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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Apr- 2019 -26 April
Retail sales growth picks up for first time in five months
Retail sales grew for the first time since November 2018 in the year to April, according to the latest monthly Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Distributive Trades Survey. The survey of 110 firms, of which 55 were retailers, showed that sales volumes rose for the first time in five months,…
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26 April
Shop Direct protects 200 jobs with Raven Mill deal
Shop Direct has transferred its returns activity at its Raven Mill site over to logistics company Clipper Logistics in a move which will see 200 jobs safeguarded. The logistics firm will operate on behalf of Shop Direct at the 215,000 square foot site near Oldham, Lancashire. Clipper Logistics will operate…
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26 April
Amazon’s profits double in record results
Amazon.com has posted record profits of $3.6bn (£2.8bn) – up from last year’s $1.6bn (£1.2bn) – for the 13 weeks ended March 31 2019. The online retail giant’s net sales increased 17% to $59.7bn (£46.2bn) in the first quarter, compared with $51bn ($39bn) in 2018. Despite its record results, the…
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25 April
Shareholders approve JD Sports’ £90m Footasylum takeover
JD Sports has announced its £90.1m Footasylum takeover has been given the go-ahead by shareholders, after it was voted through at a meeting on 12 April. Over 78 million Footasylum shareholders voted for the JD Sports deal, which is said to represent around 75% of the retailer’s capital. Following the…
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25 April
CMA blocks Sainsbury’s-Asda merger
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has blocked the Sainsbury’s-Asda merger after finding it would lead to “increased prices in stores, online and at many petrol stations across the UK”. The merger was said to be worth around £12bn and would have seen the grocer’s leapfrog Tesco as the country’s…
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25 April
74,400 retail jobs lost in first three months of 2019
The retail sector saw a 2.4% year-on-year drop in the number of employees in the first quarter of this year, equating to a loss of 74,400 jobs. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), this is a higher reduction than the 2.2% drop seen in 2018. The trade organisation said…
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25 April
Online retail sees ‘subdued’ growth in March
Online retail recorded growth of just 5% year-on-year (YoY) in March, compared with 18.9% last year, according to the latest IMRG Capgemini eRetail Sales Index. While still positive growth, the “subdued performance” fell significantly below the three (+7.5%), six (+7.1%) and 12- (+10.2%) month rolling averages. Breaking it down further,…
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24 April
Primark HY profits surge 25%
Primark has seen its half-year operating profit jump 25% to £426m during the six months ending 2 March. Primark said the increase reflected “its continued selling space expansion and improved margins, which were driven not only by favourable exchange rates but also by better buying”. Sales at Primark were also…
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24 April
Boohoo revenues surge 48% in 2018
Online fashion retailer Boohoo has reported a 48% increase in revenues to £856.9m for the year ending 28 February 2019. Pre-tax profit also jumped 39% to £59.9m, and adjusted EBITDA increased to £84.5m, 9.9% of revenue, compared with the £56.9m reported the previous year. Additionally, its PrettyLittleThing and Nasty Gal…
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24 April
Majestic Wine could sell all UK stores as it moves online
Specialist wine retailer Majestic Wine could sell all 200 of its UK stores as the business prepares to move its operations online under the Naked Wines brand. The company has reportedly appointed investment bank Rothschild and Co to discuss options on a potential sale. Last month, the company announced its…
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