High Street
This coverage explores the state and evolution of the UK high street, with reporting on store openings and closures, footfall trends, redevelopment projects, policy impacts, and changing consumer behaviour. Insights are designed to help retail managers and executives understand the challenges and opportunities shaping high street retail operations and strategy.
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Oct- 2025 -23 OctoberHigh Street
Shoezone FY profits fall to £2.4m amid slowdown in demand
Shoezone has reported that its adjusted profits before tax are expected to be about £2.4m for the 52-week period to 27 September, down from £10m a year earlier but in line with management expectations. It comes as the footwear retailer’s revenues fell 7.6% to £149.1m from £161.3m in 2024, which…
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22 OctoberFeatures
Is Pets at Home really a victim of a ‘subdued’ pet market?
“It’s not just one issue behind Pets at Home’s challenges. A squeeze on household budgets, rising costs in real estate and shifts in consumer behaviour have combined with the challenges of delivering a broad ‘pet care platform’ strategy,” says Anna King, a retail consultant, of the troubles facing the UK’s…
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13 OctoberHigh Street
150,000 retail jobs at risk without business rate reform, Co-op warns
Around 60,000 small shops and 150,000 jobs could disappear without business rates reform, according to new research from Co-op. If reforms are not delivered, 10% of small high street business owners say they would need to lay off staff, and one in eight say they would be at risk of…
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9 OctoberHigh Street
Shoplifting surge a ‘low-level war’ on high streets, warns Iceland chair
Britain’s rise in shoplifting has become a “low-level war going on every day”, Iceland chair Richard Walker has said, urging retailers and the government to treat the problem as a serious threat to the high street. Speaking at the Financial Times’ Future of Retail conference, Walker said that thefts were…
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9 OctoberHigh Street
UK retail footfall records first annual decline since 2019
UK retail footfall declined in September, marking its first annual fall since 2019 and the sharpest month-on-month drop in more than a decade, according to MRI Software’s latest figures. Total footfall was down 0.2% year on year, led by a 1.1% drop in high street visits. Shopping centres saw a…
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6 OctoberDepartment Stores
John Lewis appoints new director of merchandising
John Lewis has appointed Anna Milne as its new director of merchandising, a new role that will be part of John Lewis management board. Most recently, she has been the merchandising director for the luxury lifestyle brands Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter. Milne has nearly 20 years of experience in retail,…
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2 OctoberHigh Street
Reeves set to scale back business rates plans for large retailers
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly planning to scale back plans to raise business rates on big retailers after warnings it could push up food prices, according to the Financial Times. The news comes after the Treasury had planned to put properties worth more than £500,000 into the highest tax band…
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1 OctoberHigh Street
Greggs Q3 sales up 6.1% amid improved August and September
Greggs has revealed that its total sales were up 6.1% for the 13 weeks ended 27 September 2025 due to improved trading in August and September following the heatwaves in July. Alongside this, its company-managed shop like-for-like sales were up 1.5% in the period and up 2.2% in the year-to-date.…
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Sep- 2025 -30 SeptemberHigh Street
Card Factory profits fall despite revenue uplift
Card Factory has announced that its adjusted profit-before-tax has fallen 46.4% to £7.5m for the six months ended 31 July, compared with £14m in HY25. The company put this down to the timing of efficiency-focused investments including an upgrade to its point of sale till system. Despite this, the group’s…
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29 SeptemberHigh Street
Modella acquires 156 Claire’s stores in UK&I rescue deal
Specialist retail investment firm Modella Capital has officially acquired 156 Claire’s stores in the UK and Ireland after the accessories chain entered administration last month. Claire’s, known for ear piercings and jewellery, went into administration on 13 August 2025 after years of financial difficulties. The UK and Ireland arm is…
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