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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May- 2021 -26 May
700 Argos jobs at risk of ‘fire and rehire’
Unite Union has revealed that 700 of its members who work at Argos, which is part of the Sainsbury’s group, are “under threat” of “fire and rehire” as the company issues new contracts. Under the retailer’s plans, the affected workers will reportedly be required to pay increased pension contributions, lose…
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26 May
Poundland owner debuts on Warsaw Stock Exchange
Poundland owner the Pepco Group has made its debut on the Warsaw Stock Exchange with an implied initial market capitalisation of PLN 23bn (£4.4bn). The group, which also owns the Pepco and Dealz brands, shares are identified by the ticker symbol PCO. Including the over-allotment option, it revealed approximately 92…
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26 May
BRC calls for increased protection as shop worker abuse jumps 7%
The BRC is continuing to push the government for a “statutory offence” for assaulting, threatening, or abusing retail workers, after staff report on average 455 incidents of violence and abuse each day. A study, which was conducted by the group as part of its ‘2021 Retail Crime Survey’, showed that…
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26 May
The Spar Group sees H1 profits rise 28%
The Spar Group has revealed that its operating profit for the six months ended 31 March 2021 grew 28% to R1.7bn (£86.8m) from R1.3bn (£66.4m) the previous year, reflecting “exceptionally strong performances” in European countries. Turnover also increased by 7.5% to R64.2bn (£3.2bn) from R59.7bn (£3.05bn) despite sales slowing “significantly”…
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26 May
Supermarket visits rise by 58 million amid vaccine rollout
UK shoppers made 58 million more visits to the supermarket in the most recent four weeks than they did in May 2020, according to the latest take-home grocery figures from Kantar. As the vaccine rollout continues, it noted that consumers are getting more confident returning to stores. The greatest acceleration…
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26 May
Ralph and Russo takeover on the rocks
The sale of womenswear brand Ralph and Russo is reportedly in doubt as businesses are unable to commit due to the impacts of Covid-19 on the sector. The company fell into administration in March following the resignation of Tamara Ralph, co-founder and creative director, after a “dispute” with fellow co-founder…
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26 May
M&S to close sites amid £201m loss
Marks and Spencer has swung to a statutory £201m loss in its financial results for the year ended 3 April 2021, down from a profit of £67m a year before, which it primarily attributed to lockdowns and tiered pandemic restrictions over the period. This represents a 31.5% drop in total…
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25 May
BRC calls on government to ‘accelerate use’ of green goods vehicles
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has written to the secretary of state for transport, Grant Shapps MP, calling on the government to act to encourage the take up of green technologies and reduce emissions from goods vehicles. According to the BRC, retailers are “making progress” to address this issue, but…
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25 May
Wilko FY21 sales plummet £107m to £1.36bn
Wilkinson Hardware Stores (Wilko) saw its total sales drop 7.3% and £107.2m year-on-year from £1.47bn in FY20 to £1.36bn in FY21. Despite the fall in total sales, the homewares and household goods retailer’s EBITDA held steady for the 12 months ended 30 January 2021, declining from £48.5m to £48.3m. The…
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25 May
Made.com launches £1bn London IPO
Online furniture retailer Made.com has announced its expected intention to float on the London Stock Exchange for £1bn. Founded in the UK 11 years ago, the e-commerce retailer had already enlisted JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and Liberum this February to work on the plans for the IPO. The group had…
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