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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Dec- 2025 -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…
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15 DecemberHigh Street
UK retail footfall rises 3.1% as festive trading gathers pace
UK retail footfall rose by 3.1% last week compared with the previous week, driven by increased activity on high streets as the Christmas trading period intensified, MRI Software has found.Between 7 and 13 December, high street visits increased by 5%, while shopping centres recorded a 2.2% uplift. Footfall at retail…
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12 DecemberHigh Street
Card Factory cuts profit expectations after weak UK store sales
Card Factory has lowered its profit expectations to between £55m and £60m after weaker-than-anticipated trading in its UK stores, citing continued pressure on consumer confidence and subdued high street footfall. The greeting cards and gifts retailer said trading conditions had remained challenging in recent months, with cautious consumer behaviour affecting…
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9 DecemberClothing & Shoes
River Island loss widens to £64m as restructuring takes hold
River Island has reported a pre-tax loss of £64m for the 52 weeks ended 28 December 2024, up from a loss of £33.2m the prior year, as the group saw its restructuring plan begin to take hold. It comes as turnover for the year fell by 7.1% to £537.0m, down from…
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5 DecemberHigh Street
Footfall slips in Nov as Black Friday fails to lift shopper numbers
Total UK footfall fell 0.8% year-on-year in November, compared with a 0.7% decline in October, as Black Friday failed to produce the much needed boost for retailers, according to the latest data from the BRC. High street footfall decreased 1.2% after a 0.6% rise in October, while retail parks saw…
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5 DecemberEconomy
Black Friday delivers limited lift to retail sales in November
Black Friday provided only a modest boost to discretionary retail sales in November, with total like-for-like sales rising 3.4% against a weak comparison period in 2024, according to BDO’s latest High Street Sales Tracker. The increase followed a 5.8% fall a year earlier. The month, which included the peak promotional…
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4 DecemberSupermarkets
Co-op debuts ‘on the go’ concept store in London
Co-op has opened its first ‘on the go’ concept store in the London area with the launch of a 550 sq ft site in Clarence Street, Kingston upon Thames. The format is designed for high footfall locations and focuses on prepared meals and hot food throughout the day. The store…
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3 DecemberFeatures
Inside Quiz’s measured return to store expansion
Quiz Clothing is entering a new phase. After two difficult years marked by falling demand due to fading relevance with its core shopper, and a short spell in administration, the Glasgow-based fashion retailer is preparing to expand again. The business, which operates 40 UK stores and works with franchise and…
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1 DecemberHigh Street
Modella eyes Wynsons takeover
Modella Capital is reportedly in advanced talks for a deal to acquire Wynsors World of Shoes, according to Sky News. A deal could be reached before the end of the year for the retailer which trades from approximately 50 standalone shops across the north of the country. The chain also…
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Nov- 2025 -28 NovemberShopping Centres
Retail Trust launches campaign urging respect for shop workers
The Retail Trust has launched a national campaign calling on shoppers to show greater respect to retail staff in the run-up to Christmas, following new research indicating rising levels of abuse towards shop workers. As part of its Let’s Respect Retail campaign, Smiles of respect will light up big screens…
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