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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Apr- 2025 -2 April
The Perfume Shop sales surge 56% in run-up to Mother’s Day
The Perfume Shop has seen its sales surge 56% in the week leading up to Mother’s Day 2025. The sales were driven by a 30% increase in classic perfumes sales, 3% in new and trending perfumes and 2% increase in gift sets compared to 2024. Promotional deals were also popular…
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1 April
Today’s news in brief-1/4/25
Retailers are bracing for a £5.56bn rise in costs following the implementation of recent Budget measures, including higher National Insurance contributions and an increased minimum wage. According to Retail Economics, these changes will force businesses to absorb £1.76bn in profit losses while passing £1.72bn onto consumers through price hikes. Chancellor…
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1 April
Supermarket sales jump 1.8% amid increased promotions
Take-home supermarket sales increased by 1.8% over the four weeks to 23 March 2025 compared with one year ago – the slowest rate since June last year, according to the latest data from Kantar. It comes as retailers’ price cuts were responsible for £2.6bn of promotional spending, 8.8% more than…
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1 April
Asda launches facial recognition trial in five stores
Asda has announced that it has begun trialling Live Facial Recognition in five of its stores in Greater Manchester. The supermarket is aiming to assess if this technology can be used to improve staff and customer safety in store. The technology is integrated into Asda’s existing CCTV network and works…
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1 April
Retailers face £5.6bn rise in costs as Budget comes into play
New research by Retail Economics, along with frontline specialist Yoobic, has found that retailers face a £5.56bn rise in costs from this week as changes from the Budget are enacted, The Telegraph has reported. The rising bills will reportedly cost shoppers £1.7bn over the next year as costs are passed…
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1 April
M&S to invest £50m in North West stores
M&S has announced a £50m investment in stores across the North West of England for the year ahead, creating 300 jobs and 100,000 total new square footage across its store estate in the area. The investment is another step forward in M&S’s store renewal and rotation programme, focused on having…
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1 April
Retailers refrain from price rises despite looming costs, BRC finds
Retailers did not resort to price rises throughout March, according to the latest BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index, despite rising cost pressures. It comes as high street retailers are competing for reluctant shoppers, who are more likely to be pulled in with seasonal promotions. Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business…
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1 April
Frasers ups stake in THG to 10.92%
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has revealed it has increased its stake in THG from 4.8% to 10.92%, according to the latest holding documents filed by the company. It now holds 151,940,734 voting rights in the company. The news comes as THG successfully fundraised £90m with the support from new investors…
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Mar- 2025 -31 March
Today’s news in brief-31/3/25
Primark CEO Paul Marchant has resigned with immediate effect following an investigation into an allegation regarding his behaviour towards a woman in a social setting. Parent company ABF launched an external probe, after which Marchant acknowledged his “error of judgement” and apologised to the individual, the board, and Primark employees.…
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31 March
Majestic agrees to acquire Enotria&Coe
Majestic, the UK specialist wine retailer, has entered into a formal agreement to acquire the premium wines and spirits supplier, Enotria&Coe for an undisclosed sum. Majestic said the combination will accelerate its strategic ambition to become the UK’s pre-eminent supplier of wines, beers and spirits, and improve value, choice and…
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