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.
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Jan- 2024 -19 January
Pepco Q1 revenues hit €1.9bn as it warns on Red Sea disruption
The Pepco Group has posted record Q1 revenues of €1.9bn (£1.63bn) up 10.8% and boosted by new openings. It comes despite group like-for-like (LFL) revenues declined 2.3% in Q1, but with an improving trend during the quarter. Pepco LFL revenue declined 3.7% against a tough comparative period where LFL sales…
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19 January
Birkenstock revenues rise to €1.49bn
Birkenstock has reported a 20% increase in revenues to €1.49bn (£1.28bn) for the year to 30 September 2023, boosted by European sales which increased 18%. Its EBITDA also rose 11% to €483m (£414m) and also recorded an adjusted EBITDA margin of over 30%. However it expects a modest headwind to…
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19 January
M&S to invest £30m in Scottish stores
M&S has unveiled plans to invest £30m in bricks and mortar stores across Scotland. The retailer’s investment will deliver more than five new store openings and expansions over the next 18 months. These plans include a £15m investment in M&S Aberdeen Union Square which will almost double in size and…
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19 January
DFS downgrades sales guidance for FY24
DFS has downgraded its sales guidance for the year, after reporting that gross sales dropped 5.6% year-on-year during the 26 weeks ended 24 December 2023. The sofa retailer has attributed its muted performance to “the record hot weather in September and early October when footfall and demand proved to be…
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19 January
Wickes to provide flexible hours for store management roles
Following a six month pilot across 14 stores, Wickes is set to make all store management roles open to flexible working. It comes as the retailer partnered with Timewise to undertake research on the roles of store managers, operations managers and duty managers to understand the barriers to “design, trial…
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19 January
Retail sales drop 3.2% in December, ONS says
Retail sales volumes are estimated to have fallen by 3.2% in December 2023, from a rise of 1.4% in November 2023, the ONS has revealed. December’s decrease was the largest monthly fall since January 2021, when Covid-19 restrictions affected sales. Looking at the quarterly picture, sales volumes fell by 0.9%…
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18 January
Today’s news in brief-18/1/24
Sainsbury’s general merchandise commercial director, Paula Nickolds, is departing to become CEO of The White Company. During her three-year tenure, she strengthened brands like Argos, Habitat, and Tu. Sainsbury’s also announced a focused restructuring of its Operating Board. Graham Biggart will assume commercial responsibility for General Merchandise and Clothing, with…
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18 January
Rituals to open in Caledonia Park
Beauty and wellbeing brand Rituals will be joining an array of companies opening a new store in the Caledonia Park Designer Outlet on 18 January. To celebrate, Rituals will be hosting a launch event taking place on Saturday 20 January 2024 for their consumers. Maria Averkina, asset and development manager…
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18 January
Paula Nickolds to leave Sainsbury’s to become CEO of The White Company
Sainsbury’s has revealed its General Merchandise Commercial director, Paula Nickolds, is set to leave the business to become CEO of The White Company. Over the past three years, Sainsbury’s said Nickolds has led much progress across its ‘Brands that Deliver’ strategy, making Argos, Habitat and Tu “considerably stronger” and more…
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18 January
N Brown Q3 revenues drop 9.3% but guidance remains unchanged
N Brown has revealed that its group revenue dropped 9.3% to £226m for the 18 weeks ended 6 January 2024 compared with the same period last year. Despite this the company reiterated that its full year adjusted EBITDA remained unchanged. However, the 9.3% drop continues a trend of revival for…
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