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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Feb- 2020 -17 February
West country vacancy rates hits double-digits in 2020
The west country has seen the largest increase in retail vacancy rates in the UK, rising from 9.6% in 2016 to 11.2% in 2020, according to new data from Usdaw. The trade union said in the past decade the number of people visiting high streets in the west country dropped…
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17 February
Adidas to appoint Thomas Rabe as new chairman
Sportswear brand Adidas has said in a statement it intends to appoint Thomas Rabe as its new chairman, following a board meeting last week. Rabe, who has held the position of deputy chairman since May 2019, would succeed Igor Landau as chairman, who spent over 15 years at the company.…
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14 February
UK food and grocery market set to be worth £174bn by 2024
The UK food and grocery market is set to grow by 15% between 2019 and 2024 to £174.5bn, according to data and analytics company GlobalData. However, the new research from the company suggests that ‘Big Four’ grocers Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and ASDA are set to lose out on a further…
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14 February
M&S to shutter two distribution centres putting almost 700 jobs at risk
Marks and Spencer has announced plans to shutter two of its distribution centres in spring 2021, putting nearly 700 jobs at risk. The affected sites are the Thorncliffe and Long Eaton distribution centres, which are operated by XPO and DHL respectively, and each employed around 330 staff. It comes amid…
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14 February
Aldi ups bag for life prices amid new plastic bag reduction initiatives
Aldi has launched new initiatives to reduce the volume of plastic bags sold in its stores and to provide reusable and recyclable alternatives including upping the cost for a ‘bag for life’. Aldi is increasing the price of its flexi-loop ‘bags for life’ up from 9p to 15p to “encourage”…
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14 February
Frasers Group backs BRC’s calls for government review of business taxes
Frasers Group has backed the campaign by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and 52 other retailers calling for the government to take urgent action on business rates. In a letter to now former chancellor Sajid Javid, which was signed by retailers including Debenhams, Harrods, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Primark…
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13 February
Forever 21 rescued by landlords in £62m deal
Two of Forever 21’s largest landlords have reportedly been given the go-ahead to acquire the company out of bankruptcy in a $80m (£62m) deal. According to The Times, a bankruptcy judge has approved the deal which will see Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners link up with Sports Illustrated…
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13 February
Retail footfall bounces back in January after quiet December
Footfall in non-food stores in the UK fell by just 0.5% year-on-year in January according to Ipsos Retail Performance’s latest Retail Traffic Index (RTI). The retail insights company had originally forecast a footfall decline of 1.9% for the month, and said that after such a “disappointing” December, January’s footfall comes…
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13 February
Majestic Wines appoints new CFO
Specialist drinks retailer Majestic Wine has announced the appointment of Alex Jablonowski as its chief financial officer. Jablonowski joins from the Oasis and Warehouse Group, and previously held positions at Hamleys, Tesco and Costa Coffee. The appointment follows a series of changes to the retail board at Majestic, as the…
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12 February
Dunelm profits surge in half-year results
Homeware retailer Dunelm has reported a 19.4% increase in profits before tax to £83.6m for the half-year period ended 28 December 2019. Operating profit for the period was £87.6m, an increase of 23.9%, and reflected higher sales and improved gross margin delivery, as well as a “£1.3m benefit from the…
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