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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Mar- 2018 -8 March
Co-op launches ‘pay in aisle’ mobile app technology
The Co-op has launched a new mobile app that allows customers to pay for their groceries in the aisle and avoid going to the till altogether. The ‘shop, scan and go’ initiative is being trialled at a Co-op’s store in the group’s support centre in Manchester, with a wider roll-out…
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8 March
Owner of John Lewis and Waitrose reports 77% drop in annual profits
The John Lewis Partnership has announced a 77% drop in annual profits and has cut the annual bonus given to staff. Pre-tax profit for the year to 27 January fell to £103.9m while the employee-owned partnership’s bonus scheme fell to 5% of salary – down from 6% for 2017/18 and…
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8 March
Violent crime against retail staff doubles
There has been a ‘concerning spike’ in the number of violent incidents against retail staff, according to a survey by British Retail Consortium (BRC). The trade body’s Retail Crime Survey found the rate of incidents of violence with injury has doubled since the previous year to six per 1,000 members…
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8 March
Mother’s Day spending to reach £600m
Brits are set to spend £600 million on Mother’s Day this year, an increase of 3.4% from 2017, according to new research. Mintel research found that extra spending could be attributed to advertising making most mothers pressured to be perfect. Three-quarters (73%) of mothers agree that adverts make parenting look…
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7 March
Business in the Community launches ‘healthier workplace’ toolkit
Business in the Community (BITC), in association with Public Health England (PHE), has launched a new physical activity, healthy eating and healthier weight toolkit for employers. According to BITC one in four women and one in five men in England are defined as inactive, doing less than 30 minutes of…
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7 March
New Look announces CVA proposal, 980 staff at risk
Clothing chain New Look has announced company voluntary agreement (CVA) proposal that will look to close up to 60 stores, reduce rental costs and potentially make up to 980 staff members redundant. Under the proposal, the fashion retailer has identified 60 out of its total 593 stores in the UK…
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7 March
2018 Groceries Code Adjudicator annual sector survey opens
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) Christine Tacon has launched her fifth annual survey of the groceries sector. The annual survey allows the GCA to collect a comprehensive set of views on current code-related issues facing suppliers. The GCA is seeking experiences and views from suppliers and others in the sector…
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7 March
John Lewis named as ‘best retailer to work for’
Department store chain John Lewis has been named as best UK retailer to work for, according to a list released today by job website Indeed. In the list of best places to work in the private sector, it topped the list based on 1,066 reviews. Cosmetics retailer Lush came second,…
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7 March
Shop Direct appoints Henry Birch as new CEO
Shop Direct, which operates digital department stores Very.co.uk, Littlewoods.com and VeryExclusive.co.uk, has appointed Henry Birch as its CEO. Birch will join Shop Direct later this year as he is currently chief executive officer of the FTSE 250-listed Rank Group, which owns and operates Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo alongside several…
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7 March
Debenhams to rent flagship store space to hot-deskers
Debenhams is reportedly looking for a way to make use of its flagship store’s excess space by renting it to a working space company. The retailer is said to be in the early stage talks with hot-desking firm WeWork. The news comes after Debenhams chief executive Sergio Bucher announced plans…
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