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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Dec- 2023 -19 December
Superdry issues FY24 profit warning amid mild weather
Superdry has warned on profits for the 26-week period ended 28 October, attributing a 13% year-on-year drop in sales to “abnormally mild” weather. While the retailer expected wholesale to be down 41.1% year-on-year due to its decision to exit its US wholesale operation, it was also driven by “timing differences…
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19 December
Revolution Beauty appoints North American chief
Revolution Beauty has announced the appointment of Erin Cast as president of North America. Based in New York, she will build upon the group’s foundations in the US and Canadian markets. Cast brings over 25 years of experience across sales, marketing, general management and board roles in beauty, food &…
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19 December
Farfetch acquired by Coupang in $500m rescue deal
South Korean ecommerce group Coupang has agreed to acquire Farfetch, which had been seeking a rescue deal in recent weeks, The Financial Times has reported. The rescue deal, which also involves Greenoaks Capital Partners, will see Farfetch receive a $500m (£394m) bridge loan to help it continue operating. Coupang negotiated…
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19 December
Asda opens 81 Express stores ahead of Christmas
Asda has opened a record 81 new Asda Express stores in December in a bid to bring Asda value to even more communities ahead of Christmas. The conversions of its recent acquisition of Co-op and EG UK sites, alongside the opening of eight standalone Asda Express stores, brings the total…
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18 December
Aldi creates national real estate team amid growth plans
Aldi has created a new national real estate team as it looks to deliver its plan to open 500 new UK stores. The UK’s fourth-largest supermarket recently announced a long-term plan to operate 1,500 UK stores – and the distribution network to service them – to meet growing demand from…
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18 December
Today’s news in brief-18/12/23
Farfetch is reportedly in advanced talks with a private equity-backed buyer for a last-minute rescue deal. The deal, if successful, would involve taking Farfetch off the stock market in a take-private transaction and would result in the company receiving $500m (£394m) in emergency funding. Talks are ongoing, and while Farfetch…
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18 December
Lush expects to invest almost £11m in stores ahead of New Year
Lush has committed to a projected spend of £10.6m in its UK portfolio of shops ahead of the New Year to expand the number of locations, enable relocations and make improvements. This investment by the retailer marks an £8m increase on the company’s announced investment in FY23 for the UK.…
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18 December
Farfetch seeks last-minute rescue deal
Farfetch is reportedly looking to secure a last-minute rescue deal with a private equity-backed buyer, according to The Sunday Times. Whilst the buyer’s identity is unclear, The Times reported that advanced talks are in place over a deal to take the online retailer off the stock market in a take-private…
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18 December
Boots to launch AI ‘personal shopper’
Boots has plans to launch a ChatGPT ‘personal shopper’ tool for its website with the aim of boosting online sales, The Telegraph has reported. The news comes as the beauty and pharmacy retailer is reportedly testing an AI chatbot, which will be able to make recommendations for lipsticks and beauty…
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18 December
Frasers Group in talks to acquire Matchesfashion
Frasers Group is reportedly in talks to acquire Matchesfashion, which sells fashion brands including Balenciaga, Gucci and Valentino, according to reports from Sky News. The company is said to be in detailed negotiations about a deal that could see it take control of the brand within days. City sources told…
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