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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Oct- 2018 -25 OctoberGovernment
Philip Green named as man facing #MeToo allegations
Retail billionaire and Arcadia Group owner Philip Green has been named in Parliament as the man facing newspaper allegations of sexual harassment. Green was named by Lord Peter Hain who said he felt a “duty” to name Green under the protection of parliamentary privilege after being contacted by someone “intimately…
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18 OctoberOnline & Digital
Online retail sales growth slumps to lowest level in 2018
UK online retail sales experienced its lowest September growth (+7.5% YoY) since 2014 last month, according to the latest IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index. According to the new research online sales have “faltered” since England’s World Cup Exit in July and the close of the hot summer, and despite a…
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18 OctoberEconomy
Retail sector ‘to face £186.45m business rates increase next April’
Retail firms will see business rates increase by £186.45 next April for the year 2019/20, according to real estate advisor Altus Group. September’s Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation, announced on 17 October at 2.4% will determine business rate rises in England for the next year. It is its…
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8 OctoberEconomy
Footfall continues to fall in September
Footfall continued on its decline in September, according to the Ipsos Retail Performance Weathermap. All regions saw a year-on-year drop in footfall, with Scotland and Northern Ireland recording a 3.3% decline and northern England seeing 5.5% less retail visitors. The Midlands, south west England and Wales and London and the…
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1 OctoberHigh Street
Business rates could be changed to help retailers, says Greg Clark
Secretary of state for business Greg Clark has admitted that business rates could be changed in order to help high street retailers. Clark told a fringe event at the Conservative party conference that a change in business rates would be “one way” of recognising the role that high street retailers…
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Sep- 2018 -26 SeptemberHigh Street
Poundland to remove kitchen knives from stores
Poundland has announced it will have removed all kitchen knives from its 755 UK stores by the end of next month. The budget retailer said the decision was made through “thoughtful reflection about concerns raised by both communities and colleagues”. Knife crime in England and Wales has risen by 16%…
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21 SeptemberClothing & Shoes
Moss Bros’ revenue drops as hot weather and World Cup ‘distraction’ affects sales
Menswear retailer Moss Bros has reported a drop in revenue and sales in its half year financial results, covering the period from 28 January 2018 to 28 July 2018. The retailer’s total group revenue, excluding VAT, was down by 3.3% and fell to to £64.5m compared with the previous year.…
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14 SeptemberDepartment Stores
John Lewis Oxford Street flagship sees business rates rise 57% in a year
John Lewis’ flagship on Oxford Street, London is expected to see its business rates tax rise from £12.68m to £19.91m up 57% compared with last year’s revaluation. According to real estate advisor, Altus Group, the Oxford Street store alone will pay £41.04m in business rates over the four years of…
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4 SeptemberEconomy
Footfall ‘better than expected’ in August
Footfall fell by 4.1% in August compared with the same month last year, according to the Ipsos retail footfall tracker. Despite the drop, analysts described footfall levels as “better than expected” as the pace of year-on-year footfall decline slowed in August. Ipsos said this might be down to the success…
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Aug- 2018 -31 AugustGovernment
10p plastic bag charge to be rolled out to all retailers
The 5p plastic bag charge will be doubled to 10p and extended to all retailers and not just big businesses, prime minister Theresa May has announced. The proposal will be subject to consultation later this year, to help fight global plastic pollution. The 5p plastic bag charge was introduced in…
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