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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Aug- 2025 -28 AugustPeople Moves
BRC appoints Jo Whitfield as chairman-elect
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has appointed Jo Whitfield CBE as its next chair, succeeding Andy Higginson when his term ends on 2 October 2025. Whitfield has 25 years’ experience in retail, including senior roles at Matalan, the Co-operative Group and Asda. She is currently a non-executive and audit chair…
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28 AugustComment
How retailers can keep frontline staff from feeling undervalued and overstressed
In retail, the shop floor is where the customer experience comes to life. It’s where expectations are met — or missed. Yet for decades, frontline employees, the people most directly responsible for shaping that experience, have often been left without the tools, recognition, and support they need to thrive. For…
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28 AugustHigh Street
Holland & Barrett appoints Anthony Houghton as new CEO
Holland and Barrett has announced the appointment of Anthony Houghton as new group CEO, effective from the beginning of the company’s new financial year in October 2025. Houghton has been with the business since September 2018, first serving as group retail and property director, then as COO and most recently…
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22 AugustComment
Retail media: Hugh Stevens on the data that powers the future
Retail media has emerged from the periphery of marketing strategy into one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors in modern commerce. At the centre of that transformation is a growing recognition that first-party data—properly governed, connected, and activated—offers retailers and brands unprecedented opportunities to collaborate, personalise, and grow.…
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21 AugustHigh Street
Mama and Papas CEO to step down amid fresh growth plans
Mamas and Papas has announced that its chief executive officer, Nathan Williams, is to step down after seven years in the role, as the nursery brand sets out a new strategy focused on overseas expansion and digital investment. Williams, who joined the business in 2017, will remain in post while…
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21 AugustHigh Street
WHSmith lowers US profit forecast after £30m accounting overstatement
WHSmith has cut its profit forecast for its North American business after uncovering an accounting overstatement of around £30m. As a result, it now expects headline trading profit from North America to be about £25m for the year ending 31 August 2025, compared with previous market expectations of around £55m.…
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20 AugustDIY
Hobbycraft creates new sales channel with Hobbycraft TV launch
Hobbycraft is set to launch Hobbycraft TV, a dedicated video channel offering daily demonstrations and tutorials to support makers of all skill levels. The service will go live on Freeview Channel 97 from 7.30am on 4 September, and will also be available online at hobbycraft.co.uk/TV and on the brand’s YouTube…
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20 AugustPeople Moves
John Lewis appoints new chief digital and omnichannel officer
John Lewis has named Dom McBrien as its new chief digital and omnichannel officer, with the appointment set to take effect on 1 October. McBrien, who will sit on the John Lewis management board, joins with more than 20 years of experience in digital transformation. He was most recently chief…
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19 AugustHealth & Beauty
Applied Nutrition ups guidance as FY25 revenues rise 24%
Applied Nutrition has revealed that its revenues rose 24% to £107m for the year ended 31 July 2025. This increase is expected to be ahead of market expectations and was driven by a strong second half performance of around £60m in revenue. As a result of this, the company has…
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15 AugustSponsored Articles
Five forces reshaping UK fulfilment, and how brands can respond
In the UK, shifts in technology, consumer expectations, and economic pressure are driving structural change across the fulfilment sector – positioning it now as a core driver of customer experience and brand reputation. At Fidelity Fulfilment, we work with both fast-scaling DTC brands and some of the UK’s largest multichannel…
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