
Online supermarket Ocado has signed a partnership agreement with US grocer Kroger which will see Ocado’s technology used exclusively by the American company for grocery and other food distribution related activities. The objective of the partnership is to allow Kroger to “redefine” the grocery customer experience in the US through…
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