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.
-
Jan- 2026 -7 JanuaryEconomy
‘Dismal December’ as Christmas fails to boost retail sales, BDO finds
Total like-for-like retail sales across discretionary spending categories fell by 1.4% in December compared with the same month last year, marking the weakest monthly performance since November 2024. Figures from the High Street Sales Tracker by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO showed in-store sales fell by 0.5%, while online…
Read More » -
6 JanuaryHigh Street
Claire’s and TOFS near administration, 2,500 jobs at risk
Accessories chain Claire’s and discount retailer The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) are reportedly close to entering administration, putting about 2,500 jobs at risk, according to Sky News. The two retailers are understood to be preparing to file notices of intention to appoint administrators shortly after the end of the key…
Read More » -
2 JanuaryHigh Street
Seasalt plans 10 new shops a year despite industry slowdown
Seasalt Cornwall plans to open about 10 new shops a year, pressing ahead with expansion despite weak consumer confidence and rising costs on the high street, the clothing retailer has told The Times. The news comes as the retailer is close to securing three new UK stores for the new…
Read More » -
Dec- 2025 -24 DecemberEconomy
Boxing Day sales forecast to rise 2.2% to £3.81bn
UK consumers are forecast to spend £3.81bn on Boxing Day, a 2.2% increase on last year and the highest level of spending for the day since 2021, according to the Shopping for Christmas Report by VoucherCodes.co.uk. The figure would make Boxing Day the most lucrative day of the post-Christmas sales…
Read More » -
22 DecemberHigh Street
Super Saturday footfall falls nearly 7% year on year
Super Saturday failed to give retailers a much needed footfall boost this year, with store visits down 6.9% year on year as shoppers delayed spending amid continued consumer caution, according to data from Sensormatic Solutions. The figures, based on ShopperTrak Analytics data covering around 40 billion store visits globally each…
Read More » -
22 DecemberClothing & Shoes
LK Bennett eyes sale as it swings to a loss
LK Bennett owner Byland UK has reportedly called in advisers from Alvarez and Marsal to run an accelerated sale process of the fashion brand amid concerns the business could be heading towards collapse for the second time in six years, according to Sky News. News of the potential sale in…
Read More » -
19 DecemberEconomy
UK consumer confidence edges up but remains flat year-on-year
UK consumer confidence rose modestly in December, but remained unchanged from a year earlier, underlining continued pressure on household sentiment despite easing inflation. GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased by two points to -17 in December, with all five underlying measures showing month-on-month improvements. The index has been published jointly…
Read More » -
19 DecemberHigh Street
WH Smith FY profits dip as FCA probe over accounting error begins
WH Smith has seen pre-tax profits fall from £114m to £108m in its full-year results, as it confirmed an investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ) has launched regarding a previous accounting error. Despite the fall in profits, total revenues for the year rose by 5% to £1.55bn, with…
Read More » -
19 DecemberEconomy
UK retail sales dip in November amid weaker Black Friday boost
UK retail sales volumes fell slightly in November, as a weaker-than-usual Black Friday failed to offset falls in supermarkets and online jewellery sales, official figures show.Retail sales volumes dropped by 0.1% in November, following a revised fall of 0.9% in October, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). That…
Read More » -
17 DecemberComment
2025 was retail’s TikTok Shop proof of concept
2025 marked a turning point in retail’s relationship with TikTok Shop globally, especially in the UK. This was the year in which we convincingly saw the platform shift from experimental to commercial reality, with shopper numbers on the platform up 131% year-on-year. It demonstrated that social commerce is no longer…
Read More »
