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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Jan- 2021 -19 January
Aldi increases minimum wage to £9.55
Aldi has announced it is increasing its minimum hourly rate to £9.55 an hour nationwide, exceeding the Living Wage Foundation’s latest recommended pay rates. According to the supermarket, these changes mean that store colleagues across the UK will earn a minimum of £0.83 more per hour than the current national…
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19 January
Matalan revenue falls 21.5% in Q3
Matalan, the out of town fashion and homeware retailer, has announced its year-on-year revenue plummeted 21.5% for the 13 weeks ended 28 November 2020. The drop in sales from £311.7m to £244.8m came as a result of the “severe Covid-19 related disruption” that the November lockdown caused the firm. Adjusted…
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19 January
Hotel Chocolat’s multi-channel model sees sales boost
Hotel Chocolat has reported a 19% rise in total group revenue in the 13 weeks to 27 December thanks to its multi-channel model, according to the company’s latest trading update. The chocolatier said strong online growth in the UK assisted the business as the pandemic led to temporary store closures…
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19 January
AO welcomes ‘record’ Christmas quarter
AO World has welcomed its “strongest ever” peak trading period over the Black Friday and Christmas period, with year-on-year UK revenue soaring 67.2% to £457.3m in the quarter ended 31 December 2020. It comes as the group said it has continued investment in its infrastructure in order to deliver higher…
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18 January
Uniqlo reports 7.2% revenue decline
Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, has revealed the high street fashion brand’s year-on-year revenue for the quarter ended 30 November 2020 fell by 7.2%. A large profit rise in Asia alongside steady e-commerce expansion did result in a £295m (9.5%) Q1 2021 increase to the firm’s global operating…
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18 January
Former Carillion boss to leave Tesco role
Alison Horner, the chief executive of Tesco’s Asia business and a former director at the collapsed construction company Carillion, is reportedly set to step down next month. According to The Sunday Times, Horner is set to step down after 22 years with the business where he led its Asian arm…
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18 January
Barclay family mulls £3bn Very Group float
The Barclay family is reportedly eyeing up a £3bn float of online retailer Very Group, according to reports from Sky News. The billionaire family, who owns the business, is said to be in the early stages of exploring plans for the flotation in a bid to “capitalise on exploding investor…
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18 January
H&M partners with Simone Rocha
H&M has announced its partnering with Simone Rocha, the Irish designer known for celebrating her inter-ethnic heritage, on an upcoming collection. The collaboration will see the designer’s signature tagged on womenswear, menswear and clothing for children. The new collection is set to launch on 11 March 2021, which will also…
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18 January
Dr. Martens to float on London Stock Exchange
Dr. Martens has announced its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange, with admission currently expected to occur in early February 2021. The shoe retailer has confirmed its plans to apply for admission of the company’s shares to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the FCA.…
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18 January
Next in the lead for Arcadia Group
High street retailer Next is allegedly the lead bidder in the race to buy Arcadia Group out of administration, The Sunday Times reports. Next, which is headed by Simon Wolfson, is said to be bidding for the group with US hedge fund Davidson Kempner. However, the pair face competition from…
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