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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Feb- 2021 -12 February
Vacant units in City of London almost double amid pandemic
The number of vacant units in the City of London increased by 47% from 174 at the end of 2019 to 255 at the end of 2020, according to new research by retail data consultancy the Local Data Company This equated to an increase in vacancy rate in the City…
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12 February
Amazon investors call for end to anti-union interference
A group of more than 70 Amazon investors are calling on the company to end interference against efforts by its workers to unionise in America, according to the Financial Times. More than 5,800 Amazon employees in Alabama are set to vote in a mail-in ballot; the first time attempt by…
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11 February
M&S launches sustainable denim range
Marks and Spencers has started replacing its denim items with more sustainable dyes as part of an environmental initiative. Around 50% of the new denim range uses 86% less water compared to the industry average for denim finishing. The supermarket chain said that 58% of its customers supported the idea…
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11 February
Westfield owner to ‘significantly reduce’ exposure in US
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has revealed it will “significantly reduce” its financial exposure to the US and instead focus on its UK real estate. The news follows the company’s F2 2020 results which showed net rental income for shopping centres fell by 25.9% to €1.69bn (£1.4bn) from €2.29bn (£2bn) the previous year.…
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11 February
Ted Baker Q4 sales fall 47% amid low occasionwear demand
Clothing retailer Ted Baker reported that Q4 group revenues fell by 47% during the 13-week period ending 30 January 2021. It comes as the retailer said it has seen a “material negative impact” from the Covid pandemic including the closure of its entire UK store portfolio for the majority of…
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11 February
Two-fifths of retailers expect Valentine’s sales boost
Two-fifths of retailers (41%) expect to see a boost in sales in the run up to Valentine’s Day. According to Barclaycard Payments, £787m is expected to be spent on the celebratory day, despite ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. As a result of the expected 26% spike to predicted sales, 63% of retailers…
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11 February
Sainsbury’s pledges to match Aldi on 100s of prices
Sainsbury’s has pledged to match discount supermarket Aldi on hundreds of branded and own-brand products, in what the group describes as its “boldest ever value campaign”. According to the grocer, customers will now find around 250 products all “carefully price matched” to the equivalent product at Aldi. The price match…
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11 February
Co-op launches major apprenticeship initiative to improve diversity
Co-op is calling on employers across the UK to help create a £15m fund that will support the creation of thousands of new apprenticeship opportunities for underrepresented groups. The group will pledge an initial £500,000 towards the fund’s creation, which has been designed for “maximum reach and flexibility” and will…
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11 February
Non-food retailers see £22bn sales hit due to Covid
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is reporting that the country’s three national lockdowns have cost ‘non-food’ stores – mainly ‘non-essential’ retail – an estimated £22bn in lost sales. The trade association said stricter restrictions in the crucial run-up to Christmas hampered retailers’ ability to generate much-needed turnover, which would have…
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10 February
JD Sports eyes EU warehouse amid ‘worse than feared’ Brexit impact
Peter Cowgill, the chairman of JD Sports has revealed the company is considering opening a new distribution centre in the EU to overcome some of the challenges caused by the UK leaving the EU. Speaking to the BBC, Cowgill said the current impact of Brexit for retailers has been “considerably…
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