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.
-
Mar- 2018 -28 March
DFS ‘confident’ despite halved profits
DFS has seen a fall in both its sales and pre-tax profits for the six months to 27 January amid “challenging market conditions”. The sofa and living room retailer said revenue before acquisitions was down by 3.5% to £366.5m and profits had decreased by 58.1% to £7m, where it was…
Read More » -
27 March
ASOS to host modern slavery event at House of Lords
ASOS is co-hosting an event at the House of Lords today (27 March) with Baroness Lola Young, co-chair All Party Parliamentary Group on Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion, to identify and address shared risks in the apparel sector. The 2.5-hour meeting, set to be attended by senior representatives from ASOS’…
Read More » -
27 March
Easter chocolate launches rise by 23%
There has been a 23% rise in Easter chocolate product launches between March 2017 and February 2018. According to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD), Brazil accounted for 11% of global Easter chocolate product launches in 2017. Germany is also host to plenty of Easter chocolate innovation, sharing second place…
Read More » -
27 March
Halfords CFO moves to Dixons Carphone
Dixons Carphone has appointed Jonny Mason to its board as group finance director after a year as interim CEO at Halfords. Mason’s early career included roles as CFO at Odeon and UCI Cinemas, finance director of Sainsbury’s supermarkets and finance roles at Shell and Hanson. Ian Livingston, chairman of Dixons…
Read More » -
27 March
H&M’s pre-tax profits plunge 61%
H&M’s pre-tax profits dropped by 61% the three-month period ending 28 February 2018 compared with the same period the previous year. The Swedish retailer’s profits fell by 1.26bn Swedish crowns (£108.24m), slightly short of the 1.29bn analysts expected. Shares fell by 5% in early trading, putting it at its lowest…
Read More » -
27 March
Select seeks CVA putting 2,000 jobs at risk
Genus UK, the parent company of fashion retailer Select, is seeking a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) that would allow it to slash rents in its 183 stores. While the group said it currently has no plans to close any stores, the CVA proposal includes an option for landlords to “take…
Read More » -
27 March
Over 80% of national retailers snub new Instagram tech
A new selling feature on photo-sharing social media app, Instagram, has been ignored by more than 80% of retailers in its first week, according to Cybertill. Instagram rolled out a new ‘Shopping’ feature to business accounts in the United Kingdom, as well as Germany France, Italy Brazil, Canada, Spain and…
Read More » -
26 March
Gucci owner Kering faces tax investigations
Swiss prosecutors have opened an investigation into luxury fashion giant Kerring over alleged tax evasion after a request for assistance from Italian authorities. According to reports, an Italian inquiry which began in November 2017 looked into whether profits Kerring made on Gucci sales in Italy had actually been declared in…
Read More » -
26 March
JD Sports Fashion to acquire US brand Finish Line
Fashion retailer JD Sports Fashion is set to acquire US retailer The Finish Line for $558m (£396m). Finish Line is one of the largest retailers of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories in the US and trades from 556 branded stores across 44 US states. It is also the exclusive retailer…
Read More » -
26 March
No-deal Brexit ‘could add £7.8bn’ to retail costs
New research launched from Retail Economics and Squire Patton Boggs shows that £7.8bn could be added to the cost of retail goods if the UK fails to agree a favourable trade deal with the EU before departure. The research features in the first edition of the UK Retail Brexit and…
Read More »
