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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Sep- 2020 -17 September
John Lewis scraps staff bonus amid £635m pre-tax loss
Department store chain John Lewis Partnership has slashed its staff bonus for the first time since 1953, aftering reporting a £635m pre-tax loss for the half-year period ended July 2020. As result, the Partnership board has confirmed that there will not be a bonus next year given its profit outlook.…
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17 September
Co-op H1 sales surge 8.8% but profits dented by Covid costs
Grocery chain Co-op saw has revealed that like-for-like sales for the six months of the year increased by 8.8% as the coronavirus pandemic increased demand for consumers shopping closer to home. For the first half of the year ending 24 July, revenues at the retailer also increased by 7.6% to…
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17 September
Government extends commercial eviction ban until end of year
The government has decided to extend its commercial property eviction ban until the end of 2020. Businesses have been shielded from eviction over the last six months through the lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratoria, which was originally set to end on 1 October. Retail and hospitality trade associations, including…
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17 September
Next raises forecast amid ‘resilient’ performance
Next has announced that full price sales were down by 33% in the first half of the year, following the impact of the pandemic. Full price sales in the last seven weeks of trading were up 4% on last year, however, with the group welcoming a “strong start” with sales…
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16 September
EOTHO pushes UK inflation down to five-year low
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) 12-month rate fell to 0.2% in August 2020, down from 1% in July, according to new data from the ONS. The ONS said falling prices in restaurants and cafes, arising from the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, resulted in the largest downward contribution (0.44…
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16 September
H&M to return to profitability in Q3
H&M has announced it expects to return to profitability after experiencing a “better-than-expected” recovery during the third quarter of the year. For the 13-week period ending 31 August the Swedish clothing retailer said it expects before-tax profit of approximately SEK2b (£176m). The group said the recovery was the result of…
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16 September
Covid forcing 4 in 10 SMEs to put sale plans on hold
SMEs across the UK have had to “tear up” business succession plans due to Covid-19 with four in 10 placing their sale plans on hold, according to research from Nucleus Commercial Finance. Prior to the pandemic, Nucleus’ research showed that over a third (35%) of SMEs had hopes of selling…
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16 September
Nectar points given with Argos purchases for first time
Sainsbury’s has revealed that Nectar points will now be offered with Argos purchases for the first time ever. The supermarket chain, which acquired Argos in 2016, confirmed that Nectar card members will be able to earn points from purchasing Argos products and points will be doubled between 18 September and…
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16 September
Keir Starmer backs Usdaw’s call for government support
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed Keir Starmer’s backing for targeted government support to help save jobs and businesses in the retail sector. It comes as the Labour leader spoke to the annual Trades Union Congress, where he paid tribute to retail workers and “lamented that they remain overworked, underpaid…
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15 September
Creditors approve New Look CVA
New Look has announced that a CVA proposal launched last month has been approved by the majority of its unsecured creditors in a vote that was held today (15 September). Following the vote, the retailer will have a three-year rent holiday across 68 of its sites, as well as rent…
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