Year: 2019
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Feb- 2019 -5 FebruaryHigh Street
Carpetright CFO to step down as sales fall
Carpetright has reported its like-for-like sales “remained negative” during the 13 week period ending 26 January and also revealed its CFO is to leave the company. In the trading update Carpetright said that “as anticipated” its UK like-for-like sales remained negative for the period, although the trend improved from that…
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5 FebruaryHigh Street
Oliver Bonas to open eight new stores in 2019
Fashion and jewellery retailer Oliver Bonas will open eight new stores in 2019, creating at least 80 new jobs as the firm enters new markets across the UK. The company said that “despite a turbulent retail climate”, Oliver Bonas has experienced “increasing demand” for its stores in new regions across…
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5 FebruaryEntertainment
HMV bought by Sunrise Records
HMV has been bought by Canadian record store chain Sunrise Records, the deal will save 100 stores and 1,487 jobs, while 27 stores are expected to shutter resulting in 455 redundancies. No price has been given for the entertainment retailer, with staff expected to be notified if their store is…
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5 FebruaryEconomy
Retail sales pick up in January
UK retail sales saw year-on-year growth of 2.2% in January following December’s report of the worst trading performance in a decade. According to the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Retail Sales Monitor, like-for-like sales saw an increase of 1.8% compared with the same month last year. Food items did well with…
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4 FebruaryAdvice
How UK retailers can make the most of Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year falls on the 5th of February this year and ushers in a week-long, national holiday in China. This major holiday, known as Golden Week, is a prime time for Chinese people to travel abroad, and the UK is one of their top destinations. Why is the UK…
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4 FebruaryHigh Street
Mike Ashley acquires Sofa.com
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has acquired Sofa.com for a “nominal sum”, adding yet another business to his growing portfolio of high street retailers. According to a report by Sky News, the acquisition will enable Ashley to add further Sofa.com concessions to the House of Fraser (HoF) chain he bought…
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4 FebruaryEntertainment
Canadian record shop owner ‘enters race’ for HMV
Doug Putman, the owner of Canadian record store chain, Sunrise Records, is said to be interested in purchasing HMV. The retail boss would rival Sports Direct owner, Mike Ashley, who has already placed a bid for the entertainment retailer. HMV administrators KPMG refused to comment on Putman’s interest, which was…
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4 FebruaryPeople Moves
Retail leads the way with female leadership appointments
The retail sector appointed the highest number of women to senior positions in 2018, according to the latest research from Korn Ferry. The research from the search agency, reported by the Telegraph, found that almost a quarter of the 44 senior appointments made in the retail sector last year were…
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4 FebruaryDepartment Stores
Debenhams to ‘close 20 stores’ in CVA plan
Debenhams could reveal plans to close 20 stores as this week, the embattled department store chain will announce it has secured a cash injection from its lenders. According to the Sunday Telegraph, Debenhams wants to reduce its store portfolio to 90 outlets over the next five years, resulting in the…
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1 FebruaryHigh Street
Oddbins falls into administration
Off licence chain Oddbins has fallen into administration with parent company European Food Brokers (EFB) blaming the deterioration of the high street, Brexit and “economic uncertainty”. Duff & Phelps has been appointed to run the business and help it to find a buyer. Oddbins has 45 outlets across the UK…
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