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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Apr- 2021 -30 April
Amazon sees Q1 profits surge to $8.1bn
Amazon has revealed that net income soared to $8.1bn (£5.8bn) in its first quarter results, up from a net income of $2.5bn (£1.8bn) the year prior, as more customers turned to online shopping amid the global pandemic. In the same period, its net sales increased 44% to $108.5bn (£78bn) in…
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30 April
One in seven retail units remain vacant, says BRC
Retail vacancies in the UK have increased across all shopping destinations, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Local Data Company’s (LDC) Vacancy Monitor. The trade association’s data revealed that one in seven of the country’s retail shops remain empty due to the pandemic. In the first quarter of…
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30 April
Card Factory trading performance ‘exceeds expectations’
Card Factory has announced that its performance following the reopening of stores in England and Wales “exceeded its expectations”. The company has also revealed that it has agreed headline terms for refinancing of the group with its current syndicate of commercial lending banks, with a further update due in the…
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29 April
CTSI warns of supermarket fake text scams
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has received evidence of a text scam involving Asda and Morissons delivery messages. One of the fake texts stated that “your Asda order is out for delivery” and links to a webpage supposedly allowing the recipient “to track your order and view your delivery…
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29 April
Westfield owner sees Q1 shopping centre turnover drop 42.8%
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), the owner of Westfield, saw a 30.1% year-on-year decline to £313.6m for its shopping centre revenues in Q1 2021. The group’s total turnover for the period fell 42.8% to £393.2m, as the company’s operations remained strongly impacted by ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. According to the group, the quarter saw…
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29 April
In The Style sees sales rise 130% to £44.5m
Online fashion retailer In The Style has revealed that it expects turnover for the full-year period ending 31 March 2021 to be no lower than £44.5m, a year on year increase of more than 130%. During the period, the retailer said that new customer generation increased by 19% to 420,000,…
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29 April
Asos calls for new law to strengthen Modern Slavery Act
Asos has called for the implementation of a new mandatory human rights due diligence legislation in the UK in order to strengthen the 2015 Modern Slavery Act. The legislation, which is currently being developed by the European Commission for the EU, would help ensure that UK companies take steps to…
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29 April
VF Corp to sell workwear brands
VF Corporation has announced it has entered into an agreement to see the occupational part of its work segment with a subsidiary of Redwood Capital Investments, LLC. Brands such as Work Authority, Kodiak, Bulwark and VF Solutions are included in the occupational workwear portion of VF’s work segment. However, the…
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29 April
Asda to sell vintage clothing as part of sustainability commitment
Asda’s instore clothing brand George will begin selling second-hand clothing in its supermarkets as part of its ‘George for Good’ commitment to drive down textile waste. Following a successful trial in Asda’s sustainability store in Leeds, George is now launching the sustainable fashion partnership in a further 50 of its…
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29 April
WH Smith launches fundraise to open 100 new travel stores
WH Smith has unveiled plans to open around 100 new travel stores after launching a £325 bond offering in convertible bonds, despite reporting losses in its half-year results. The group, which also secured a £250m revolving credit facility with an extended maturity to 2025, said the funds will aid the…
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