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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Jul- 2025 -31 JulyHigh Street
Card Factory opens 1,100th store at Cheshunt retail park
Card Factory has opened its 1,100th high street store in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, as the greetings card and gift retailer expands its national footprint. The new outlet, based at Brookfield Retail Park, welcomed its first customers on 31 July and has created 12 local jobs. Regional manager Maureen Wheele led the…
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29 JulySupermarkets
M&S launches one-year guarantee on children’s clothing
Marks and Spencer has introduced a one-year quality guarantee on all children’s clothing, becoming the first UK high street retailer to offer such a scheme. The policy, which excludes footwear and accessories, allows customers to claim a full refund within 365 days if items do not meet the retailer’s quality…
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29 JulyEconomy
Family food bills rise as shop price inflation hits 0.7%
Shop price inflation rose to 0.7% in July, up from 0.4% in June, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The latest figures from the Shop Price Monitor, which was formerly known as the Shop Price Index, show inflation running above the three-month average of 0.3%. Food inflation reached 4%…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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