Year: 2019

UK retail sector bounces back in March

In the three months to March 2019, the quantity bought in retail sales increased by 1.6% compared with the previous quarter in 2018, according to new figures from the ONS. The sales increase has been attributed to “sustained growth” throughout the first three months of the year, and all store…

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Kuwait-based investors acquire 50% stake of Intu Derby

Intu properties and Cale Street Investments LP, an investment firm backed by the Kuwait Investment Office, London, have announced the establishment of a 50/50 joint venture for the Intu Derby shopping centre. The real estate investment firm will acquire for cash the 50% interest for consideration which values their share…

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Why brands should focus on the long game and not an Easter miracle

As we all look forward to the long Easter weekend, retailers will be particularly excited. Many of us will use one of our extra days of freedom to indulge in a little retail therapy – whether on or offline. But my advice to retailers and their marketers this Easter is…

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Sports Direct sells flagship Dublin store for £17.3m

Sports Direct has reportedly sold its flagship Dublin store for €20m (£17.3m) in an off-market sale-and-leaseback deal to an unnamed investor. According to the Irish Times, under the deal, the retailer will continue to occupy the premises while paying the owner an annual rent of €950,000 (£823,802) for the next…

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Google it, Uber it, Laybuy it

New Zealand’s largest buy now, pay later service, Laybuy has officially launched in the UK  with footwear retailer Footasylum confirmed as its first major retail partner. Laybuy allows consumers to spread the cost of purchases over six interest-free payments, with the first being made at the point of sale. The…

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Morrisons granted Supreme Court data breach appeal

Morrisons has been granted permission to appeal to the Supreme Court after it was found responsible for a data breach which affected more than 100,000 employees. The latest appeal follows the October 2018 decision by the Court of Appeal to uphold the original verdict of the High Court on vicarious…

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Arket launches recycling scheme for ‘unwanted’ clothes and shoes

Fashion retailer Arket has announced a new recycling scheme for unwanted clothes and shoes, due to launch at the end of April at all of its stores. Customers will be able to bring “unwanted textiles” to any store, where the products will be taken care of and returned to the…

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How retailers can make the most of gifting occasions this spring

Spring is a key sale-boosting period for the retail sector. Indeed, recent data suggests that Easter alone is worth almost £600m to retailers. That’s in addition to general ‘spring’ shopping occasions which are based around the start of a new season – for example, families looking to spring clean the…

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Shopping centre landlords offer free space to retailers

Revo, the organisation that represents the retail community, has launched a new competition to give budding retail entrepreneurs free space in shopping centres and help with marketing. The organisation driving retail placemaking across Britain and Ireland has launched a major new campaign to find the next generation of retail talent…

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Over 100 Whitbread jobs face axe following Costa sale

Around 100 jobs are expected to be cut at the head office of Whitbread following the sale of Costa Coffee to Coca Cola for £3.9bn. According to reports by The Times, a consultation involving around 10% of the company’s head office staff was expected to be concluded this month, however…

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