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 -15 January
Supreme Court sides with small firms in business interruption insurance case
The Supreme Court has delivered its judgment in the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA)’s business interruption insurance test case, with the court’s ruling in the favour of small firms potentially forcing insurers to pay out £1.2bn in CBI claims. Following the judgement, thousands of policyholders will now have their claims for…
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15 January
Dunelm revenues up 11% despite store closures
Homeware retailer Dunelm has reported an 11.8% increase in revenues for the 13-week period ended 26 December 2020, despite having the majority of its stores closed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Dunelm reported revenues of £360.4m during the period, which the retailer said reflected the fact that despite restrictions consumer demand…
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15 January
H&M appoints new communications director
H&M has announced the appointment of Andreas Eriksson as communications director succeeding his predecessor Kristina Stenvinkel. Eriksson, who was the group’s previous head of media relations, will be succeeded by Iñigo Sáenz Maestre, who is currently the senior press officer. Eriksson brings with him extensive experience within communications and leadership…
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15 January
N Brown sales continue to recover in Q3
N Brown has seen group revenue continue to improve in FY21. Though revenue was down by 8.8% in its third quarter, this marked an improvement from the 13.4% fall in Q2 and 21.9% decline in Q1, when the pandemic first hit. According to the retailer, customer trends in its latest…
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15 January
UK GDP shrinks by 2.6%
GDP declined by 2.6% in November 2020 as government restrictions reduced economic activity, the latest ONS figures reveal. Figures released by the statistics office show that November GDP was 8.5% below its pre-pandemic levels. The decline follows a period of economic growth for the UK, with last October’s report revealing…
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15 January
Card Factory sales down 38% in 2020
Card Factory, the greetings cards, dressings, and gifts provider, has announced its sales for the eleven months ended 31 December 2020 were down by 38.1% year-on-year. With Covid-19 leading to mandatory store closures that resulted in prohibited openings for 37% of available trading days, the firm saw its revenue fall…
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15 January
Hammerson CFO steps down
Hammerson has announced that James Lenton will step down as the company’s chief financial officer. Lenton informed the shopping centre operator’s board of directors of his decision to leave the position earlier this week. Despite departing Hammerson, Lenton will continue as the company’s CFO and as a non-executive director until…
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14 January
Scotland bans click and collect on non-essential retail
Stores in Scotland will no longer be able to provide click and collect services for non-essential retail, as the government attempts to clamp down on the spread of Covid-19. The decision which was announced by first minister Nicola Sturgeon will also see a ban on drinking alcohol outside and people…
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14 January
£95m Northern Ireland retail voucher scheme put on hold
A £95m high street voucher scheme, first announced by the Northern Ireland economy minister in November, has been referred to the next financial year, according to the BBC. The scheme is intended to support retailers that have been hardest hit by the pandemic, possibly through a pre-paid card system. Similar…
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14 January
Administrators finalise sale of Bonmarche
The joint administrators of Bonmarche have announced the completed sale of the company to Purepay Retail Limited, which is backed by an international investor consortium for an undisclosed amount. Damian Webb and Gordon Thomson, partners at the accountancy firm RSM, were appointed joint administrators to the company on 30 November…
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