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 -7 April
Waitrose reverses decision on controversial ‘time bank’ scheme
Waitrose has made a u-turn on its controversial ‘time bank’ scheme which expected employees self-isolating without symptoms and unable to work from home to make up the time at a later date. However, a Waitrose spokesperson said partners will no longer be required to ‘time bank’ any of their time…
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7 April
Clarks confirms ‘small number’ of permanent closures
Footwear retailer Clarks has confirmed it is to close a “small number of stores’ following a review of its store estate. The permanent closures are said to be unrelated to the current coronavirus pandemic, with the stores selected from its 367 strong portfolio already chosen due to having leases set…
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7 April
Tesco to launch NHS Nightingale pop-up stores
‘Big 4’ grocer Tesco has announced plans to open pop-up convenience stores at NHS Nightingale sites across the UK, amid the coronavirus pandemic. The NEC in Birmingham has been selected as Tesco’s first NHS Nightingale Hospital pop-up store, which is due to open later this week. Discussions are also in…
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7 April
WH Smith raises £166m through share placing
WH Smith has raised £166m through a share placing in efforts to shore up its finances amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A total of 15,751,826 new ordinary shares were placed at 1050p per share, with existing and new investors. The move raised a total of £165.9m for the group. The…
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6 April
Debenhams appoints FRP as administrator
Debenhams has announced its intent to appoint an administrator in order to “protect” the business from creditors during the coronavirus outbreak. It is believed the move will work to prevent liquidation while its 142 UK stores remain closed in line with government advice amid the ongoing pandemic. The news closely…
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6 April
Consumer confidences slumps to lowest level since records began
Gfk’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index has decreased drastically by 25 points between the first two and last two weeks of March, falling to –34. According to the market research organisation, it’s the biggest fall since records began in January 1974. The ‘Personal Financial’ index fell by six points to -4…
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6 April
Temporary store closures due to coronavirus lead to 14% drop in retail jobs
The UK job market has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, with retail jobs dropping by 14% in March, when comparing data with the previous year, according to the latest report from CV-Library. The study, which explores job market data from March 2020 and compares this with figures from…
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6 April
WH Smith to raise equity amid ongoing pandemic
WH Smith has announced its plans to issue equity in order to secure a £120m lending facility amid the ongoing pandemic. Due to the “uncertain” period of trading, the group plans to secure the loan in order to strengthen its balance sheet, working capital and liquidity position and mitigate the…
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6 April
Aldi Ireland appoints Niall O’Connor as group managing director
Aldi Ireland has announced the appointment of Niall O’Connor as its new group managing director (GMD). O’Connor will be responsible for all of Aldi’s activities in Ireland, including its multi-million-euro store-opening programme and Irish buying office. He has been a senior executive with Aldi in Ireland for almost 20 years…
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3 April
Debenhams readying to appoint administrators amid Covid-19
Department store chain Debenhams is reportedly set to enter administration for the second time in a year in order to protect the business from creditors during the coronavirus outbreak. According to Sky News, the embattled retailer could file for administration as early as next week, with ‘Big Four’ accountancy firm…
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