Italy
This coverage focuses on UK retailers’ activities and strategies relating to the Italian market, including store openings, partnerships, consumer trends, and market entry or expansion efforts. Reporting examines how businesses adapt operations to Italy’s retail landscape — providing insight for executives, managers, and professionals overseeing international growth and cross-border retail strategy.
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Mar- 2025 -6 MarchOnline & Digital
Temu earns high marks from top German consumer watchdog
Temu, the online marketplace, has received strong endorsements for its quality, data security, and customer-friendly returns in a recent evaluation conducted by Stiftung Warentest, Germany’s leading consumer testing organisation. Stiftung Warentest, known for its rigorous and impartial assessments, awarded Temu a “good” rating for its data handling and shopping experience.…
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4 MarchLuxury Goods
Prada nears €1.5bn Versace takeover deal
Prada is reportedly edging closer to acquiring Versace for €1.5bn (£1.2bn), the FT has reported. According to sources briefed on the discussions, after months of talking between Prada and Capri, which owns brands including Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo, an agreement could come “within weeks”. The talks have been prolonged…
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Feb- 2025 -27 FebruarySupermarkets
EG Group profits surge 9% in FY24
EG Group has reported a 9% increase in EBITDA to $992m (£782.5m) in FY24 driven by significant contributions from its US and European divisions. Grocery and merchandise gross profit rose by 7% to $1.26bn (£994.1m), driven by a gross margin increase of 193bps to 31.1%. Meanwhile, foodservice gross profit was…
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18 FebruaryPeople Moves
Tesco appoints new wine product development manager
Tesco has announced that Beth Kelly, a Master of Wine (MW), has joined the supermarket’s wine team as wine product development manager. Previously a buying manager at Majestic Wine, Kelly will be responsible for France and South Africa across both still and sparkling wines. With over 20 years of experience in…
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17 FebruaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-17/2/25
Marks & Spencer has reinforced its international operations with three senior hires to drive its global growth strategy. Manish Kapoor, formerly of Pepe Jeans, joins as Managing Director for M&S India, while Victoria Jones, ex-Clarks executive, steps into the role of International Commercial Director. Richard Davies, previously Head of Category…
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Jan- 2025 -23 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Primark lowers FY guidance amid weak UK autumn trading
Primark has lowered its sales outlook for 2025 after the UK reported weak sales amid a “challenging retail environment” over the autumn period. In the UK and Ireland, which accounted for 45% of trading, like-for-like sales fell by 6% in the 16 weeks to 4 January 2025. In the UK…
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Dec- 2024 -12 DecemberDepartment Stores
Selfridges co-owner admits £4bn price was ‘too high’
Tos Chirathivat, the executive chair and CEO of Thai family conglomerate Central Group, said in a conversation with The Financial Times that it may have overpaid for its acquisition of Selfridges and other European luxury department stores as part of a £4bn deal in 2021. According to Chirathivat, whose group’s…
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Nov- 2024 -5 NovemberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-5/11/24
Primark’s profits surged by 51% to £1.1bn in FY24, as its parent company, Associated British Foods, credited a significant rise in profitability and returns amid ongoing investment efforts. Total group sales grew by 6% to £9.4bn, despite summer fashion sales being dampened by poor weather in H2. Notably, Primark reported…
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5 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Primark profits rise by 51% to £1.1bn in FY24
Primark has seen its operating profits soar by 51% to £1.1bn in the year ended 14 September 2024, as the group hailed a “substantial” improvement in profitability and strong returns amid ongoing investment. Associated British Foods reported that sales for the group rose by 6% to £9.4bn over the year,…
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1 NovemberComment
From side hustle to global costume leader – The story of Fraser Smeaton’s costume empire
In 2009, Fraser Smeaton, CEO and co-founder of MorphCostumes, saw an unusual potential in what seemed like an ordinary moment. While walking the streets of Dublin with a friend sporting a bright blue spandex suit, he noticed that people couldn’t help but stop and stare, with many even approaching to…
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