Frasers Group

Frasers Group eyes Matches relaunch as exclusive members’ club

Frasers Group is reportedly looking to relaunch Matches Fashion as an exclusive members’ club, according to The Times.  Having brought the luxury fashion platform back in a pre-pack deal last April for £19m, Frasers is understood to have collated proposals that could see Matches be turned into “the Soho House…

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Today’s news in brief-15/4/25

Halfords has appointed Henry Birch, former CEO of The Very Group, as its new chief executive, replacing Graham Stapleton, who steps down after seven years. Under Stapleton’s leadership, Halfords transformed from a cycling and motoring retailer into an omnichannel motoring services specialist, growing annual revenues from £1.1bn to £1.7bn. Birch,…

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Frasers to launch Sports Direct in Australia and New Zealand

Frasers Group has struck a long-term strategic retail agreement with Accent Group to launch and operate Sports Direct across Australia and New Zealand, as part of the group’s international growth plans.  Accent Group is a key retailer and distributor of premium lifestyle and sports footwear in Australasia, and has over…

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Is going private the next big trend in retail?

Walgreens Boots Alliance was acquired by the American private equity firm Sycamore Partners in a deal valued at up to $23.7bn (£18.3 billion). Around the same time, Pepco Group, owner of Poundland, received interest from potential buyers for its 825-store Poundland business in the UK. With major retailers opting for…

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Today’s news in brief-1/4/25

Retailers are bracing for a £5.56bn rise in costs following the implementation of recent Budget measures, including higher National Insurance contributions and an increased minimum wage. According to Retail Economics, these changes will force businesses to absorb £1.76bn in profit losses while passing £1.72bn onto consumers through price hikes. Chancellor…

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Frasers ups stake in THG to 10.92%

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has revealed it has increased its stake in THG from 4.8% to 10.92%, according to the latest holding documents filed by the company. It now holds 151,940,734 voting rights in the company. The news comes as THG successfully fundraised £90m with the support from new investors…

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Today’s news in brief-31/3/25

Primark CEO Paul Marchant has resigned with immediate effect following an investigation into an allegation regarding his behaviour towards a woman in a social setting. Parent company ABF launched an external probe, after which Marchant acknowledged his “error of judgement” and apologised to the individual, the board, and Primark employees.…

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Boohoo finalises Debenhams rebrand despite Frasers push-back

Boohoo Group has confirmed its rebrand to Debenhams Group at its General Meeting following the initial announcement of the name change earlier this month (11 March), despite strong opposition from Frasers Group.  It comes as 62.04% voted in favour of changing the corporate name from Boohoo Group to Debenhams Group,…

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Today’s news in brief-26/3/25

John Lewis is close to securing approval for its housing project in Reading, transforming a former customer collection facility into 215 homes, including 49% family-sized units and 10% affordable rentals. The development, featuring shared workspaces, a gym, and communal areas, is part of an £80m investment in rental housing. A…

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Frasers ups stake in AO World to 25%

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has revealed it has increased its stake in fashion retailer  Brown to 25.01%, according to the latest holding documents filed by the company.  It now holds 145,148,997 voting rights in the company.  The news comes as the electrical retailer AO raised its full-year forecast to between…

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