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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May- 2025 -6 MayHigh Street
WH Smith buyer faces year-long ban from mass store closures
The new owner of WH Smith’s high street chain has effectively been banned from enacting widespread store closures for at least 12 months following the acquisition of the chain in March. According to Sky News, WH Smith would have the right to cancel a year-long transitional services agreement (TSA) with…
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Apr- 2025 -30 AprilOnline & Digital
Ann Summers and Maplin launch virtual storefronts through Deliveroo
Deliveroo has announced the launch of a new virtual store concept for retailers, with Ann Summers and Maplin Electronics named as the first to use virtual storefronts through the app. Available to customers in London and Cambridge, their fully-branded virtual storefronts will operate within the Deliveroo app to offer customers…
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28 AprilHigh Street
Hilco Capital and Endless table offers for Poundland
Several potential buyers have reportedly tabled their offers to acquire Poundland, after the retailer has been hit by struggling sales and mounting losses in recent months. According to Sky News, Hilco Capital and turnaround investor Endless both set forth their respective proposal offers on Friday (25 April) ahead of a…
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11 AprilEconomy
Footfall sees sharp 5.4% drop in March due to late Easter
Total year-on-year footfall in the UK dropped sharply by 5.4% in March, up from a 0.2% fall in February, according to BRC-Sensormatic data, which has been attributed to the timing of Easter later this April. Due to last year’s Easter falling in March, the calendar change has distorted the year-on-year…
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8 AprilHigh Street
Clintons returns to FY profit following store closures
Clintons has returned to profit following a period of store closures and job losses, with pre-tax profits rising to £8.1m in the year ended 29 June 2024, up from a loss of £5.4m the prior year. Full-year sales fell from £96.5m to £82.6m over the period, which was a “satisfactory…
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Mar- 2025 -28 MarchHigh Street
WHSmith agrees sale of high street arm to Modella Capital in £76m deal
Modella Capital has announced that it has acquired the UK high street operations of WHSmith, business based on an enterprise value of £76m. The acquisition covers around 480 stores on high streets, shopping centres and retail parks across the UK. As part of the deal, the high street stores will…
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25 MarchHigh Street
WH Smith completes refinancing amid plans to sell high street arm
WH Smith has successfully completed a refinancing, which includes its first US Private Placement (USPP) as well as a new bank term loan of £120m, ahead of the group’s potential sale of its high street arm. The £200m USPP notes have a maturity of seven, 10 and 12 years and…
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18 MarchClothing & Shoes
Select Fashion nears collapse, 35 stores to close
Select Fashion is reportedly on the verge of collapse, with 35 stores set to close if it falls into liquidation. According to documents seen by The Sun, the clothing brand has drafted in advisers from Moorfields to oversee the liquidation of the business. Directors at the brand reportedly said Select…
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18 MarchFeatures
How will the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street benefit retail in the UK?
In the last few months, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced that the city will be pushing ahead with long-discussed plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street. Long regarded as the shopping hub of the capital, Oxford Street has suffered in recent years with a number of retailers closing their doors on the…
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10 MarchHigh Street
Two bidders remain in running for WH Smith high street arm
Only two firms reportedly remain in the running to acquire WH Smith’s high street business, with a possible decision coming sometime this spring, according to Sky News. The news outlet revealed that Alteri Investors, which owns Bensons for Beds, and the Hobbycraft and The Original Factory Shop owner Modello Capital…
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