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 -15 July
Retail footfall ‘slumps’ in June
Footfall declined by 2.9% in June, attributed to the “exceptional and ongoing disruptive political and economic period”, according to retail intelligence firm Springboard. On a three-month basis, footfall decreased by 2.4%, and the six and 12–month averages were found to be -1.3% and -1.7% respectively. High street footfall also declined…
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15 July
Sports Direct delays FY results amid House of Fraser ‘complexities’
Shares in Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct have fallen by 11% in early trading this morning after it delayed its full-year results citing “complexities” around its House of Fraser acquisition. The results, which were due on Thursday, have been delayed due to “the current uncertainty as to the future trading performance…
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15 July
Sports Direct increases stake in Game to 84%
Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct has moved a step closer to purchasing video game retailer Game, after it increased its stake in the company to 84%. The retail group has also put forward an application for Game’s shares to be suspended from trading on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), and for…
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12 July
Hobbycraft revenues exceed £100m in full year results
Arts and crafts retailer Hobbycraft has reported a 5.4% increase in total revenue to £177.7m for the year ending 17 February 2019. The increase was driven by “strong” e-commerce growth of 22.7% during the period, and adjusted EBITDA also increased by 27.8% from £9.5m to £12.2m. Five new stores also…
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12 July
Government to go ahead with UK digital services tax
The UK government has announced plans to go ahead with a digital services tax aimed at large tech companies such as Amazon, Facebook and Google. The news comes on the same day that the US government threatened to impose tariffs on France over a similar tax levy. The 2% tax,…
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12 July
Marks and Spencer’s fashion boss departs
Marks and Spencer has announced the departure of Jill McDonald as managing director of clothing and home after two years in the role. The departure follows a challenging year for the one of Britain’s largest retailers, after pre-tax profits fell by 10%, clothing and home sales fell by 3.6% year-on-year,…
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12 July
Vans to move into former Miss Selfridge flagship site
Footwear brand Vans have signed a leased to takeover the site previously occupied by Miss Selfridge. Located in Oxford Street, London, Arcadia will remain the landlords of the site. Miss Selfridge will be moving into the basement of Topshop next door. In June, a CVA was approved for Arcadia Group…
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11 July
DFS shares fall over ‘Brexit uncertainty’ despite sales growth
Furniture retailer DFS saw shares drop by nearly 4% in early trading today (11 June), despite a 17% increase in like-for-like sales for the year ending 30 June 2019. It came after the retailer warned investors that it remains “mindful” of the “volatile” political and economic backdrop, and how it…
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11 July
Sainsbury’s to open UK’s first no and low alcohol pub in London
Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has announced it is opening the UK’s first ever no and low alcohol pub. The Clean Vic No and Low Alcohol pub will open its doors on New Oxford Street from 24 to 25 July, serving a range of beers, wines and mocktails which are all entirely…
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11 July
Laybuy announces partnership with Alexachung
Laybuy, the buy now, pay later service, has announced the fashion brand Alexachung as its second major UK partner. Laybuy allows consumers to spread the cost of purchases over six interest-free payments, with the first being made at the point of sale. The partnership will see the option to pay…
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