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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Apr- 2020 -24 April
Government introduces new measures to protect high street
The business secretary has announced a new set of measures that will be introduced to protect high street businesses “under strain” from the ongoing pandemic. High street shops, and other companies facing financial difficulties, will now be protected from “aggressive” rent collection and asked to pay what they can as…
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23 April
Animal set to shutter entire UK estate by 2021
Fashion brand Animal is reportedly set to shutter its entire UK estate by 2021, placing almost 500 jobs at risk. According to a report by the BBC, the brand’s owner H Young Holdings said the closure could come as early as January of next year, and added that the move…
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23 April
One in six shopworkers abused daily during pandemic, says Usdaw
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has released statistics revealing one in six shop workers have suffered abuse on every shift, during the coronavirus pandemic. The statistics revealed 62% of the 4,928 shopworkers surveyed have experienced verbal abuse, with almost a third being threatened by a customer. Usdaw also revealed 4% of…
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23 April
Gordon Brothers rescues Laura Ashley from administration
Embattled retailer Laura Ashley has been rescued from administration by global investment firm Gordon Brothers for an undisclosed sum. Gordon Brothers revealed it has acquired the global Laura Ashley brand, archives, and related intellectual property from the Laura Ashley group’s administrators PwC. Ramez Toubassy, president of brands for Gordon Brothers…
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23 April
DFS raises £64m from shareholders and directors
DFS revealed it has successfully raised £64m through a share placing in a move that will “significantly increase its financial resilience” amid the ongoing pandemic. In addition, the furniture retailer also received credit approval for a new 12-month bank facility of £70m from its existing lending banks. This new bank…
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22 April
Cath Kidston shutters entire UK estate, over 900 staff made redundant
The administrators of Cath Kidston have confirmed that all 60 Cath Kidston stores in the UK have now closed, resulting in 908 staff being made redundant. Richard Fleming and Mark Firmin from restructuring practice Alvarez and Marsal were appointed as joint administrators to Cath Kidston yesterday. Immediately following the administrators’…
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22 April
John Lewis furloughs 14,000 members of staff
John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has revealed it has furloughed over 14,000 members of staff and will slash over £200m from its year spend. The effort to cut costs, which was announced in a letter to partners and staff, comes as John Lewis revealed a “mixed” trading period. With all 50…
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22 April
Boohoo reports 54% rise in pre-tax profits in FY results
Online fashion retailer Boohoo has reported a 54% rise in pre-tax profit to £92.2m compared with £59.9m last year. In its full year results ended 29 February 2020, Boohoo reported a 44% increase in revenues to £1.2bn compared with £857m in the same period in 2019. Gross profit increased by…
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22 April
Moss Bros buyer fights to pull £22.6m offer
The Brigadier Acquisition Company is reportedly seeking to retract its £22.6m offer to takeover Moss Bros. The Moss Bros board announced that it had been informed that the potential buyer was now seeking a ruling from the City Takeover Panel in an update posted this morning (22 April). The clothing…
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21 April
Companies House suspends strike-offs amid Covid-19 crisis
Companies House has announced it has temporarily paused its strike off process to prevent companies being dissolved amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The government announced changes to Companies House enforcement last week (16 April), which gives businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak the time they need to update their records and…
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