Competition and Markets Authority
This coverage examines the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) interventions and decisions affecting the UK retail sector, focusing on mergers, market investigations, pricing policies, and consumer protections. Reporting highlights how regulatory actions influence retail competition, compliance obligations, and strategic planning — offering insight for executives, legal counsel, and professionals navigating regulatory risks and market oversight.
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Mar- 2025 -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…
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4 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-4/3/25
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is close to approving Topps Tiles’ £9m acquisition of CTD Tiles after both companies offered to divest stores in Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh, and Dorking to address competition concerns. The CMA had initially warned that the merger could reduce market competition, prompting an in-depth investigation.…
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4 MarchDIY
CMA nears approval for Topps Tiles’ acquisition of CTD Tiles
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed it is nearing a green light for Topps Tiles’ £9m acquisition of CTD Tiles. Following an investigation amid competition concerns, the CMA said both groups had offered to divest tile stores in Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh and Dorking. In light of this it…
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Jan- 2025 -23 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-23/1/25
Primark has revised its sales forecast for 2025 downwards following a challenging autumn trading period in the UK and Ireland. The company reported a 6% decline in like-for-like sales in these regions, largely attributed to cautious consumer sentiment and mild weather affecting seasonal clothing purchases. Despite a modest recovery during…
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23 JanuaryGovernment
CMA appoints Doug Gurr as interim chair
Former Amazon boss Doug Gurr has been appointed as interim chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), in a bid to boost growth and support the economy. Gurr, currently the director of the Natural History Museum, will bring a wealth of experience in the technology sector as the former…
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20 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-20/1/25
Quiz is reportedly considering closing up to a third of its 60 stores as part of a restructuring effort to stabilise its business amid mounting financial pressures. The company is set to delist from the AIM market and return to private ownership following a shareholder vote earlier this month. Restructuring…
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20 JanuaryGovernment
Pets at Home CEO warns Budget will effect part-time workers and women
Pets at Home CEO Lyssa McGowan has warned that the changes to National Insurance in the Budget will negatively impact part-time workers and women. McGowan stated in an interview with Mail on Sunday that Pets at Home faces an £18m increase in costs. The National Insurance contribution threshold will be…
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Nov- 2024 -27 NovemberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-27/11/24
The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has urged high streets to evolve beyond retail to reverse their decline. Its report highlights over 10,000 store closures in 2023, emphasizing that the traditional dominance of retail is outdated. Instead, demand is shifting towards leisure, dining, and public services such as health…
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27 NovemberSupermarkets
Around 92% supermarket loyalty schemes offer ‘genuine’ savings, CMA finds
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found that people who are members of a loyalty scheme can almost always make a genuine saving on the usual price by buying loyalty priced products. Having analysed around 50,000 grocery products on a loyalty price promotion, the CMA found very little evidence…
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Oct- 2024 -3 OctoberDIY
Topps Tiles sales dip 5.7% in Q4
Topps Tiles has seen a 5.7% decline in group sales to £248m for the 52-week period ended 28 September 2024. Group sales for the year, excluding revenues from the assets acquired from the administrators of CTD1, were broadly “in line” with the year ending September 2022. The tile specialist said…
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