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.
-
Feb- 2019 -26 February
Laura Ashley faces £20m takeover bid
Struggling retail company Laura Ashley could be bought out by investment firm Flacks Group, it has been confirmed. The investment company released a statement in response to speculative media reports, which suggested there would be a possible buyout of the retailer. Laura Ashley denied the claims on Monday 25 February…
Read More » -
26 February
N Brown Group appoints Steve Johnson as new CEO
Online retailer N Brown Group has appointed Steve Johnson as CEO with immediate effect. Johnson was appointed interim CEO in September 2018, having previously acted as CEO of financial services for the group. He joined N Brown from Shop Direct, where he was financial services marketing and product director for…
Read More » -
26 February
Angling Direct acquires Chapmans Angling for £1.4m
Angling Direct, the specialist fishing tackle and equipment retailer, has acquired fishing tackle retailer Chapmans Angling for £1.4m payable in cash and includes stock at Valuation. Chapmans Angling, which has two stores in Scunthorpe and Hull, generated revenues of over £3m and profit before tax of £43,000 last year. Angling Direct…
Read More » -
25 February
Hammerson reports £268m loss and eyes further disposals
Shopping centre owner Hammerson has reported a loss of £268.1m in its 2018 FY results, also announcing it aims to make £500m in disposals this year. For the period ending 31 December the group saw its revenues drop 9% to £292m, Hammerson said the loss follows “a tough year particularly…
Read More » -
25 February
Primark owner reports 4% sales boost for H1 2019
Associated British Foods (AFB), which owns Primark, has announced that sales at the retailer are expected to be 4% ahead of last year for the 24 weeks to 2 March 2019, driven by increased retail selling space. The group said the results will be partially offset by a 2% decline…
Read More » -
25 February
Jack Wills to sell four stores in order to cut costs
Fashion retailer, Jack Wills is to sell four stores in order to make up for a store expansion which saw it increase its stores by a quarter, despite the fact it was making an underlying loss of £11m in 2017. Jack Wills is looking to assign leases to new tenants…
Read More » -
22 February
Online retail records its ‘worst January sales growth’
Online retail recorded its worst January sales growth in three years last month, as the industry’s poor recent sales performance continued into the new year, according to the IMRG Capgemini eRetail Sales Index. E-commerce saw a 7% year-on-year increase which was slightly above the three-month average of 6.3% year-on-year, however…
Read More » -
22 February
January posts lowest footfall decline in three years
January footfall declined 0.8% according to the latest data from Ipsos Retail Performance – the lowest decline in three years. Ipsos said the figures indicate that Britain’s shoppers “are getting on with the certainties of everyday living” despite the uncertainties of Brexit.Further figures showed that year-on-year deficits over three…
Read More » -
22 February
Martin Newman announces DownYourHighStreet.com investment
Retail expert, Martin Newman has announced he has invested in e-commerce platform, DownYourHighStreet.com, bringing its told investment raised this funding round to £272,060, 81% more than its target. The platform, created specifically for independent bricks and mortar retailers to grow their e-commerce business, will officially launch in June and currently…
Read More » -
22 February
Asda named ‘worst’ for in-store and online offerings
‘Big Four’ grocer Asda has been rated as the worst supermarket for both its in-store and online offerings, according to a survey of 12,000 Which? members. According to the consumer association, Asda was left “languishing at the bottom” of both its in-store and online rankings, with scores of 56% and…
Read More »
