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- 2025 -28 May
M&S appoints ex-Coles exec Thinus Keeves as retail director
M&S has announced it has appointed former Coles executive Thinus Keeves to the newly created role of retail director. Keeves, who will start on 6 June, will report to operations director Sacha Berendji. Berendji will continue to have overall accountability for Retail, Property, Security and Business Continuity. Keeves joins the…
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28 May
Adidas customer data stolen in cyber attack
Adidas has confirmed that it was hit by a cyber attack last week, stating that an external party obtained consumer data through a third party customer service provider. The German sportswear giant claimed that the affected data did not contain passwords, credit card details or any payment related information, but…
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28 May
Kingfisher sales rise 2.2% to £3.3bn in Q1
Kingfisher, which operates DIY brands Screwfix and B&Q, has reported that total sales rose 2.2% to £3.3bn in the first quarter ended 30 April. It comes as like-for-like sales grew 1.8% during the period, with the group noting a 2.7% boost in underlying growth, thanks to customers making more large…
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28 May
John Lewis wins approval for West Ealing housing plans
The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has been successful in its planning appeal to redevelop Waitrose West Ealing and build hundreds of new homes. A government planning inspector confirmed the plans had been given the go ahead after JLP submitted an appeal in summer 2024 on the grounds of a “non-determination”. …
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28 May
Pets at Home FY profits rise 14% to £120m despite flat revenues
Pets at Home has seen its profit before tax rise 14% to £120.6m for the year ended 27 March 2025, following strong growth in its veterinary sector. Its vet group consumer revenue was up 13%, with record sales supported by higher visits, average transaction values and significant growth in Care…
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28 May
Aldi launches virtual work experience programme for young people
Aldi has introduced a virtual work experience programme for young people that is designed to build skills and introduce students to a wide range of retail careers. The free online course is open to students in the UK aged 13 and over, and will guide young people on roles from…
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27 May
Oxford Street vacancies drop below pre-pandemic levels
The rate of vacancies on Oxford Street in London has fallen to 0.5%, the first time it has fallen below 1% since before the pandemic, according to data from Savills. Savills attributed this to an undersupply of quality vacant space, noting that good quality retail space has become “increasingly constrained”.…
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27 May
Crocs appoints new chief brand officer
Casual footwear brand Crocs has announced the appointment of Terence Reilly to the role of executive vice president, chief brand officer, with oversight over the marketing and communications functions for both the Crocs and HeyDude brands, effective immediately. As a veteran brand expert, Reilly has a proven track record of…
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27 May
M&S to open 12 new stores in former Homebase sites
Marks and Spencer is set to open 12 brand new food stores on former Homebase sites across England, in a move that will create over 550 new jobs. The openings form part of M&S’s store rotation and renewal programme, which aims to create 420 “bigger, fresher” food stores and transform…
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27 May
Fresh food prices drive food inflation up 2.8% in May
Food inflation increased to 2.8% year-on-year in May, rising for the fourth consecutive month, driven by a surge in the cost of fresh food, according to the BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index. It found that Fresh Food inflation increased to 2.4%, against growth of 1.8% in April. This is above the…
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