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.
-
Aug- 2022 -12 August
Primark appoints new chief customer officer
Primark has announced the appointment of Michelle McEttrick to the brand’s newly-created position of chief customer officer. McEttrick will reportedly take on the role as of 19 September with the remit to further develop the brand and customer strategy. The appointment comes as the business continues its expansion across new…
Read More » -
12 August
UK economy contracts 0.1% in second quarter
The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in the second quarter of the year (Apr to June) 2022, according to the latest estimate from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). On a monthly basis GDP is estimated to have fallen by 0.6% in June 2022, following an increase of 0.4% in…
Read More » -
12 August
Frasers Group offloads retail parks for £205m
Frasers Group has announced it has completed the sale of a number of retail parks for a headline price of £205m. The group completed the disposal of a number of freehold and long leasehold retail parks held by its owned subsidiaries, to RI UK 1 Limited. Frasers Group intends to…
Read More » -
12 August
Superdrug and Savers to provide 25,000 UK jobs
A.S. Watson Group, the owner of Superdrug and Savers, has announced its commitment to create 200,000 job opportunities for 16-23 year olds globally, and of which 25,000 jobs will be provided across both retailers in the UK by 2030. The group will equip the young starters with “essential” skills to…
Read More » -
12 August
John Lewis to retire ‘never knowingly undersold’ pledge
John Lewis has announced that it is set to reveal a new company slogan on 22 August, retiring its 97-year-old price pledge of “never knowingly undersold”. The retailer first revealed the pledge was under review in March 2020, a month after Sharon White joined as chair. The Guardian reported that…
Read More » -
12 August
Topshop founder Sir Ralph Halpbern dies aged 83
Sir Ralph Halpern, the founder of Topshop who was described as a driving force behind British retail in the 1970s and 1980s, has died at the age of 83. Halpern began his career as a trainee at Selfridges, and would later go on to become “one of the most high-profile…
Read More » -
11 August
Halfords cuts prices to help ease the rising cost of motoring
Halfords has announced it has launched new initiatives, including cutting its prices across all of its motoring products, in a bid to to help UK consumers with the rising cost of motoring. Halford said it comes as its own research found that one in six drivers are “trying to spend…
Read More » -
11 August
Rishi Sunak commits to reducing business rates if elected PM
Rishi Sunak has vowed to slash business rates this autumn during the Conservative leadership debate at the Darlington Hippodrome theatre. The former chancellor committed to extending the current 50% reduction in his first budget as prime minister, saying that small retailers are the “beating hearts of all our communities”. Sunak…
Read More » -
11 August
Mattress Online to open first fully branded site in Sheffield
Mattress Online is set to open its first fully branded store as part of its plans to expand into bricks and mortar trading. Having acquired the Skipton Bed and Sofa Centre earlier this year, the group has now added the site of Sheffield bed outlet, Eades and Co, to its…
Read More » -
11 August
Marks Electrical Group revenues up 13.7% to £27m
Marks Electrical Group has reported a strong trading period in the first four months of FY23, with revenue growth of 13.7% to £27.7m. The company said the performance was delivered despite a “challenging market backdrop”. It’s performance was driven across all categories but particularly in televisions, vacuum cleaners, washers and…
Read More »
