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.
-
Aug- 2024 -16 August
Retail sales rebound in July as Euros give needed boost
Retail sales increased 0.5% in July after falling 0.9% in June, as retailers saw a welcome boost from Euro 2024 alongside summer discounts encouraging spending, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Non-food stores sales volumes, the total of department, clothing, household, and other non-food…
Read More » -
16 August
WHSmith rolls out café format amid food-to-go popularity
WHSmith has launched Smith’s Kitchen, a new own-brand café format that will offer dine-in and takeaway options, outside of travel locations. Smith’s Kitchen is the latest major food and drink launch this year, as WHSmith aims to expand its offering for customers and partners. According to the retailer, the new…
Read More » -
16 August
Victorian Plumbing to shutter Victoria Plum, 100 jobs at risk
Victorian Plumbing is set to close Victoria Plum, a rival firm it acquired only three months ago, in a move that puts around 100 jobs at risk.The group acquired the competitor in May for £22.5m. It acquired the entire issued share capital of AHK Designs Ltd, trading as Victoria Plum…
Read More » -
16 August
Lolë Brands acquires Sanuk
Lolë Brands, a global apparel company producing athleisure, active and outerwear, has acquired outdoor lifestyle footwear brand, Sanuk, previously a division of Deckers. The acquisition marks the second for Lolë in the past year as it expands its portfolio of “environmentally conscious” consumer brands. Founded in 1997 within the surfing,…
Read More » -
15 August
Today’s news in brief-15/8/24
The UK economy showed resilience with a 0.6% growth in the second quarter of 2024, despite a stagnant June where GDP showed no growth. The Office for National Statistics reported that this growth follows a 0.7% increase in the first quarter. The service sector played a crucial role, expanding by…
Read More » -
15 August
Aldi to retire click-and-collect service
Aldi has revealed it will be discontinuing its click-and-collect offering at the end of this week on 18 August. According to the group, the offering was a trial and had always been under review. By scrapping the service, Aldi said it will be able to focus on running its stores…
Read More » -
15 August
UK economy grows by 0.6% despite June flatline
The UK economy has grown by 0.6% between April and June, in part boosted by the service sector, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. The second quarter growth follows a GDP rise of 0.7% in the first quarter of the year. Despite this, GDP showed no…
Read More » -
15 August
Victoria’s Secret appoints Hillary Super as new CEO
Victoria’s Secret has appointed Hiillary Super as its new chief executive officer and a member of the board, effective 9 September 2024. Super succeeds Martin Waters in both roles. Timothy (TJ) Johnson, VS&Co’s chief financial and administrative officer, will serve as interim CEO effective today through 8 September 2024. Meanwhile,…
Read More » -
15 August
Amazon cleared for delivery drone trial
Amazon has been given permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to trial drones beyond a human controller’s line of sight in the UK, paving the way for delivery drones. Kirkwall airport in the Orkney islands will be one of the projects, testing how drones and other aircraft might operate…
Read More » -
14 August
Today’s news in brief-14/8/24
Inflation in the UK increased to 2.2% in July 2024, up from 2% the previous month, driven by less significant declines in energy prices compared to a year ago. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that while gas and electricity prices fell by 7.8% and 6.8% respectively from June…
Read More »
