Board
This coverage highlights board-level developments shaping the UK retail industry, from executive appointments and leadership reshuffles to governance strategy and corporate direction. Retail Sector reports on boardroom changes across major retail brands, supermarkets, and e-commerce operators, analysing how leadership decisions influence company performance, culture, and market positioning. Coverage includes director appointments, succession planning, governance best practices, and strategic decision-making at the highest levels. For retail professionals, these insights illuminate how leadership dynamics drive operational change, investor confidence, and long-term growth across the sector.
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Mar- 2025 -7 MarchHigh Street
Boots owner sold to Sycamore Partners in $23.7bn deal
Walgreens Boots Alliance has announced that it has been acquired by American private equity firm Sycamore Partners in a deal worth up to $23.7bn (£18.3bn). The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter calendar year 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by WBA shareholders and the…
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6 MarchHigh Street
Pepco explores potential sale of Poundland amid trading challenges
Pepco has announced that it is “actively exploring” a potential sale of Poundland amid rising pressures on the business, and instead plans to focus on the Pepco brand as a single future format. The discount retail group said its “ultimate ambition” is to operate under a single Pepco format, which…
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5 MarchPeople Moves
Virgin Wines CFO retires after 22 years
Virgin Wines has announced that Graeme Weir is retiring from his role as chief financial officer and company secretary after 22 years. During his time at the company, Weird played a “huge” role in the growth of the business alongside CEO Jay Wright, including leading a private equity-backed buyout in…
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4 MarchEconomy
Shop price inflation remains at 0.7% despite surge in food prices
Shop price inflation remained in deflation at 0.7% in February, after also falling to -0.7% in January, according to data from the British Retail Consortium. However, this comes despite food inflation increasing to 2.1% year on year in February, an increase from the 1.6% rise in January and above the…
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3 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-3/3/25
Asda is set to scrap bonuses for over 10,000 managers as part of cost-cutting measures amid challenging trading conditions. The decision comes shortly after chairman Allan Leighton returned to lead the supermarket after more than two decades, aiming to steer a turnaround for the struggling retailer. Leighton has already initiated…
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3 MarchSupermarkets
Morrisons expands senior leadership team with new hires
Morrisons has announced the formal appointment of Martin Dawson as group retail director and the promotion of Charlotte Exell to online director. Alongside this, the supermarket has appointed Matt Heslop as director of convenience and wholesale, starting in early March 2025. Heslop has been at Lidl for over 20 years…
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3 MarchPeople Moves
Angling Direct adds former French Connection COO to its board
Angling Direct has announced the appointment of Neil Williams, the former chief operating officer of French Connection Group, as an independent non-executive director effective immediately. A chartered accountant who qualified at KPMG, Williams joins with extensive retail, consumer and public markets experience. He held his board role at French Connection…
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Feb- 2025 -27 FebruaryOnline & Digital
Ocado to cut R&D roles as losses narrow
Ocado has revealed it is set to reduce its research and development (R&D) workforce both in the UK and globally as part of its effort to return to profitability. This comes despite the fact Ocado posted a pre-tax loss of £374.5m for the year ended 1 December 2024, a slight…
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27 FebruarySupermarkets
EG Group profits surge 9% in FY24
EG Group has reported a 9% increase in EBITDA to $992m (£782.5m) in FY24 driven by significant contributions from its US and European divisions. Grocery and merchandise gross profit rose by 7% to $1.26bn (£994.1m), driven by a gross margin increase of 193bps to 31.1%. Meanwhile, foodservice gross profit was…
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26 FebruaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-26/2/25
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that one in 10 part-time retail jobs, equating to up to 160,000 roles, could be at risk over the next three years due to rising employment costs. The BRC highlighted that part-time jobs are particularly vulnerable to changes in employer National Insurance Contributions…
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