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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Feb- 2025 -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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Oct- 2024 -29 OctoberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-29/10/24
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has urged the chancellor to prioritise keeping prices low as shop price deflation reached 0.8% in October, marking its lowest rate since August 2021. Food inflation also eased, with fresh food and ambient food prices falling. BRC’s CEO Helen Dickinson stressed that although this trend…
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29 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Dr Martens owner acquires stake in K-Way
Permira Growth Opportunities II, a fund advised by global investment firm and owner of Dr Martens Permira, has entered into an agreement to acquire a significant minority stake in K-Way, a premium French outerwear brand, from BasicNet SpA, led by the Boglione family. Founded in 1965 in Paris, K-Way has…
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Sep- 2024 -5 September
Today’s news in brief-5/9/24
Asos has sold a majority stake in Topshop and Topman to Heartland, a move valued at £135m. Heartland, owned by Bestseller, will acquire a 75% stake while Asos retains 25%. The deal includes rights for Asos to continue marketing the brands online under a new joint venture, aiming to streamline…
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5 SeptemberClothing & Shoes
Primark UK sales drop amid weak footfall and bad weather
Primark’s parent company, Associated British Foods (ABF), expects like-for-like sales for Primark UK to fall by around 2% in the second half of the year, with total sales to be around 0.5% lower. This follows a like-for-like decline of 0.6% in the third quarter, which is projected to drop further…
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