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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Jun- 2021 -9 June
RSM retail head calls for ‘more flexible furlough scheme’
Jacqui Baker, head of retail at RSM, has called for a more “flexible furlough scheme” to allow retailers to “manage peaks and troughs of activity”, as the UK comes out of lockdown. In her plea, which comes ahead of the government’s coronavirus select committee this afternoon, Baker said that retailers…
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9 June
May sees online retail sales fall 9.1%, latest data reveals
Online retail sales fell 9.1% year-on-year last month compared with 2020 which saw a growth of 61% according to the latest IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index. Despite this, when measured against May 2019’s pre-pandemic levels, last month’s figures represent an overall 46% increase in sales volume. At a category level,…
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9 June
LVMH launches £26m global support fund for employees
LVMH has announced the launch of its Heart Fund, a global emergency and support fund for its 150,000 employees, with an initial endowment of €30m (£25.7m). The group has implemented the fund with the aim of supporting all its staff around the world who are faced with a “serious personal…
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9 June
Aldi’s ‘price match’ complaint against Tesco dismissed by ASA
Aldi’s complaint against Tesco’s ‘price match’ campaign has been dismissed by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The German grocer launched a complaint against a press ad issued by Tesco last July – which aimed to compete with Aldi. The ad depicted a large roundel which stated “Aldi Price Match”. Further…
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9 June
Toy retailer secures seven-figure funding package
A Manchester-based online children’s toy and games retailer has secured a seven-figure funding package from HSBC UK to support its expansion plans. Bargainmax.co.uk is planning to use the money to increase its product range and stock by over 60% in the next year. Currently, the toy brand offers over 2,500…
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9 June
Gap to step away from 19 UK sites
Gap is set to close 19 of its stores across the UK and Ireland as their leases expire on 31 July 2021. The US clothing and accessories retailer confirmed that is stepping away from the sites as part of a strategic review of its operations, which commenced last Autumn. While…
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9 June
Inditex sees Q1 sales rise 50% to over £4bn
Inditex, the owner of Zara, has announced that its sales soared by 50% to €4.9bn (£4.2bn) in the first quarter of 2021, while online sales rocketed 67% in the same period. Net profit totalled €421m (£362m) in the quarter, up from a loss of €409m (£352m) reported in the first…
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8 June
M&S partners with English heritage this summer
M&S has announced a new partnership with English Heritage to give customers 50% off at over 130 historic sites, properties and landmarks this summer. The partnership is the latest example of the retailers’ efforts to create a personalised loyalty programme with relevant offers, experiences and donations to causes. Customers will…
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8 June
Waitrose names Tina Mitchell as retail director
The John Lewis Partnership has announced the appointment of Tina Mitchell as retail director at Waitrose. Mitchell will join the partnership in November from her current position as divisional managing director at the Co-op. Moreover, she provides the role with over two decades of leadership experience, having previously worked in…
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8 June
MaxiSaver reveals store expansion plans
MaxiSaver, a value goods retailer, has revealed its intentions to expand across England with another 20 stores this year. The strategy of portfolio extension is set to create “hundreds of jobs” from Bedford in the south to Sheffield in the north. A provider of discount products from areas that span…
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