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 -7 January
Boots owner agrees £4.8bn sale of Alliance Healthcare
AmerisourceBergen Corporation has announced the acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance’s healthcare businesses for approximately $6.5bn (£4.77bn), comprising $6.275bn (£4.6bn) in cash and 2 million shares of AmerisourceBergen common stockThe acquisition of Alliance Healthcare will reportedly provide even stronger support for pharmacies and pharmacists across the globe and integrated solutions for…
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7 January
B&M revenue soars 23% in Q3
The UK’s largest variety goods value retailer, B&M, has reported a growth in revenue of 22.5% for the 13 weeks ended 26 December 2020. The group announced that the £60.5m rise in total group revenues when compared to the same period last year has contributed to an expected adjusted EBITDA…
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7 January
Joules reports online sales boost over Christmas
Joules has reported the group’s online retail channels received a sales boost during the seven-week period to 3 January 2021, with total online retail sales soaring by 66% year-on-year over the Christmas season. The group noted this was primarily driven by traffic growth and improved conversion rates across its digital…
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7 January
Sainsbury’s welcomes Christmas sales surge
Sainsbury’s has reported a “strong Christmas performance”, with like-for-like sales up 9.3% during the holiday period. In a trading statement, the big four grocer revealed that it now expects pre-tax profits to hit at least £330m in the financial year to March 2021. According to the brand, total sales for…
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6 January
Online grocery sales double over festive period
The online share of grocery sales at UK supermarkets has doubled to 12.5% in the four weeks ending 26 December 2020, up from 6.7% last year, according to new data released by Nielsen. The rise in sales was predominantly due to a total of 8.5 million households shopping for their…
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6 January
Coty acquires interest in KKW beauty
Coty has announced the completed acquisition of a 20% ownership interest in Kim Kardashian West’s beauty business for $200m (£146m). The acquisition was first announced in June 2020 and completed on schedule in Q3 fiscal year 2021. Coty and Kardashian West said they will focus on entering new beauty categories…
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6 January
Travis Perkins appoints new chair
Travis Perkins, the home improvement retailer, has announced the appointment of Jasmine Whitbread as its new chair. Whitbread is set to succeed Stuart Chambers, who is stepping down as a director and non-executive chairman on 30 March 2021. Currently the chief executive of London First, Whitbread will join the retailer…
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6 January
M&S close to Jaeger deal
Marks and Spencers is reportedly close to signing a deal to purchase Jaeger from Philip Day’s Edinburgh Woollen Mill group which collapsed into administration last year. According to Sky News, M&S could reach an agreement to acquire the store as early as this week. In November last year the store…
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5 January
1,500 jobs at risk as Paperchase calls in administrators
Paperchase, the UK-based stationary store chain, has reportedly called in administrators due to a lack of sales caused by Covid-19. A spokesperson confirmed to Retail Sector that a notice has now been filed to appoint administrators from PwC to oversee the administration. It comes as reports show that during November…
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5 January
Chancellor unveils £4.6bn in new lockdown grants
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000, the chancellor has announced. The news comes after the prime minister’s announcement that businesses will be closed until at least February half-term in order to help control the spread of Covid-19. Alongside…
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