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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Mar- 2024 -4 March
Today’s news in brief-4/1/24
M&S emerged victorious against Michael Gove’s decision to block its redevelopment plans for its Marble Arch flagship branch. The High Court ruled that Gove’s decision was “unlawful” and had misinterpreted planning policy. This decision paves the way for M&S to proceed with its plans, which include demolishing the existing Art…
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4 March
White Stuff and Sisters and Seekers open at Liverpool One
Liverpool One has announced the signings of two new retail additions, White Stuff and Sisters and Seekers, as the destination continues to be the location of choice for many retailers. British lifestyle brand, White Stuff, has officially launched its regional flagship store on Liverpool One’s Peter’s Lane. The new 1,800…
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4 March
Footasylum chair and CEO Barry Bown to step down
Footasylum has announced that its executive chairman and CEO, Barry Bown, will be stepping down from his role to take up a consultancy role at the fashion streetwear retailer’s owner, Aurelius Group. Bown first joined Footasylum in 2018, having spent over 30 years at JD Sports, 14 years of which…
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4 March
Gymshark appoints new chief digital officer
Gymshark has recently announced the appointment of Carly Natalizia to the newly created role of chief digital officer. In her new role, she will bring Gymshark’s entire digital customer journey into one place across digital marketing and digital experience. She will be responsible for scrutinising and optimising the digital journey…
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4 March
M&S CEO calls for business rates and apprenticeship levy reform
M&S CEO Stuart Machin has publicly called for Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to introduce reforms to business rates and the apprenticeship levy in his upcoming budget. In a post on LinkedIn, Machin stated that the government must do more to understand the importance of retail. He has urged the chancellor to…
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4 March
M&S wins Marble Arch legal battle
The High Court has ruled in favour of M&S’ redevelopment plans of its Marble Arch flagship branch, having called Michael Gove’s decision to block the plan “unlawful”. News of the outcome follows the retailer’s launched planning appeal last month. It comes after the secretary of state’s decision to reject plans…
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4 March
Retail records fifth consecutive month of negative sales, BDO finds
Total in-store and online sales have dropped -1.3% in February, marking the fifth consecutive month of negative sales results, according to new data from BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker. BDO’s data, which looks at sales across discretionary spend categories, showed that despite online sales growing by +2.9% compared with last…
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4 March
Frasers rescues Wiggle from administration
Frasers Group has acquired online bicycle retailer Wiggle out of administration, The Sunday Times has reported. Frasers reportedly agreed a deal to purchase the brand and intellectual property of both Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles, another online bike store. The Times said it was understood that the Sports Direct owner…
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1 March
Half of UK retail businesses losing customers due to poor delivery experience
Half of retail businesses in the UK are losing customers due to a poor delivery experience according to data from sustainable delivery company, Zedify. The data, based on 250 respondents from retailers with a minimum revenue of £10.5m in the UK, also reveals that 45% are finding it hard to…
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1 March
The O2 delivers ‘strongest start’ of the year with 25% sales increase
The Entertainment District and Outlet Shopping at The O2 have experienced their “strongest start” to a trading year with a 25% increase in sales compared to 2023. The O2 has welcomed over 1.5 million visitors from 1 January to 25 February, marking a 46% increase compared to the same period…
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