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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Feb- 2025 -10 February
Ikea receives 3,730 job applications in five days for Oxford Street store
Ikea has received 3,730 applications in just five days for its new Oxford Street store which is set to open in Spring 2025. According to Ikea, the high level of interest in the 150 available positions marks the “largest-ever” response the home furnishing retailer has seen in the UK, “breaking…
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10 February
British retailers search for import solutions amid US tariff chaos
British retailers are looking for ways to navigate recent import changes in the US amid ongoing “chaos and uncertainty” over Trump’s new tariff regime, with some exploring a restructure of their US operations or suspending exports altogether.It comes as the president recently imposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese-made goods,…
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7 February
Aldi to create 500 apprenticeship roles in 2025
Aldi is looking to recruit over 500 new apprentices across the UK in 2025. The UK’s fourth-largest supermarket is welcoming applications for its apprenticeship scheme, with opportunities now live across stores and warehouse roles. At Aldi, store apprentices can earn £8.61 per hour, rising to £12.07. Inside the M25, store…
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7 February
John Lewis appoints Net-A-Porter MD as CCO
John Lewis has announced the appointment of Vikki Kavanagh as chief commercial officer to run the retailer’s commercial function. Kavanagh joins John Lewis from Yoox Net-A-Porter Group where she most recently served as managing director of both Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter. Before her MD positions, Kavanagh previously held senior buying…
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7 February
John Lewis commercial director departs after three years
John Lewis commercial director Kathleen Mitchell has left the business after joining the group three years ago. Before joining the retailer, Mitchell was managing and brand director at Accessorize for three years. She also held various senior roles at Stella & Dot and L’Oréal. In an announcement on LinkedIn, she…
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7 February
M&S recruits John Lyttle as clothing MD amid leadership reshuffle
M&S has announced that John Lyttle, the former CEO of Boohoo, will be joining as managing director of clothing, home and beauty on 3 March. The news comes as the retailer’s current MD of clothing, home and beauty, Richard Price, who has held the role since 2020, will be leaving…
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7 February
Watches of Switzerland ‘on track’ amid strong festive performance
Watches of Switzerland has announced it remains “on track” to hit its FY25 targets, as its Q3 performance was in line with its expectations, with “good trading” in the UK and US during the holiday period. For the 13 weeks to 26 January 2025, Watches of Switzerland has seen further…
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6 February
Today’s news in brief-6/2/25
Tesco is reportedly considering a takeover of over 100 Crown Post Office branches, potentially safeguarding them from closure as the state-owned Post Office reviews its directly managed network. Post Office chairman Nigel Railton informed MPs that Tesco expressed interest in acquiring the loss-making branches, part of a broader strategic review…
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6 February
Metrocentre sees 9.2% footfall increase in 2024
Metrocentre has announced a “record-breaking” year as it saw a 9.2% year-on-year footfall increase in 2024. During the year, the destination welcomed 15.8 million visitors, a 10% increase on 2023. Sales performance also surpassed the previous year by 5.3%, with F&B, sports fashion, and health and beauty experiencing the biggest…
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6 February
BoE cuts interest rates to 4.5%
The Bank of England (BoE) has voted to cut interest rates from 4.75% to 4.5%, the lowest level since June 2023, but warned that GDP growth has been “weaker than expected”. At its meeting this week, the bank’s monetary policy committee voted by a majority of 7–2 to reduce the…
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