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.
-
Apr- 2021 -6 AprilDepartment Stores
John Lewis to reopen stores
John Lewis has confirmed that it will reopen its shops in England and Wales on 12 April following the latest government guidance. The group will also reopen its newly refurbished Edinburgh shop on 14 May and plans to reopen its Glasgow shop from 26 April. After more than three months…
Read More » -
Mar- 2021 -31 MarchHigh Street
Carpetright owner acquires Carpet and Flooring
Nestware Holdings Limited (NHL) has announced it has acquired Carpet and Flooring (C&F) for an undisclosed sum. NFL, which is part of Meditor Holdings Limited also owns a number of flooring businesses including Carpetright and FlooringSupplies.co.uk, an ecommerce flooring business. C&F was established in 1992, it distributes floor covering products…
Read More » -
29 MarchSupermarkets
Aldi stores to supply National Lottery
Aldi has announced that it has partnered with Camelot to offer the National Lottery across its entire 900-store UK portfolio. Commencing in April 2021, the supermarket group will provide all of the National Lottery’s draw-based games at its checkouts. The move follows a trial in the north of England, and…
Read More » -
23 MarchGovernment
Plastic bag fee to increase to 10p from April
All retailers, regardless of how many people they employ, will be legally required to charge customers 10p for a single use plastic carrier bag from 1 April 2021. The current levy of 5p for a plastic bag only applies to retailers who employ 250 or more people. The new legislation…
Read More » -
23 MarchHigh Street
High street footfall rises 4% ahead of lockdown anniversary
Footfall across UK retail destinations rose by +0.5% last week ahead of the one-year anniversary of the first national lockdown , wholly driven by a +4% increase in high streets according to the latest data from retail experts Springboard. During the week, footfall in both retail parks and shopping centres…
Read More » -
23 MarchEconomy
Gov to create hubs to boost international trade
The Department for International Trade (DIT) has announced the creation of four new trade and investment hubs which will channel the economic benefits of international trade directly into Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the North of England. The trade hubs in Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast and a new site in Darlington,…
Read More » -
22 MarchGovernment
High streets to receive £56m summer gov investment
The government has announced a new £56m investment into UK high streets and seaside towns to ensure a “successful reopening” of the sector this summer. The ‘Welcome Back Fund’ aims to help councils improve the “look and feel” of local high streets, by investing in street planting, parks, green spaces…
Read More » -
17 MarchCoronavirus
Northern Ireland to allow click-and-collect from 12 April
The Stormont Executive has revealed parts of Northern Ireland’s map out of lockdown which will see non-essential retail click and collect services return in April. While the majority of the current restrictions will remain in place until after Easter, the Executive agreed to gradual changes which will come into effect…
Read More » -
16 MarchShopping Centres
SGS reveals host of new lease deals
SGS, the property company that manages four UK retail and leisure destinations – Lakeside, Atria Watford, Braehead and Victoria Centre – has announced a string of lease renewals, extensions and new deals. One of the deals, will see Apple renew its lease on a 5,502 sq ft space at its…
Read More » -
15 MarchCoronavirus Featured Content
Covid-19 forced over 17,500 chain stores to close in 2020
More than 17,500 chain stores were forced to close last year across the UK, as Covid-19 has created one of the worst declines for retail on record. According to research by PwC and the Local Data Company, 2020 saw an average of 48 shops, restaurants and leisure venues close every…
Read More »








