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.
-
Oct- 2024 -21 October
WHSmith stores to sell vinyl records for first time in 30 years
WHSmith has revealed it is to start selling vinyl records in 80 of its high street stores across the UK in response to growing customer demand. Stores including Canterbury, Chester, Edinburgh Gyle and York will stock a selection of chart hits and classic albums on vinyl, from Taylor Swift to…
Read More » -
21 October
Bruno Cucinelli revenues hit €920m
Bruno Cucinelli has revealed that its revenues have hit €920.2m (£767m) for the nine months ended 30 September 2024, an increase of 12.4% compared with the same period last year. Alongside this, the company saw an increase of 17.6% in the Americas and an 8% increase in Europe paired with…
Read More » -
21 October
Retail Trust launches training to help shop staff combat rising abuse
The Retail Trust is set to launch free training for shop workers next month to help them combat an “expected rise” in abusive customer behaviour ahead of the busy festive period.It comes as new research from the charity found that one in three shop staff face weekly abuse from shoppers,…
Read More » -
21 October
Frasers backs N Brown takeover deal amid Mulberry plans
Frasers Group has confirmed that it backs the takeover deal of N Brown by the Alliance family and has agreed to the sale of its 20% stake in the company for £38m, as it continues its efforts to strike a deal with luxury brand Mulberry. Frasers Group, owner of Sports…
Read More » -
21 October
Hotter Shoes to increase UK production
Hotter Shoes’ new owner, WoolOvers, reportedly has plans to increase the number of products it makes within the UK to one million pairs of shoes a year, according to The Times. The news comes after WoolOvers acquired the footwear retailer out of administration for £6.7m a year earlier. Prior to…
Read More » -
18 October
Today’s news in brief-18/10/24
Boohoo’s CEO, John Lyttle, is stepping down after five years, as the company embarks on a strategic review and secures a £222m debt refinancing deal. The retailer’s new debt facility includes a £125m revolving credit line and a £97m term loan, aimed at supporting future development. The announcement follows a…
Read More » -
18 October
Sephora to open at Liverpool One in Spring 2025
Sephora UK is continuing to fuel its northern expansion with the announcement of its next store opening at Grosvenor’s city-centre retail and entertainment destination, Liverpool One. The new store location at Liverpool One is slated to open in Spring 2025 and will be the 8th store in Sephora UK’s growing…
Read More » -
18 October
Tech stores help retail sales beat expectations in September
Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.3% in September 2024, beating expectations thanks to strong demand in tech stores, according to the latest figures from the ONS. While the increase was lower than the 1.0% experienced in August, analysts had predicted a 0.3% decline for the month.…
Read More » -
18 October
Mothercare secures refinancing deal amid Asia expansion plans
Mothercare has agreed a deal that will see it refinance its existing debt facilities with investment firm Gordon Brothers, whilst forming a new joint venture with Reliance Brands UK that will see it expand into Asia. The company secured debt facilities of £8m – taken together with the gross consideration…
Read More » -
18 October
Hobbycraft profits plummet 80%
Hobbycraft has reported an 80% drop in profits to £393,000, down from £2m the previous year, for the 52 weeks ended 18 February 2024. The art and craft supplier attributed this loss to inflationary pressures and one-off costs that have impacted the retailer’s financial health despite their efforts to drive…
Read More »
