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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Aug- 2019 -20 August
Supermarket growth remains flat over summer
Supermarket growth remained flat for the 12 week period to 11 August, with all chains barring discount brands Aldi, Lidl and Iceland reporting a drop in sales. Sales at Asda and Tesco who maintain the largest share of the market, shrunk by 1.5% and 1.6% respectively for the period, according…
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20 August
House of Fraser extends administration period to 2020
Embattled department store retailer House of Fraser (HoF) has had its administration period extended to 10 August 2020, after being approved by its creditors. According to a report by Drapers, documents on the process of the administration will be released later on this week by ‘Big Four’ accounting firm EY.…
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20 August
Whittard of Chelsea CEO departs
Tea and coffee specialist Whittard of Chelsea’s chief executive Mark Dunhill has resigned, with finance chief Nathan Smith taking the role. Dunhill tended his resignation on 31 July after five years at the retailer. He led the restructure of the retailer, and was involved in the “revitalisation” of its product…
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19 August
Co-op urges councils to speed-up home food waste collections
The Co-op is urging local councils to speed-up the implementation of food waste collections from homes as approximately 1,000 tonnes a day ends up in landfills. Currently 156 English councils (48%) do not have a kerbside food waste collection meaning that food waste in these areas is going to landfill.…
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19 August
Over 600 JD employees to protest against break reductions
Over 600 employees at footwear retailer JD Sports have signed up to a grievance against the company’s proposals to reduce the number of breaks in 12 hours shifts at its distribution centre in Rochdale. The number of breaks during a typical 12-hour night shift has reduced from three to two,…
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19 August
Ideal Shopping Direct wins ITV contract
Multi-channel retailer Ideal Shopping Direct has secured a deal to air its two flagship home shopping channel brands on ITV’s late night broadcasts. Ideal World and Create and Craft will make the move to the UK’s largest commercial channel, boosting viewing figures by five million people. The deal follows a…
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16 August
Sports Direct shutters eight Jack Wills stores
Sports Direct has announced the closure of eight Jack Wills stores, according to a report by the Financial Times. The affected shops are located in Marlborough, Derby, Reigate, Rock, Tunbridge Wells, Durham, Kingston and St Albans. Sports Direct acquired Jack Wills from administration on 6 August, after administrators KPMG accepted…
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16 August
Next to replace Debenhams as Ted Baker childrenswear partner
Ted Baker has entered into a product licence agreement with Next to produce and sell its childrenswear collections. Under the agreement, which will run for an initial five-year period starting from 2020, Next will create and sell Ted Baker childrenswear products spanning baby, boys’ and girls’ clothing, shoes and accessories…
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15 August
Homebase appoints Ian Penney as director of Bathstore
Homebase has appointed Ian Penney as director of Bathstore, after the bathroom chain was brought out of administration last month. As director, Penney will take direct management responsibility for all aspects of the Bathstore business, including the concession roll out into Homebase, and digital offerings. Having started his career as…
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15 August
Westfield reports footfall rise in July
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, owners of shopping centre chain Westfield has reported a rise in footfall in July, with almost eight million shoppers visiting its London centres in Stratford and White City. Westfield said it was “bucking the trend” in the retail market, as shopping centre footfall continues to fall, dropping by 3.1%…
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