England
This coverage focuses on retail developments, trends, and performance across England. Reporting includes store openings and closures, regional economic factors, consumer behaviour, property developments, and strategic initiatives by national and local retailers. Designed for executives and managers, it offers insights into operating successfully within England’s diverse retail landscape.
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Aug- 2025 -11 AugustSupermarkets
Iceland links food price rises to Reeves’ budget measures
Iceland has warned that food prices will rise as suppliers pass on higher costs linked to last autumn’s budget measures, The Telegraph has reported. The supermarket said the increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage was pushing up its suppliers’ labour costs, which in turn were…
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8 AugustEconomy
Footfall declines in July for second consecutive year
UK footfall fell by 0.4% year on year in July, according to data from the British Retail Consortium–Sensormatic IQ, marking a second consecutive year of decline for the month. The figure was a slight improvement on June’s 1.8% fall. High street footfall declined by 1.7%, compared with a 3.0% drop…
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7 AugustEconomy
BoE cuts interest rates to 4%
The Bank of England (BoE) has cut interest rates to 4%, down from the previous rate of 4.25%, marking the fifth rate cut since last year’s peak of 5.25%. At its meeting today (7 August), the bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 5 to 4 to…
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5 AugustShopping Centres
Network Rail sees retail sales hit record £915m in 2024/25
Network Rail has reported that its 19 managed stations saw retail sales rise by a “record” 8.7% to £914.7m in 2024/25, driven by growth and convenience outlets. During the period, like-for-like sales rose 5.8%, with London Waterloo generating £107.5m and London Bridge £100.1m, making them the first two stations in…
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4 AugustSupermarkets
Planning delays threaten affordable flats in John Lewis rental scheme
John Lewis Partnership has warned that affordable housing could be cut from its planned rental scheme in Reading if council delays and funding demands make the project financially unviable, The Telegraph has reported. The news comes after the retailer has already reduced the scheme from 215 to 170 homes following…
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Jul- 2025 -29 JulySupermarkets
Co-op launches rail apprenticeships in prison to tackle skills gap and reoffending
Co-op and the City and Guilds Foundation have launched the UK’s first rail engineering apprenticeships in a prison, aiming to address skills shortages and reduce reoffending. The scheme, based at the Centre of Excellence skills hub at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk, will enable prisoners to complete Level 2 qualifications in…
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28 JulyTechnology
Co-op installs 6,700 solar panels at Bedfordshire depot
Co-op has completed the installation of more than 6,700 solar panels at its regional distribution centre in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, as part of efforts to expand its direct procurement of renewable energy. The 660,000sqft site, which serves more than 600 stores across southern England, is expected to generate 2,500 MWh of…
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25 JulyFeatures
What Sycamore’s $10bn WBA takeover means for the UK high street
A $10bn (£7.4bn) takeover of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) by Sycamore Partners has been officially approved, with 96% of shareholders voting in favour. This decisive vote underscores the significance of the deal, which is poised to transform a major entity at the intersection of retail and healthcare. Expected to close…
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25 JulyEconomy
Retail sales jump 0.9% in June
Retail sales volumes rose by 0.9% in June 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), following a revised 2.8% decline in May. Food store sales increased, with retailers attributing the rise to warm weather after a fall in May. Over the quarter, sales volumes were up 0.2% in…
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25 JulyHigh Street
Shoplifting cases jump 20% to record 530,000, ONS finds
Shoplifting offences in England and Wales have surged 20% to their highest level in more than two decades, according to the latest official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). According to data for the year to March 2025, police recorded exactly 530,643 shoplifting offences, which spells a 20%…
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