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- 2025 -26 August
Business rates ‘double hit’ to cost English firms £2.5bn
Businesses the length and breadth of England are “staring down the barrel” of a £2.5bn hike in property taxes from April 2026, as inflation and a new government stealth tax will combine to drive up business rates bills, according to analysis by global tax firm Ryan. A nationwide revaluation of…
Read More » -
26 August
Royal Mail and DHL halt some US deliveries ahead of tariff changes
Royal Mail and DHL have suspended or restricted certain postal services to the United States ahead of new US customs rules that come into force on 29 August. The move follows an executive order by the US government that removes the current $800 (£594) “de minimis” threshold, under which most…
Read More » -
26 August
Shop price inflation hits 18-month high in first week of August
Shop price inflation increased to 0.9% year on year in the week ended 7 August, an 18-month high, according to data from the British Retail Consortium. This increase came against growth of 0.7% in July and was above the three-month average inflation of 0.6%, driven by price hikes across butter,…
Read More » -
26 August
M&S launches first resale service through Ebay
Marks and Spencer (M&S) has launched its first resale service for clothing, footwear and accessories on Ebay. The retailer said the partnership will allow customers to trade in M&S items they no longer wear, and create a new medium to shop for M&S items. Customers will be able to complete…
Read More » -
26 August
New Look owners appoint Rothschild to oversee sale process
New Look owners, Alcentra and Brait, have reportedly hired Rothschild to advise on a strategic review, which is expected to lead to a sale of the high street fashion chain next year, according to Sky News. It is understood that the appointment of the investment bank took place in recent…
Read More » -
22 August
Primark marks 50 years in Scotland with ‘Preemark’ rebrand
Primark is celebrating 50 years on Scottish high streets with a ‘Preemark’ rebrand, paying tribute to how many Scots pronounce the retailer’s name. The branding will feature in all 21 Scottish stores from 21 to 24 August, with full store takeovers in Hamilton, Edinburgh Princes Street and Glasgow Argyle Street.…
Read More » -
22 August
Co-op launches ‘tap to join’ memberships
Co-op has announced the introduction of ”tap to join” memberships on its new electronic shelf labels. The NFC technology utilised on the electronic shelf edge label directs the shopper to Co-op’s membership webpage via their own mobile phone where they can sign-up. Co-op confirmed earlier this year that it had…
Read More » -
22 August
Lidl signs EHRC pledge to strengthen sexual harassment protection
Lidl Great Britain has signed a legal agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) after an employment tribunal found it failed to take reasonable steps to stop the sexual harassment of a young female employee. The tribunal ruled that between 2019 and 2021, a Lidl GB employee was…
Read More » -
22 August
Retail bosses urge chancellor to cut industry tax burden in Budget
More than 60 retail leaders have written to the chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget, warning that rising costs are driving up prices and threatening jobs. Chief executives from companies including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Asda, Boots and Ikea signed the letter, which calls for a reduction in business rates for…
Read More » -
22 August
Asda launches second sustainability-linked finance scheme with Lloyds
Asda has launched a new sustainability-linked supply chain finance scheme in partnership with Lloyds Bank, aimed at incentivising environmental and social improvements across its supplier base. The scheme offers tiered access to preferential financing rates, with terms dependent on suppliers’ performance against a range of sustainability key performance indicators (KPIs).…
Read More »
