Competition and Markets Authority
-
Jun- 2025 -19 JuneFeatures
The price of stars: what the DMCC Act means for fake reviews
At one point online reviews used to be a grey area, but with the arrival of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, the UK has taken a decisive step into a new enforcement regime. Fake reviews, paid praise, and review hijacking, which have long been brushed off as…
Read More » -
9 JuneOnline & Digital
Amazon to take action on catalogue abuse following CMA probe
Amazon Europe has signed undertakings committing to enhance its existing systems for tackling fake reviews and catalogue abuse, following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). In 2021, the CMA launched an investigation into Amazon and Google for their failure to remove fake reviews. Subsequently, Amazon has pledged…
Read More » -
May- 2025 -28 MayHigh Street
Pets at Home FY profits rise 14% to £120m despite flat revenues
Pets at Home has seen its profit before tax rise 14% to £120.6m for the year ended 27 March 2025, following strong growth in its veterinary sector. Its vet group consumer revenue was up 13%, with record sales supported by higher visits, average transaction values and significant growth in Care…
Read More » -
20 MayDIY
Topps Tiles sees interim HY sales and profits boost
Topps Tiles has seen its interim sales and profits improve over the 26-week period ending 29 March 2025, amid “good progress” in its five key growth areas. It reported that adjusted sales increased 4.1% to £127.8m, with an improving trend across the first and second quarters. Adjusted gross profit was…
Read More » -
14 MayFeatures
A Lidl bit more: Why is Lidl investing in expansion?
On 28 April Lidl announced that it is going to invest £500m in store expansion, aiming to open more than 40 stores in the process. The budget supermarket has been rapidly gaining market share in the UK hitting a record 8.1% in May 2024, according to data from Kantar. With…
Read More » -
Apr- 2025 -22 AprilFeatures
How retailers can tackle ESG risks amid greenwashing crackdown
Starting from April, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) gains new powers to fine businesses for misleading greenwashing claims. With fines of up to 10% of global turnover or £300,000 for breaches, this crackdown underscores the rising importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risk management. Retailers, particularly those involved…
Read More » -
7 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-7/4/25
US President Donald Trump has defended his newly announced tariffs, describing them as necessary “medicine” to address trade imbalances. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump warned that governments would need to pay “a lot of money” to lift the sweeping tariffs, which include a baseline 10% levy on imports from…
Read More » -
7 AprilSupermarkets
CMA to reconsider Lidl and Aldi’s restrictive land clause exemption
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is reportedly considering an overhaul of rules that currently restrict major supermarkets from opening new stores in areas dominated by Aldi and Lidl, The Telegraph has reported. The regulator’s current “restrictive” land clauses mean supermarkets must allow rival stores to open nearby without opposition…
Read More » -
Mar- 2025 -31 MarchHigh Street
Pets at Home warns of profit drop in FY26
Pets at Home has revealed that it expects its retail profits to drop in FY26 to within a range of £115m to £125m, as a result of the uncertain economic backdrop for both demand and inflation. The retailer also stated that it expects increased costs of around £30m following changes…
Read More » -
17 MarchFeatures
Can Boohoo’s rebrand solve its fast fashion woes?
In the run-up to Boohoo announcing its name change to Debenhams Group, the fashion business had battled an onslaught of media scrutiny – and we’re only halfway through the 2020s. Let’s recap this chain of events: in 2020, a Sunday Times investigation found that Boohoo suppliers in Leicester were getting…
Read More »
