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.
-
Mar- 2025 -12 March
Stella McCartney profits and revenues plummet in FY23
Stella McCartney has seen a decline in profits and revenues, as its losses widened from £10m to £24.68m in FY23, while revenues fell from £40.06m to £21.9m. The group stated that in 2023, it faced significant pressure from inflation on materials and salaries, with adverse effects in particular on the…
Read More » -
12 March
Cake Box to acquire Ambala Foods for £22m
Fresh cream cakes retailer, Cake Box, has conditionally agreed to acquire Ambala Foods Limited, a UK-based manufacturer and retailer of Asian sweets (Mithai), for £22m. The total sum will be divided into £16m for Ambala and £6m for its manufacturing facility in Welwyn Garden City. Founded in 1964, Ambala has…
Read More » -
11 March
Today’s news in brief-11/3/25
Boohoo has rebranded as Debenhams Group following its acquisition of the high street department store in 2021, which it relaunched as an online-only business. The rebrand comes amid challenges for Boohoo’s youth-focused brands, including Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing, and MAN, which have required heavy discounting. The group reported a 16% revenue drop…
Read More » -
11 March
Convenience stores victim to over 6.2 million thefts last year, ACS finds
The UK’s local shops recorded an estimated 6.2 million incidents of shop theft last year, compared with 5.6 million in the previous year, according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). The ACS said this marked another “record level” of theft committed against convenience store retailers, with the total cost…
Read More » -
11 March
M&S adds Hush and Whistles to its ‘Brands at M&S’ platform
M&S has announced the addition of contemporary fashion and lifestyle brands, Hush and Whistles to its ‘Brands at M&S’ online platform this season, as the retailer continues to go after growth in womenswear and drive style perceptions. Hush and Whistles are the first dedicated womenswear brands to launch on the…
Read More » -
11 March
Valentines Day helps retail sales jump 1.1% in February
Total retail sales in the UK increased by 1.1% year-on-year for the four weeks ended 1 March, a similar increase compared with February 2024, as Valentines Day helped boost sales. During the period, food sales increased by 2.3% year-on-year in February, compared with a growth of 5.6% in the same…
Read More » -
11 March
Mango turnover tops €3.3bn in 2024 amid record investment
Mango has hailed its “excellent” full-year results after turnover rose by 7.6% to €3.3bn (£2.8bn) in 2024, while net profit soared by 27% to €219m (£184m), in what the group has called the “best moment of its history” amid record investment. Over the period, full-year EBITDA rose by 19% to…
Read More » -
11 March
Boohoo rebrands to Debenhams Group
Boohoo has announced that it is rebranding as Debenhams Group, having rescued the high street department store out of administration in 2021 and initially relaunched it as an online-only business. News of the rebrand comes as Boohoo incurred a one-off non-cash cost of roughly £40m on surplus stock in its…
Read More » -
10 March
Today’s news in brief-10/3/25
WH Smith is nearing a decision on the sale of its high street business, with two bidders, Alteri Investors and Modello Capital, remaining in the race. The retailer, which has seen its Travel business outperform high street outlets, confirmed in January it was exploring strategic options, including a potential sale.…
Read More » -
10 March
Two bidders remain in running for WH Smith high street arm
Only two firms reportedly remain in the running to acquire WH Smith’s high street business, with a possible decision coming sometime this spring, according to Sky News. The news outlet revealed that Alteri Investors, which owns Bensons for Beds, and the Hobbycraft and The Original Factory Shop owner Modello Capital…
Read More »
