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.

  • May- 2025 -
    8 May
    EconomyBoE cuts interest rates to 4.25%

    BoE cuts interest rates to 4.25%

    The Bank of England (BoE) has cut interest rates to 4.25%, down from the previous rate of 4.5%, marking the fourth rate cut since last year’s peak of 5.25%. At its meeting ending on 7 May, the bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 5–4 to reduce…

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  • Apr- 2025 -
    28 April
    SupermarketsLidl to invest £500m in store expansion

    Lidl to invest £500m in store expansion

    Lidl has announced that it is set to open more than 40 new stores across the country, investing £500m in the process. The supermarket has published its 2025 site requirements brochure, outlining hundreds of potential locations for new stores, including high streets, retail parks, and mixed-use town centre sites. The…

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  • 16 April

    Today’s news in brief-16/4/25

    Inflation in the UK fell more than expected to 2.6% in March 2025, down from 2.8% in February, driven by declines in petrol prices and recreation and culture costs, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The largest downward contributions came from motor fuels, housing, and household services, while…

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  • 16 April
    EconomyInflation falls more than expected to 2.6% in March

    Inflation falls more than expected to 2.6% in March

    Inflation has fallen more than expected to 2.6% in the 12 months to March 2025, down from the 2.8% rise in February, driven largely by a fall in petrol prices. According to the ONS, the largest downward contributions came from recreation and culture and motor fuels, with a further large…

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  • 11 April
    EconomyFootfall sees sharp 5.4% drop in March due to late Easter

    Footfall sees sharp 5.4% drop in March due to late Easter

    Total year-on-year footfall in the UK dropped sharply by 5.4% in March, up from a 0.2% fall in February, according to BRC-Sensormatic data, which has been attributed to the timing of Easter later this April. Due to last year’s Easter falling in March, the calendar change has distorted the year-on-year…

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  • 1 April
    Clothing & ShoesM&S to invest £50m in North West stores

    M&S to invest £50m in North West stores

    M&S has announced a £50m investment in stores across the North West of England for the year ahead, creating 300 jobs and 100,000 total new square footage across its store estate in the area. The investment is another step forward in M&S’s store renewal and rotation programme, focused on having…

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  • Mar- 2025 -
    21 March
    EconomyLondon’s store closures return to pre-pandemic levels for first time

    London’s store closures return to pre-pandemic levels for first time

    Five stores closed each day in Greater London in 2024, with four new stores opening, according to the latest data from PwC – resulting in net closures of one store per day. The bi-annual report using data from Green Street, tracks over 200,000 chain outlets in over 3,500 locations to…

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  • 20 March
    EconomyBoE holds interest rates at 4.5%

    BoE holds interest rates at 4.5%

    The Bank of England (BoE) has voted to hold interest rates at 4.5%, having cut the rate last month to its lowest level since June 2023. At its meeting ending on 19 March, the bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 8–1 to maintain the rate at…

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  • 10 March
    News-In-BriefToday’s news in brief-10/3/25

    Today’s news in brief-10/3/25

    WH Smith is nearing a decision on the sale of its high street business, with two bidders, Alteri Investors and Modello Capital, remaining in the race. The retailer, which has seen its Travel business outperform high street outlets, confirmed in January it was exploring strategic options, including a potential sale.…

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  • 10 March
    High StreetUK retail footfall rebounds with high streets leading the way

    UK retail footfall rebounds with high streets leading the way

    Retail footfall rose by 1.8% overall for the week ended 7 March 2025 compared with the week before, driven by a 4.2% rebound in high street activity and by 0.1% in retail parks. However, shopping centres saw a 1.6% decline in footfall, reflecting cautious consumer behaviour ahead of Mother’s Day…

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