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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Mar- 2025 -27 March
Next raises outlook as FY profits top record £1bn
Next has reported that pre-tax profits have risen by 10.1% to £1bn for the first time in its history, with the group raising its full-year guidance for the coming year amid further strong trading. In the year to January 2025, full price sales rose by 5.8% while total group sales…
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27 March
Lakeland becomes latest bid target for Modella Capital
Homewares retailer Lakeland has become the latest takeover target of retail investor firm Modella Capital, Sky News has revealed. The investment firm, which owns Hobbycraft and The Original Factory Shop, is among a small number of parties trying to acquire a controlling stake in Lakeland. According to retail industry sources,…
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27 March
Campaign urges Next, M&S and JD Sports to pay real living wage
The likes of Axa and Scottish Widows are backing campaign group ShareAction in its effort to make major high street retailers such as Next, M&S and JD Sports increase their staff’s pay in line with a real living wage, The Guardian has reported. News of this initiative comes as there’s…
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26 March
Today’s news in brief-26/3/25
John Lewis is close to securing approval for its housing project in Reading, transforming a former customer collection facility into 215 homes, including 49% family-sized units and 10% affordable rentals. The development, featuring shared workspaces, a gym, and communal areas, is part of an £80m investment in rental housing. A…
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26 March
Chancellor resists calls for business relief in Spring Statement
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has resisted calls from businesses for relief ahead of the upcoming tax changes this April, as part of her Spring Statement today (26 March). UK businesses had been hopeful the chancellor would raise the relief rate for retail, hospitality, and leisure after cutting it to 40% in…
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26 March
Frasers ups stake in AO World to 25%
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has revealed it has increased its stake in fashion retailer Brown to 25.01%, according to the latest holding documents filed by the company. It now holds 145,148,997 voting rights in the company. The news comes as the electrical retailer AO raised its full-year forecast to between…
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26 March
Inflation ‘unexpectedly’ falls to 2.8% in February
Inflation unexpectedly fell to 2.8% in February in much welcome news for the chancellor ahead of the Spring Statement later today (26 March). A fall in the prices of clothing had the biggest impact on inflation in February, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).…
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26 March
Virgin Wines targets £100m revenues through ‘turbocharging’ growth plan
Virgin Wines has unveiled plans to “turbocharge” its growth and deliver £100m in annual revenue over the next five years through a new growth strategy, whilst the group hailed a “resilient” performance in its H1 results. The plan, which aims to deliver this revenue growth at a 7% EBITDA margin,…
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26 March
Uniqlo’s popularity with Gen-Z boosts FY profits by 57% to €221.7m
Uniqlo’s European operations has seen its profits jump by 57.5% to €221.7m (£185.4m) in the year to 31 August 2024, thanks to the retailer’s popularity with Gen-Z shoppers. Turnover at the Japanese clothing retailer has continued to increase year-on-year by 30%, meaning that its gross profit margin has been maintained…
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26 March
Frasers expands Sports Direct in Southeast Asia and India
Frasers Group has announced the expansion of its existing partnership with MAP Active to launch Sports Direct in five new markets across Southeast Asia and India. The retailer will utilise MAP Active’s infrastructure, local expertise and distributed brands to position Sports Direct as the premier sports retailer in the region. …
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