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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Jul- 2019 -22 July
Homebase close to buying out Bathstore
DIY retailer Homebase is reportedly closing in on acquiring bathroom retailer Bathstore, according to The Telegraph. The company entered administration last month, with accounting firm BDO, after it failed to find a buyer for the business, placing 500 jobs and 135 stores at risk. It has not been confirmed whether…
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22 July
Philip Day places bid for Jack Wills
Edinburgh Woollen Mill owner Philip Day has put in an initial bid to acquire fashion retailer Jack Wills. It has also been reported that the company’s owner BlueGem is considering bids from other groups, including Marquee Brands – owner of Ben Sherman, Sports Direct and Johan Eliasch, owner of sportswear…
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22 July
Bluegem sells 40% stake in Liberty London
Private equity firm Bluegem has sold its 40% stake in the British brand and flagship department store Liberty London. The deal which is worth £300m was initiated after a secondary recapitalisation led by Glendower Capital, a global secondary private equity manager. Bluegem acquired Liberty back in 2010 when the department…
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22 July
Former Ted Baker boss considering private equity buy-out
Ray Kelvin, founder and former CEO of Ted Baker, is rumoured to be considering a private equity buy-out of the company, according to the Mail on Sunday. The move would take the retailer private under its current management, and comes after Kelvin resigned from his position as CEO and director…
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19 July
Microsoft reports Q4 revenues of £26bn despite gaming slump
Microsoft has revealed its total revenues for the fourth quarter jumped 12% to $33.7bn (£26.7bn), despite struggles at its gaming division. For the three month period ending 30 June, the technology company also recorded a 20% increase in operating net income to $12.4bn (£9.9bn). Microsoft attributed the growth to the…
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19 July
Waitrose to close seven stores putting 677 jobs at risk
Waitrose and Partners has announced it is to axe seven stores, leaving 677 jobs at risk. The retailer said it has exchanged contracts for the sale of four shops to other parties, including discount grocer Lidl, which will acquire the group’s Bromley, Oadby and Wollaton stores. The party acquiring Waitrose’s…
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19 July
Sainsbury’s to open the UK’s first signing store
Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s is to open the first sign language store in the UK, at a store in Bath, as part of the company’s 150th anniversary celebrations. ‘Signsbury’s’ will be open for four days from the 18 – 21 July and will see colleagues sign several common words and phrases…
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19 July
Capital and Regional appoints former Debenhams director
Retail property investors Capital and Regional, has appointed former Debenhams director of group property as its new commercial director. Prior to taking the role, he worked at the company as a consultant, and has since been working alongside its senior leadership team to support the company’s community strategy. Hadfield will…
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18 July
Online retail sales bounce back in June
Online retail sales rose by 8.5% year-on-year, the strongest growth this year, according to the latest IMRG Capgemini eRetail Sales Index. Sales bounced back after a slump in May, which saw online sales suffer their worst growth on record at +1.9%. Clothing recorded the highest growth so far this year…
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18 July
Shop Direct appoints Boots exec as group trading director
Shop Direct has appointed Guy Farmer as group trading director, and will join the business in September and report to managing director for retail Sam Perkins. Farmer is currently vice president and global retail own brand director at Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA). During eight years at WBA, Farmer has led…
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