Harrods
This coverage examines Harrods’ role and performance within the UK retail sector, focusing on its luxury positioning, store operations, and strategic initiatives. Explore reporting on flagship store developments, seasonal campaigns, brand partnerships, executive changes, and financial performance — all with an emphasis on commercial impact and relevance to professionals managing retail operations, brand strategy, and high-end customer experiences.
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Aug- 2019 -13 AugustHigh Street
Over 50 retailers sign letter demanding business rates fix
Over fifty major retailers have come together to demand the government takes action to fix the “broken” business rates system. In a letter to the new chancellor, Sajid Javid, retailers have called on the government to put business rates “at the heart” of the promised new economic package. The letter,…
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Jul- 2019 -2 JulyAnalysis
How to make the most of empty retail spaces
Earlier in this month, The Times reported that the number of vacant shops on UK high streets rose by more than 7,500 last year, fuelled in part by store closures from large retailers such as Mothercare, New Look and House of Fraser. Debenhams then announced that it will downsize at…
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May- 2019 -13 MayDepartment Stores
Mike Ashley plans to invest millions to revamp House of Fraser
Mike Ashely has revealed he plans to pledge hundreds of millions of pounds into relaunching House of Fraser in return for a three-year rent holiday. According to The Sunday Times, Ashley plans to open 31 upmarket stores rebranded to “Frasers” over the next five years – with five of these…
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Apr- 2019 -29 AprilClothing & Shoes
Kurt Geiger owner mulls £450m sale to US fashion giants
The private equity firm which owns Kurt Geiger is reportedly mulling over a sale of footwear and accessories retailer to some of America’s fashion giants for around £450m. According to The Telegraph, Cinven has reportedly held “fireside chats” with potential buyers including Steve Madden, Michael Kors and Coach. If a…
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Feb- 2019 -22 FebruaryM&A
Martin Newman announces DownYourHighStreet.com investment
Retail expert, Martin Newman has announced he has invested in e-commerce platform, DownYourHighStreet.com, bringing its told investment raised this funding round to £272,060, 81% more than its target. The platform, created specifically for independent bricks and mortar retailers to grow their e-commerce business, will officially launch in June and currently…
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Dec- 2018 -13 DecemberHigh Street
HoF acquisition dents Sports Direct profits
Sports Direct has reported a 27% fall in profits for the half-year period ending 28 October as it counts the cost of its acquisition of embattled department store chain House of Fraser. During the period, the company that also owns USC, Flannels, and Evans Cycles reported underlying profit before tax…
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Nov- 2018 -19 NovemberHigh Street
Evans Cycles to close stores despite ‘almost all profitable’
Evans Cycles is set for store closures despite a recent administrators proposals document by accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) claiming “almost all the stores were profitable”. In the document, PwC found that the company’s financial woes mainly stemmed from being “burdened” by costs at its head office. Last month it was…
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12 NovemberAdvice
How high street retailers can make it as ‘bricks and clicks’ companies
Next year Amazon is set to celebrate its 25th birthday, although much of the high street won’t be joining the party, with an estimated 38,900 UK retail jobs being lost or affected this year alone. The roll call of businesses that have entered administration, from House of Fraser to Poundworld…
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Oct- 2018 -12 OctoberDepartment Stores
Sports Direct acquires HoF Glasgow store in ‘Harrods of the North’ ambition
House of Fraser today (Friday 12 October) vowed to create the “Harrods of the North” – after announcing a £95m deal to acquire the freehold of the Frasers building in Glasgow. The flagship store already has a strong luxury brand presence which includes Hermes, Christian Louboutin, Prada and Gucci giving…
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4 OctoberAdvice
What is an administration pre-pack, and how might it affect retail suppliers?
2018 has been a difficult year for retailers: East, Maplin, New Look, Carpetright, Carphone Warehouse, Poundworld, Mothercare, Toys ‘R’ Us, House of Fraser, and Homebase have all stumbled to varying degrees. For House of Fraser, Mike Ashley (via his SportsDirect group) arrived as a ‘white knight’, using an administration pre-pack…
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