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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Aug- 2020 -10 August
Baird Group launches CVA proposal
Baird Group has launched a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) proposal in order to safeguard the “long-term future” of the group. The group, whose portfolio includes Ben Sherman and Suit Direct, worked with KPMG’s Restructuring practice to review “all options” available to address the challenges presented by the pandemic. As a…
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10 August
WH Smith seeks rent cuts
WH Smith is reportedly seeking rent cuts from its landlords as it looks to cut costs. According to The Sunday Times, the retailer has drafted in advisers Gerald Eve to negotiate with landlords across its portfolio of over 1,000 UK stores located on the high street and at travel hubs. …
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10 August
Superdry secures funding as sales fall
Superdry has secured a new £70m lending facility in a bid to equip it with “flexibility and liquidity” following the coronavirus crisis. It comes as the disruption from the pandemic has continued to “materially impact” its year-on-year performance, despite the fact that trading was ahead of initial expectations in its…
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10 August
Lidl opens 100th London store
Discount supermarket Lidl GB has opened its 100th London store in Beckton. The retailer also revealed plans to open 30 new stores in the capital by the end of 2023 creating around 1,400 jobs, helping to meet demand in London locations. Lidl GB CEO, Christian Härtnagel, said: “Our 100th store…
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7 August
Poor July sales rock high street recovery
Poor in-store sales through the month of July have “dampened hopes of a recovery” across UK high streets, according to the latest High Street Sales Tracker from BDO. In-store like-for-like sales decreased by 39.4% last month, down from a marginal base of 0.1% that was reported the year before. According…
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7 August
Usdaw warns business rates increase could risk more jobs
Retail trade union Usdaw has expressed “major concerns” over reports that the government is considering increasing business rates for premises with a rateable value over £51,000. The news comes as reports suggest Rishi Sunak is considering increasing business rates in an effort to boost the UK economy. Instead, Usdaw is…
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7 August
Jigsaw eyes CVA plans
Fashion retailer Jigsaw is reportedly set to launch a CVA proposal in the coming week as the ongoing impact of the coronavirus takes its toll on the UK high street. According to Drapers, the womenswear retailer is set to take action a month after it brought in auditing firm KPMG…
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7 August
Naked Wine hails ‘strong’ sales performance
Naked Wines has announced it is continuing to “trade strongly” despite the crisis, with total July sales expected to be up by 73% against the prior year. This would bring its sales growth in the first four months of the financial year to 76%, overall. According to the retailer, this…
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6 August
McColls reports H1 sales rise as Covid drives demand
Convenience chain retailer McColls has reported an 8.3% increase in sales for the first half of the financial year after the company benefited from “stronger demand” for food and alcohol amid the Covid-19 pandemic. During the six months to 24 May, McColls reported a 1% decrease in total revenues to…
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6 August
Hammerson seeks £825m to ride pandemic
Shopping centre owner Hammerson has announced it plans to raise £825m through fundraising and disposals as it looks to survive the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement comes as Hammerson reported that net rental income dropped by 44% to £87.3m during the first half of the year. For the…
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