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.
-
May- 2020 -21 May
Matalan reopens 15 retail park stores
Matalan has reportedly opened a select number of its stores located in retail parks across the country. According to Drapers, the retailer has reopened 15 of its stores following changes to the government’s guidance on 1 May that classes homeware as essential. As such around 417 members of staff have…
Read More » -
21 May
Retailers set to receive £430m worth of tax rebates
The Supreme Court has handed the embattled retail sector a £430m tax lifeline by upholding an earlier decision that cash machines are exempt from business rates. The Court of Appeal ruled in November 2018 that cash machines within existing properties – whether internal or external facing – should not be…
Read More » -
21 May
Ted Baker appoints ex-Topshop design exec as new creative director
Ted Baker has announced the appointment of former Topshop global design director, Anthony Cuthbertson, as its new global creative director (GCD). In his new role, Cuthbertson will be responsible for brand, product, store and creative direction strategy. He succeeds Michael Bastian, who will continue as creative director on an interim…
Read More » -
21 May
Pets at Home sales top £1bn for the first time
Total annual revenue at Pets at Home exceeded £1bn for the first time in its history, increasing 10.2% to £1,058.8m in the full-year ended 26 March 2020 . Like-for-like revenue also surged 9% during the period, while retail like-for-like revenue was up 9.4%, marking a 15% rise on a two-year…
Read More » -
20 May
Matalan founder sues PwC over ‘misguided’ tax advice
PwC is reportedly being sued by the founder of Matalan over “misguided” tax advice. John Hargreaves, who set up the business in 1975, alleges the firm failed to give him correct guidance following his move to Monaco, leaving him with substantial tax liabilities for which he was pursued by HMRC.…
Read More » -
20 May
Johnsons Shoes Company enters administration
Johnsons Shoes Company, which operates 12 stores under the brands Johnsons Shoes and Bowleys Fine Shoes, has entered administration due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Ian Defty and Richard Toone from insolvency and restructuring firm CVR Global have been appointed as administrators, and have opted to keep all…
Read More » -
20 May
Asda sees Q1 sales rise 3.5%
Big four grocer Asda has reported a 3.5% like-for-like sales rise during the first quarter of the year following a “surge” in online sales during the coronavirus lockdown. In an update for the three month period ending 31 March 2020, the supermarket said it experienced a surge in demand for…
Read More » -
20 May
Marks and Spencer profits tumble in full-year results
Marks and Spencer has announced that profit before tax tumbled 20.2% to £67.2m in the full-year ended 28 March 2020. It comes as an uplift in food sales failed to offset poor sales in its clothing division. The retailer’s full-year grocery sales improved 1.9%, with an estimated 0.3% lift attributable…
Read More » -
20 May
Deliveroo expands partnership with Majestic Wines to 80 locations
Deliveroo and Majestic Wines has announced the expansion of its delivery partnership to cover 80 UK sites across the UK, alongside an expanded range on offer. Majestic Wines has unveiled a specially curated range of more than 50 wines, champagnes and spirits, available to order on the Deliveroo app. The…
Read More » -
19 May
Topps Tiles reports losses of £4m in half-year results
Topps Tiles has reported pre-tax losses of £4m for the half-year period ended 28 March, down from the profits of £5.2m it made during the same period in 2019. First half like-for-like sales declined by 6.1%. Excluding week 26, when all stores were closed due to Covid-19, like-for-like sales decreased…
Read More »
