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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Dec- 2023 -20 December
Asda’s interest bill to exceed £400m
Asda is set to see its debt interest bill exceed £400m by early next year as a result of rising interest rates. The company’s chief financial officer Michael Gleeson told the Business and Trade Committee that its debt bill would rise by up to £30m by February. This is because…
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20 December
Lidl becomes first grocer to double paid maternity leave
Lidl GB will be introducing 28 weeks full pay for staff on maternity or adoption leave starting from 1 January 2024, making it the first supermarket to do so. The announcement is part of the retailer’s new employment benefits, which will also be introducing paid leave for those undergoing fertility…
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19 December
Today’s news in brief
South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang has reportedly reached an agreement to acquire Farfetch in a $500m rescue deal. The transaction involves a bridge loan to Farfetch and negotiations with a group of debtholders holding a significant portion of Farfetch’s term loan. The London-based luxury retailer is expected to undergo acquisition…
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19 December
Zalando launches invite-only shopping experience for hyped items
Zalando is introducing an exclusive shopping experience for hyped products – items with limited quantities, such as special editions, but high demand, that usually sell out within minutes. All customers can now request an invitation in the Zalando app to buy a hyped article, taking away the time pressure and…
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19 December
Whirli launches customer refund programme
Toy subscription service, Whirli, has launched a customer refund programme in a bid to “underline its commitment to customer satisfaction”. The news comes one year after the company relaunched under new family ownership. The newly-launched programme, which has been designed to provide credit for previously lost subscription fees, will invite…
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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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