News
The latest news, updates and analysis on the the UK retail industry. Covering every segment of the market, Retail Sector’s business journalists keep you in the picture.
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Jan- 2025 -28 January
Merry Hill announces new leases for Costa Coffee and Bensons for Beds
Merry Hill has announced that Costa Coffee and Bensons for Beds are opening new sites at the shopping destination. Bensons for Beds will open a 8,000 sq ft store. Dedicated to “Sleep Wellness”, the new store will showcase the retailer’s extensive range of beds, furniture, and bedding. Meanwhile Costa is…
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28 January
Wickes ups guidance as revenues jump 3% in H2
Wickes has upgraded its profit guidance to be towards the upper end of the £39.7-£44.0m consensus forecast range following a 3% increase in retail revenues to £579.1m in the second half of 2024. The group said that retail sales delivered “good” growth in H2, with particularly strong performance in interior…
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28 January
January sales see shop price deflation hit 0 .7%
January sales helped shop price deflation reach 0.7% in January, above deflation of 1.0% in the previous month, as retailers attempted to attract post-Christmas shoppers, according to the latest figures from the BRC-NilesenIQ Shop Price Index. Shop price annual growth is at its lowest rate since August 2021 as non-food…
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28 January
Halfords upgrades FY25 guidance but braces for £23m budget hit
Halfords has upgraded its profit before tax guidance to between £32m and £37m for FY25, thanks to recent trading and the retailer’s continued strategic progress. However, the business has noted that the changes coming in April are due to add some £23m to Halfords’ direct labour costs for FY26 alone.…
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28 January
Pets at Home maintains guidance despite stagnant Q3 revenues
Pets at Home has maintained its full-year profit guidance despite the fact that its total group revenue fell 0.2% to £361.6m for the 12 weeks ended 2 January 2025. Its persistence comes as the company saw its consumer revenue increase 2.3% to £468m during the period. Pets at Home stated…
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28 January
HMV owner eyes bid for WH Smith’s high street arm
The owner of HMV is reportedly considering snapping up WH Smith’s high street arm, after the retailer this week confirmed it was exploring a potential sale of its 500 high street stores. According to The Sun, it is understood that HMV owner Doug Putman is now in talks with advisers over…
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27 January
Today’s news in brief-27/1/25
WH Smith is exploring the sale of its high street arm to focus on its global Travel business, which now contributes 75% of revenue and 85% of profits. The potential sale, managed by bankers at Greenhill, comes amid a 9% decline in high street profits to £39m, although group revenue…
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27 January
Bestway Retail announces new partnership with operator James Retail
Bestway Retail has announced a new long-term partnership with James Retail, the 40-strong nationwide Convenience and Travel interchange operator, owned by Jonathan James. Already working with the leading privately-owned neighbourhood and travel hub operator, the new agreement accelerates Bestway Retail’s strategic growth plans and sees James Retail convert their estate…
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27 January
Dr Martens Q3 group revenue rises 3%
Dr Martens has revealed that its group revenue increased 3% on a constant currency basis to £267m during the 13 weeks ended 29 December 2024. Alongside this, its direct-to-consumer revenue (DTC) rose by 1% on a constant currency basis. The brand stated that this was driven by ecommerce revenue growing…
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27 January
Asda relaunches hunt for new CEO
Allan Leighton, Asda’s chair, has reportedly restarted the hunt for a new CEO after a failed effort by his predecessor, Lord Rose, the Telegraph reported. Leighton, who returned to Asda in November, having previously run the supermarket from 1996 until 2000, stated that he is looking for a candidate who…
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