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- 2025 -15 July
Spring heatwave drives B&M sales up 4% to £1.4bn
B&M saw its first quarter revenues rise 4.4% to £1.4bn for the 13 weeks ended 28 June 2025, following warmer weather in the Spring. B&M UK saw its like-for-like sales rise 1.3%, driven by a good performance in April from its general merchandise outdoor ranges assisted by drier weather and…
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15 July
Sosandar lowers FY26 guidance after M&S cyber attack
Sosandar has lowered its profit expectation for the current year, revealing that it now expects revenues to rise 18% to £43.6m with pre-tax profits of £400k, after a cyber attack at its second largest third-party partner M&S disrupted sales in the first quarter. The company previously expected £46.2m in revenues…
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15 July
Warm weather and promotions boost retail sales 3.1% in June
Total UK retail sales grew by 3.1% year-on-year in June, reversing a 0.2% decline in the same month last year, as the summer heatwave and promotions elevated performance, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. It comes as food sales rose 4.1% compared with a 1.8% increase in June…
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14 July
Lindt expands UK retail footprint with new Cotswolds outlet
Swiss chocolate maker Lindt and Sprüngli is set to open its latest UK store at the newly built Cotswolds Designer Outlet. The 1,318 sq ft site will feature a Lindt Chocolate Bar offering hot chocolate, milkshakes, coffee and Lindt Crema Gelata ice cream, as well as a Pick & Mix…
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14 July
Louis Vuitton confirms UK customer data stolen in cyber attack
Louis Vuitton has confirmed that data belonging to UK shoppers was stolen in a cyber attack on its systems earlier this month. The luxury fashion brand said an unauthorised third party accessed its UK operations on 2 July, taking names, purchase history and contact details of customers. However, the company…
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14 July
Primark appoints new chief customer and digital officer
Primark has announced the appointment of Matt Houston as its new chief customer and digital officer. He is set to replace outgoing CCO Michelle McEttrick who is leaving the firm after three years. In this new role, Houston will be accountable for the end-to-end customer brand, uniting Primark’s customer and…
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14 July
Reeves eyes business rates rise for supermarkets and department stores
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering increasing business rates for department stores and supermarkets as she looks to raise £1.7bn from businesses this autumn, according to The Telegraph. The outlet revealed that the chancellor is looking to plug the £5bn hole left after the government was forced to abandon cuts…
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14 July
Boots shareholders approve $10bn takeover
Walgreens Boots Alliance has revealed that its shareholders have “overwhelmingly” approved Sycamore Partner’s proposed $10bn (£7.4bn) takeover of the company. According to the preliminary results, approximately 96% of votes cast at the special meeting by all shareholders were voted in favor of the merger agreement proposal. In addition, approximately 95%…
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14 July
Claire’s drafts rescue plan as it faces UK store closures
Jewellery and accessories retailer Claire’s has reportedly brought in advisers to draw up a rescue plan amid fears it may be unable to repay a $480m (£355m) loan that is due in December 2026, according to The Telegraph. The company, which operates nearly 300 shops in the UK and more…
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11 July
Läderach opens first UK transport hub store at St Pancras
Swiss chocolatier Läderach has opened its first shop in a UK transport hub at London St Pancras International. The 550 sq ft boutique, which began trading on earlier this month, is the brand’s ninth London location and offers its full range of handcrafted chocolate, including its signature FrischSchoggi (fresh chocolate)…
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