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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Mar- 2018 -6 March
Morrisons and Tesco fastest growing, Co-op returns to growth
The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar Worldpanel, published today for the 12 weeks to 25 February 2018, show that grocery sales have increased in value by 3.2% compared to the same time last year. This marks the 12th consecutive 12-week period in a row that total market sales…
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6 March
Grocery purchases drive UK retail sales: BRC
Food sales continue to drive up sales in the retail sector, but non-food retailers suffered a fall in spending. Over three months to February in-store sales of non-food items declined by 2.4% on a total basis, and 3.3% on a like-for-like basis, according to figures released today by the British…
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5 March
Morrisons may face £100m equal pay claim
Supermarket chain Morrisons could be the next of the ‘big four’ grocers facing a potential equal pay compensation claim, for £100m. The claims primarily relate to the difference in pay between workers on supermarket shop floors and those in the associated distribution centres. Around 170 claimants are being represented by…
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5 March
Voice transactions through ‘smart speakers’ set to increase
Shopping through voice-activated devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home is set to become the next disruptive force in retail, according to new research. UK transactions through smart speakers with consumers using their voices as commands are currently worth £0.2bn, according to new research from OC&C Strategy Consultants. Almost…
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5 March
Retailers ‘want more apprenticeships’ to develop future workforce
New data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has suggested that retailers want to commit to more apprenticeships in the coming years. In a survey of UK retailers, 86% indicated they would increase the number of apprenticeships they offer in the next two years. In England, retailers are committed to…
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5 March
Serious Fraud Office seeks retrial of former Tesco employees
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has written to Southwark Crown Court seeking a retrial of former Tesco bosses Carl Rogberg, Christopher Bush and John Scouler, over an alleged £326m fraud scandal. The three former senior management figures in the Tesco UK business all face charges of abuse of position and…
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2 March
Royal Mail CEO leads celebration of women in business
More than 20 senior business women, including Royal Mail CEO Moya Greene, will take to the stage at Retail Week Live on International Women’s Day, celebrating the women in retail who have successfully ‘smashed’ through the glass ceiling. Moya Greene, CEO, Royal Mail, will present the opening keynote on International…
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2 March
New look seeks CVA to reduce rent by 60%
New Look has asked if its landlords can slash store rents by up to 60% in order to try and reduce its £1.2bn debt. The fashion chain is seeking a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), a legal agreement which would enable it to jettison loss-making stores and agree rent reductions with…
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2 March
UK gaming sales grew despite consumer spending struggles
UK gaming sales grew to a record £5.11bn last year, despite consumer spending decreasing, new figures show. Trade body UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie) stated that the market grew by 12.4% due to “world-class content for an ever-expanding eager audience”. Overall sales of games software increased by 8.3%, as it remains…
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1 March
Mother’s Day spending spree set to lift high street sales
Spending analysis from Liberis, a leading small business finance provider, has revealed that British shoppers are expected to shell out over £5bn in extra Mother’s Day spending compared to 2017. On average, Liberis predicts high street retailers’ card transactions will increase by 8% compared to a normal weekend. Florists are…
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