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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Feb- 2019 -19 February
John Lewis shortlists six start-ups for its innovation programme
The John Lewis Partnership has shortlisted six retail start-ups to its innovation programme JLAB, who could “transform how we shop in the future”. Over 160 new start-ups and more established businesses entered John Lewis’ ‘experiential retail challenge’ with the chance of being selected to develop their ideas with the company.…
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19 February
Game and Argos’ market share boosted by major game releases
Game and Argos have reported increased growth in physical entertainment market shares for the 12 weeks to 13 January 2019, growing faster than the rate of large online retailers such as Amazon and Ebay. According to the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel, sales of games, videos and music at Game…
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19 February
Majority of shoppers say Brexit won’t affect spending
A survey of over 2,000 consumers conducted by PwC has shown that more than 60% of respondents said Brexit will not and has not affected how much they will spend for the year ahead. The findings in PwC’s 2019 Retail Outlook revealed respondents in the north east of the country…
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18 February
BRC hits out at HMRC over ‘unreasonable’ pay rules
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has demanded HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) ceases action against retailers who have breached pay rules deemed “no longer fit for purpose” by the trade body. Retailers called the minimum wage regulations and chasing from the taxman “unreasonable” while the regulations are under review by…
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18 February
Philip Day eyes M&S and House of Fraser stores
Retail entrepreneur and Edinburgh Wooden Mill boss Philip Day is reportedly in talks to acquire a small number of Marks and Spencer and House of Fraser stores that are set to close. According to the Sunday Telegraph, Day is aiming to turn the stores into branches of his Days department…
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18 February
Canada Goose revenue up 50% in 2018
Fashion retailer Canada Goose has reported a 50.2% increase in total revenue to $399.3m (£309.1m) in 2018, compared with $265.9m the previous year. Wholesale revenue increased to $164m (£126m) from $134m (£103m), with the increase primarily attributed to higher order values from existing partners, coupled with earlier shipment timing relative…
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18 February
McColls profits halve due to ‘supply chain disruption’
Convenience retailer McColls profits before tax dropped from £18.4m to £7.9m in the 52 weeks to 25 November 2018, impacted by the administration of wholesaler Palmer and Harvey. The wholesaler worked with 90,000 retailers in the UK before it collapsed in November 2017 with debts of £65m. McColls’ total revenue…
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15 February
Retail sales bounce back in January
UK retail sales saw a year-on-year increase of 4.8% in January, the highest jump since December 2016. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that sales volumes rose by 1% following a 0.7% decline in December. The average store prices slowed to 0.4% year-on-year, the lowest price increase…
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15 February
Amazon ‘to launch checkout-free shops’ in London
Online retail giant Amazon has reportedly secured property to open checkout-free stores in London, making it the first openings of the concept outside of America. According to trade publication The Grocer, the sites will compete with food outlets such as Eat and M&S and will be located in areas with…
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15 February
Prada creates diversity council after blackface scandal
Prada has created a diversity council headed by American artist Theaster Gates and film director Ava DuVernay, after it was at the centre of a blackface scandal in December. The luxury fashion house said it was forming the council to “elevate voices of colour within the company and fashion industry…
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