Ireland
This coverage focuses on retail trends, developments, and performance in Ireland, with attention to both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Reporting includes store activity, regional economic factors, consumer behaviour, property developments, and strategic moves by local and international retailers. Tailored for executives and managers, it offers insights into operating successfully in Ireland’s retail market.
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Jan- 2026 -15 JanuaryDepartment Stores
Very Group reports ‘resilient’ Christmas as UK sales rise 1.9%
The Very Group has reported “resilient” Christmas and Black Friday trading, as UK retail sales rose 1.9% year-on-year in the six weeks to 27 December 2025. According to the online department store, its performance was driven by stronger demand in higher margin categories including home, toys and beauty. Home sales…
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14 JanuaryHealth & Beauty
Sephora to open first Northern Ireland store in February
Sephora UK has announced it will open its first store in Northern Ireland on 12 February 2026, marking the beauty retailer’s debut on the island of Ireland. The store will be located in Victoria Square, Belfast, and will be Sephora UK’s first opening of 2026 and its 13th UK store…
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14 JanuarySupermarkets
Aldi increases starting pay in £36m investment
Aldi is to increase starting pay for store assistants to £13.35 per hour nationally from 1 March 2026 as part of a £36m investment. Workers within the M25 will see starting rates rise to £14.71. Pay for staff based on length of service will increase to £14.30 per hour, or…
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13 JanuaryHealth & Beauty
THG sees Q4 revenues jump 7% amid strong Beauty performance
THG has reported that fourth-quarter revenues increased 7% year-on-year, making it the best-performing quarter of the year and lifting second-half revenue growth to 6.7%. The group’s performance was also about 14% ahead of the top end of the company’s previously stated guidance range of 3.9% to 5.9%. THG attributed its…
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8 JanuarySupermarkets
Tesco lifts profit outlook after strong Christmas trading
Tesco has raised its profit guidance after reporting stronger-than-expected Christmas trading, driven by market share gains and higher sales across fresh food, online and clothing. The supermarket said it now expects group adjusted operating profit for the 2025/26 financial year to come in at the upper end of its previous…
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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…
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5 JanuarySupermarkets
Aldi sales hit £1.65bn amid record Christmas
Aldi has welcomed record Christmas sales after shoppers prioritised low prices during the festive period. The discounter reported sales of £1.65bn in the four weeks to Christmas Eve, up 3% year-on-year, with more than £500m spent in the final week before Christmas. The retailer committed to undercutting rivals on the…
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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…
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Dec- 2025 -18 DecemberElectrical
Currys HY profits jump 144% to £22m amid stronger Nordics trading
Currys has seen profits before tax rocket 144% to £22m in the first half of the year, and expects to see growth in its full-year results, despite warning of “muted” customer sentiment in the UK and Ireland. For the period ended 1 November, group revenues rose 8% to £4.23bn, or…
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12 DecemberPeople Moves
Pret A Manger appoints UK&I president
Pret A Manger has appointed Ross Warnes as UK and Ireland president as it looks to continue its growth plans. Warnes will take up the position in January and joins from Kraft Heinz, where he held several senior roles, including area vice president overseeing their biggest business unit in the US…
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