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 -24 July
IKEA opens first new small-format store in Harlow as part of UK expansion
IKEA has opened a new small-format store in Harlow, Essex, the first of three such sites due this year, just over 100 days after acquiring the lease. The new store, which opened on 24 July, is located in a retail park and designed to offer a quicker and more accessible…
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24 July
River Island at risk of collapse without creditor support
River Island is reportedly at risk of collapse within weeks unless landlords and creditors approve a major rescue plan, according to the Telegraph. The retailer has proposed a restructuring strategy that includes closing 33 stores, reducing rents on 71 more, and writing off debts to avoid a cash crisis. If…
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24 July
Wickes hits record market share as H1 sales rise 5.6%
Wickes has “gone from strength to strength” in the first half of the year, with sales up by 5.6% year-on-year to £847.9m, as the group also hit a “record” market share. Over the period, volume-led growth momentum was reported across all areas of the business, and retail sales rose by…
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24 July
Byredo debuts first standalone store outside London in Leeds
Luxury brand Byredo has opened its first standalone store outside London at Victoria Leeds, marking the latest high-end retail addition to the city centre shopping destination. The new 2,154 sq ft unit is located in Victoria Quarter and serves as Byredo’s northern flagship. It features two distinct areas: a main…
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24 July
Consumer confidence dips in July as inflation bites
Consumer confidence dipped in July as inflation and economic contraction weighed on household sentiment, new figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) show. According to the BRC-Opinium Consumer Sentiment Monitor, expectations for the UK economy over the next three months fell to -33, down from -28 in June. Forecasts for…
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23 July
Portmeirion H1 sales rise 1.3% to £37.1m despite US tariffs
Homeware retailer Portmeirion Group has reported a sales rise of 1.3% to £37.1m in the six months to 30 June, thanks to a rebound in South Korea and strong international demand despite disruption in the US, its largest market. The group, which operates brands Spode, Portmeirion, Royal Worcester, Nambé, Pimpernel…
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23 July
Topshop revives partnership with Cara Delevingne
Topshop has named model and actor Cara Delevingne as the face of its new Autumn/Winter 2025 campaign, 10 years after their first campaign together and marking the start of a wider brand relaunch. The partnership begins with a 30-piece capsule collection described as a reflection of Delevingne’s “London edge”, featuring…
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23 July
Supermarket sales jump 5.8% amid summer heatwave
Total Till sales at UK supermarkets rose 5.8% in the four weeks to 12 July 2025, up from 3.8% in June, according to data released by NielsenIQ (NIQ). The rise coincided with three heatwaves and the hottest week of the year, as well as major sporting events including Wimbledon and…
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23 July
Over 100 Al Fayed abuse victims apply for compensation
More than 100 abuse victims of Mohamed Al Fayed have entered a compensation scheme opened by Harrods earlier this year, following his alleged sexual abuse of hundreds of women. The department store confirmed it began issuing compensation to victims at the end of April, and the scheme remains open for…
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23 July
Morrisons unveils improved terms for independent retailers
Morrisons has introduced improved terms for independent retailers as part of its efforts to expand its convenience business. The supermarket currently has around 1,700 Morrisons Daily stores across the UK, many operated by independent retailers. From July, franchise partners will be able to earn up to a 6% volume rebate,…
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