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 -16 April
JD Sports reports ‘record’ 15.4% profits jump
Sportswear retailer JD Sports has reported a 15.4% increase in pre-tax profits to £339.9m for the year ending 2 February 2019. Total like-for-like sales grew by 6% for global Sports Fashion fascias, against a backdrop of “widely reported retail challenges” in the group’s core UK market. The retailer also recorded…
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15 April
Harvey’s scolded over delivery claims
Furniture retailer, Harvey’s has been reprimanded by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over claims of “guaranteed Christmas delivery”. A complainant questioned whether the claims, which were followed by the words “selected items only” in smaller text, were “misleading” and could be substantiated. In response to the claims Harvey’s said it…
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15 April
Mike Ashley warned over plans for retail ‘oligopoly’
Former Marks and Spencer boss Lord Stuart Rose has warned Mike Ashley over plans for a retail ‘oligopoly’, following his attempted acquisition of embattled department store chain Debenhams. According to a report by Aol.com, Rose said he would “think twice about building an empire of high street chains”, and he…
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15 April
Debenhams CEO expected to step down
Debenhams CEO Sergio Bucher is expected to step down in the next few days, after lenders took control of the embattled department store’s chain last week. A source close to Bucher told the BBC: “Having stayed on and got the refinancing in place, Sergio thinks now would be the right…
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15 April
Intu appoints new independent non-executive director
Shopping centre owner Intu has announced the appointment of Cheryl Millington as an independent non-executive director. The appointment will take effect from the conclusion of Intu’s AGM on 3 May 2019 with Millington becoming a member of Intu’s remuneration, audit and nomination and review committees. Millington is currently a non-executive…
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15 April
Springboard predicts Easter weekend footfall to ‘bounce back’
According to retail experts Springboard, Easter weekend UK footfall is forecast to rise by +2.1%, bringing a “sigh of relief” to high streets and retail parks in what has been a challenging year. The forecast expects a “bounce back” over the key trading period from what was a poor Easter…
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12 April
Louis Vuitton owner sees revenues jump 16% in first quarter
LVMH, which owns luxury fashion retailer Louis Vuitton, has reported a 16% increase in revenues to €12.5bn (£10.8bn) for the first quarter of 2019. Like-for-like sales increased by 11% compared with the same period in 2018, and shares in the group also jumped by 3.3% to €340.50 in early trading…
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12 April
Uniqlo operator issues profit warning
Uniqlo operator, Fast Retailing, has issued a profit warning after it was forced into heavy discounting on its winter range caused by warmer than expected weather. Fast Retailing forecast an operating profit of ¥260bn (£1.79bn) for Uniqlo in the full year leading up to August, down ¥10bn (£69m) according to…
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12 April
March sees first YOY non-food footfall rise
March saw the first year-on-year rise in footfall in non-food stores for over two years rising by 1.6% since February, according to Ipsos’ Retail Performance Retail Traffic Index. Average weekly footfall was also up on the previous month, by 4.4% and was up across all parts of the UK. Ipsos…
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12 April
Bonmarche: Philip Day offer ‘undervalues’ business
Womenswear retailer Bonmarche has said Philip Day’s £5.7m acquisition of the company “materially undervalues” the business and its future prospects. Spectre Holdings, an entity wholly owned by Day, announced the acquisition of more than half of the retailer’s shares on 2 April. He made an offer of 11.445p per share…
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