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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Mar- 2020 -17 March
ScS delays full results amid Covid-19 developments
Furniture retailer ScS has announced that gross profit is expected to increase 0.3% to £71.7m during the first half of the year, but has delayed the release of its full results due to recent coronavirus measures introduced. In its upcoming interim results, it also expects gross sales to increase 0.5%…
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17 March
Colliers calls for Rates Deferment Scheme introduction amid COVID-19
Business rates experts at Colliers International have called for the Government to introduce a three-month or even six-month business rates deferment scheme to help businesses impacted by the coronavirus. It follows last Wednesday’s (11 March) Budget announcement, which Colliers said was “largely applauded” for the support given to smaller retail,…
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17 March
H&M sales increase despite being ‘negatively impacted’ by Covid-19
Fashion retailer H&M has reported a rise in sales in its first-quarter results, despite being “negatively impacted” by the outbreak of Covid-19. For the period ended 1 December 2019, H&M reported an 8% increase in net sales to SEK 54,988m (£46,609m) compared with £51m in the year prior. H&M said…
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17 March
Carphone Warehouse shutters stores, 2,900 redundancies expected
Dixons Carphone has announced that all UK standalone Carphone Warehouse stores will close their doors next month. The 531 stores, which represent 8% of Dixons Carphone’s total selling space, will shutter on 3 April 2020. The group will now focus on selling mobile devices and connectivity through its shop-in-shops in…
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17 March
Rethinking Retail: How to put customers at the heart of your strategy
How can you accelerate your in-store sales? In HappyOrNot’s upcoming webinar, discover the science behind purchasing behaviours, the ways you can increase your conversions by focusing on customer experience, and as a bonus, San Francisco 49ers will share how they have achieved a 98.99% customer loyalty. Key Details: When: March 24th – 15:00…
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16 March
Laura Ashley on the verge of collapse, reports reveal
Fashion retailer Laura Ashley could call in administrators by the end of March unless it receives a £15m funding lifeline from Hilco Capital, reports have revealed. According to Sky News, Hilco Capital is currently in “advanced” negotiations with the embattled retailer, but administrators could be put on standby in the…
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16 March
Primark owner shares dive after it warns of coronavirus impact
Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF Foods) has seen its shares dive in early trading after it announced that the closure of its European stores due to coronavirus could leave a hole of £190m in sales. Shares in the company dropped by 100% this morning (16 March) to £0.01p per…
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16 March
UK supermarkets appeal for ‘considerate’ spending
British food retailers have written a joint letter urging customers to practice “considerate” spending amid the coronavirus outbreak. The letter was collectively released by such retailers as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Aldi, Lidl and more, and has been published in national newspapers on Sunday (15 March) and today…
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16 March
Bill Gates steps down from Microsoft board
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has announced that he is stepping down from the company’s board of directors to “dedicate more time to his philanthropic priorities.” Gate’s priorities include global health, development, education, and his “increasing engagement” in tackling climate change, but will continue to serve as technology advisor to CEO…
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13 March
Intu warns of its future amid £2bn loss
Shopping centre owner Intu has warned of its future if it cannot raise extra funds, after it reported a £2bn loss for the year ending 31 December 2019. In the update announcing the news, the owner of Intu Lakeside and Manchester’s Old Trafford centre, said there is “material uncertainty” in…
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