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.
-
Jul- 2025 -29 JulyFeatures
Claire’s on the brink: can the chain avoid another collapse?
For decades, Claire’s has been the go-to destination for sparkly earrings, scrunchies and ear piercings – a rite of passage for generations of teenagers. But the glitter is starting to fade. The jewellery and accessories retailer, which operates nearly 300 shops in the UK and more than 2,300 worldwide, has…
Read More » -
28 JulyClothing & Shoes
Primark unveils new mannequin designed to represent wheelchair users
Primark has unveiled a new seated mannequin designed to represent wheelchair users, created in collaboration with television presenter and disability advocate Sophie Morgan. The mannequin, named ‘Sophie’, is the result of a 12-month project initiated by Morgan, who first designed a wheelchair display prototype, the Mannequal, in 2009. It will…
Read More » -
25 JulyFeatures
What Sycamore’s $10bn WBA takeover means for the UK high street
A $10bn (£7.4bn) takeover of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) by Sycamore Partners has been officially approved, with 96% of shareholders voting in favour. This decisive vote underscores the significance of the deal, which is poised to transform a major entity at the intersection of retail and healthcare. Expected to close…
Read More » -
23 JulyClothing & Shoes
Topshop revives partnership with Cara Delevingne
Topshop has named model and actor Cara Delevingne as the face of its new Autumn/Winter 2025 campaign, 10 years after their first campaign together and marking the start of a wider brand relaunch. The partnership begins with a 30-piece capsule collection described as a reflection of Delevingne’s “London edge”, featuring…
Read More » -
22 JulyHigh Street
Independent retailers warn of ‘mounting pressure’ as half consider closure
More than half of the UK’s independent retailers have considered closing their business, according to a new survey from Spring and Autumn Fair and Save The High Street.org. Some 63.4% of respondents cited reduced customer spending and footfall as their greatest challenge, followed by competition from online platforms (57.4%) and…
Read More » -
21 JulyHigh Street
Lakeland owner Hilco in race to acquire Claire’s
Hilco Capital, the high street investor behind Lakeland and a former backer of HMV and Superdry, is considering a takeover of Claire’s UK business, according to Sky News. Banking sources have told the outlet that Hilco Capital, who was a recent contender to acquire Poundland, is among the potential bidders…
Read More » -
14 JulyGovernment
Reeves eyes business rates rise for supermarkets and department stores
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering increasing business rates for department stores and supermarkets as she looks to raise £1.7bn from businesses this autumn, according to The Telegraph. The outlet revealed that the chancellor is looking to plug the £5bn hole left after the government was forced to abandon cuts…
Read More » -
11 JulyHigh Street
Läderach opens first UK transport hub store at St Pancras
Swiss chocolatier Läderach has opened its first shop in a UK transport hub at London St Pancras International. The 550 sq ft boutique, which began trading on earlier this month, is the brand’s ninth London location and offers its full range of handcrafted chocolate, including its signature FrischSchoggi (fresh chocolate)…
Read More » -
10 JulyHigh Street
Majestic opens Thame store as part of summer expansion
Majestic has opened a new store in Thame as part of plans to expand its bricks-and-mortar estate this summer. The wine retailer’s new 1,680 sq ft shop, which is located on the town’s High Street, occupies the former Newitt’s of Thame butchers. Several original features of the butcher’s shop –…
Read More » -
8 JulyClothing & Shoes
Seraphine enters administration after sales slump
Maternity fashion retailer Seraphine has ceased trading and entered administration, with most of its 95 employees made redundant. It comes after the retailer officially appointed Will Wright and Chris Pole from consultancy firm Interpath as joint administrators yesterday (7 July). According to the administrators, they are now exploring options for…
Read More »
