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.
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Jul- 2024 -24 July
NI retail staff and employers call for shop worker protection
Usdaw and employers’ organisation Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) have jointly called for urgent action to protect retail workers from violence and abuse, amid a recent “epidemic” in retail crime. The call comes as recently recorded crime statistics from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) show that shoplifting had more…
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24 July
Tapi confirms Carpetright store closure locations
The full list of 218 Carpetright stores set to close following the company’s acquisition by Tapi has been confirmed. Tapi has acquired the company’s IP as well as two warehouses and 54 of its stores saving 308 jobs. However, the details of the deal mean that 1,018 jobs across the…
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24 July
Hot weather and Euros help boost grocery sales
Total Till sales at UK supermarkets improved +3.6% in the last four weeks ending 13 July 2024, up from 1.1% in the previous month, as the arrival of hot summer weather and the Euros helped boost performance, according to new data released today by NIQ. Promotions also helped to drive…
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24 July
Iceland boss calls for review of supermarkets’ restrictive covenant ban
Iceland managing director Richard Walker has urged the new Labour government to review the ban for supermarkets to use restrictive covenants in property deals. In a LinkedIn post, Walker claimed that “legal tricks” have been used in the past by German-owned supermarkets Aldi and Lidl to prevent competition on retail…
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24 July
Mango names new external communications director
Fashion retailer Mango has announced the appointment of Doris Cesares as its new director of external communications, institutional relations and public affairs, effective 2 September. Cesares, who will be reporting directly to CEO Toni Ruiz, will join from Iberostar Group with more than 20 years of experience in building and…
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23 July
Today’s news in brief-23/7/24
Tapi Carpets and Floors Limited has acquired the Carpetright brand and 54 stores following its collapse into administration. While over 300 jobs were saved, more than 1,500 employees face redundancy due to the challenging retail climate and recent cyber attack woes. Ikea plans to open 100 additional click-and-collect points at…
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23 July
Matalan adds over 25 new brands to online offering
Matalan has added over 25 new third-party brands as part of its efforts to improve the choice quality products on offer. Over the next few months, customers will see a host of new brands available on the Matalan website across all core categories. This includes womenswear options from fashion-forward brands…
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23 July
Retail welcomes apprenticeship levy reform
Retailers such as AO and Co-Op as well as the British Retail Consortium have welcomed government plans for a new growth and skills levy. Keir Starmer announced yesterday (22nd July) that his government would introduce a new levy to replace the much-maligned apprenticeship levy. John Roberts, AO founder and CEO,…
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23 July
Superdrug boss urges govt to reform business rates
Superdrug CEO Peter Macnab has called on the new Labour government to reform business rates in an interview with This is Money, after the King’s Speech last week (17 July) omitted the subject. Macnab, who believes change is essential for the creation of “vibrant” shopping hubs throughout the country, said…
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23 July
Ikea partners with Tesco to open 100 more click-and-collect points
Ikea has announced that it is planning to open 100 more click-and-collect points at Tesco stores across the UK to create a more accessible shopping experience. The news comes as the retailer opened its 100th mobile pick-up point, following a successful nationwide roll-out. The service is free of charge for…
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