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.

Oct- 2025 -

23 October

Corina Duma

Usdaw welcomes 6.7% rise in real Living Wage

Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed a 6.7% increase in the real Living Wage, describing it as “a welcome boost for the lowest-paid workers”. It comes as the Living Wage Foundation announced yesterday (22 October) that the new rates will rise to £13.45 per hour across the UK and £14.80…
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22 October

Corina Duma

Footasylum signs lease renewal and expands Manchester flagship

Footasylum has renewed its lease at Manchester Arndale for a further 20 years and will expand the store into a 17,000 sq ft flagship unit. News comes as the trainers and apparel retailer is undertaking a full refit to create a larger space showcasing its full range of products and…
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22 October

Lewis Catchpole

Lidl sees PBT triple to £156.8m as sales rise

Lidl GB has seen its pre-tax profits more than triple to £156.8m, up from £43.6m the previous year, as strong sales growth and higher customer visits lifted performance across its stores. Revenue increased 7.9% to £11.7bn, with the discounter citing its efficiency model and strategic investment as key drivers. Operating…
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22 October

Liam J Moran

Halfords half year LFL sales jump 4.1%

Halfords has revealed that its like-for-like group sales rose 4.1% for the half year ended 26 September 2025. Alongside this, the company saw its retail sales grow 4% LFL while its autocentres sales grew 4.3% LFL. As a result of this positive momentum the company revealed that its full year…
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22 October

Corina Duma

Virgin Wines FY profits dip 5% to £1.6m amid cost pressures

Virgin Wines UK has reported a 5% fall in profits before tax to £1.6m in the year ended 28 June, as cost pressures linked to government policy weighed on margins. According to the wine retailer, most of its cost increases stemmed from a rise in alcohol duty and a new…
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22 October

Heather Sandlin

Inflation holds steady at 3.8% in September

Inflation remained unchanged in September for the third month in a row, as the Consumer Price Index rose by 3.8%, with food prices easing over the period. The September, August and July 2025 figures have been the joint-highest recorded since January 2024, when the rate was 4.0%. Transport made the…
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21 October

Heather Sandlin

Aldi launches £10,000 Winter Fund to support local charities

Aldi is inviting shoppers to nominate local charities, community groups and food banks to receive a share of its £10,000 Winter Fund aimed at helping those most in need ahead of Christmas. A panel of Aldi representatives will review nominations and select organisations to receive cash donations to support their…
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21 October

Corina Duma

Laura James appoints new CEO

Homeware and interiors brand Laura James has announced the appointment of Matthew Talbot as its new chief executive officer. Talbot, who previously served as chief operating officer for four and a half years, has overseen a period in which the business more than doubled in size, with increased profitability and…
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21 October

Corina Duma

M&S chief urges chancellor to reconsider tax policy ahead of Budget

Marks and Spencer chief executive Stuart Machin has urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to “change course” on economic policy ahead of next month’s Budget, warning that persistent tax rises risk trapping the UK in a “doom loop” of weak growth. Writing in The Times, Machin described the government’s fiscal approach as…
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21 October

Liam J Moran

Asda to open nine new Express stores in one week

Asda has announced that it is set to open nine new Express stores this week (20 October), including seven in London. The company will open stores in Tower Bridge, Greenwich, Limehouse Station, Harringay, Deptford, Whetstone and the former Arsenal FC club shop at Finsbury Park station. Outside the capital, two…
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