London
This coverage focuses on retail activity, trends, and developments in London, a central hub of the UK retail industry. Reporting highlights flagship store openings, property developments, regional economic factors, consumer behaviour, and strategic moves by both international and domestic brands. Tailored for retail executives and managers, it offers insights into operating and competing in one of the world’s most dynamic retail markets.
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Oct- 2019 -24 OctoberPeople Moves
Debenhams poised to name Mark Gifford as new chairman
Debenhams is reportedly about to name Mark Gifford, former chief financial officer at House of Fraser, as its new chairman. According to Sky News, Gifford’s appointment as chairman of Debenhams holding company, Celine Holdings, could be revealed by the end of this week. His career included being the chief financial…
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18 OctoberSupermarkets
Walmart offloads Asda pensions amid IPO plans
Asda owner Walmart has reportedly struck a deal to offload £3.8bn worth of pension liabilities as it eyes a potential IPO. According to Sky News, Walmart and Asda’s pension trustees have agreed a deal with specialist insurer of corporate retirement schemes Rothesay Life. The move will see the company take…
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18 OctoberEconomy
Retail footfall plummets as autumn begins
Footfall in non-food stores fell by 9.9% year-on-year in September, according to the Retail Traffic Index published by Ipsos Retail Performance. Compared with August, the average weekly footfall in the month fell by -7.3%. Additionally, the number of shoppers visiting the high street in London and the south east continued…
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15 OctoberComment
How can the high street survive?
Recent news that fast-fashion retailer, Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy protection in Canada and the United States should have come as a shock. However, the latest high street casualty is just another name pending on a growing list. The troubles facing the UK’s retail sector are entrenched and well-publicised.…
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14 OctoberAdvice
Returns: Can you charge the customer?
“Can I charge for returns?” Well… Yes. But of course, it isn’t quite as simple as that. What to do about returns is one of the biggest challenges facing internet retailing. Fast fashion – and ASOS in particular – have struggled to deal with the increasing tendency for consumers (particularly…
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14 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Khaadi Fashion rescued after pre-pack administration
Asian clothing retailer Khaadi Fashion has been rescued after a pre-pack administration, saving the majority of its staff’s jobs. The Pakistani fashion and lifestyle brand was founded in 2013 and had operated from 10 stores nationwide in shopping centres such as Westfield London, Westfield Stratford, Bullring Birmingham and Trafford Centre…
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11 OctoberNews
Vans opens new boutique concept store in Covent Garden
Vans has kicked off what is described as its “UK retail transformation” with the official opening of its brand new boutique in Covent Garden, London. The store which is “the first of its kind in Europe”, is part of the Mercers’ company property estate is located on Neal Street, spanning…
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9 OctoberHigh Street
Links of London enters administration placing 350 jobs at risk
British jewellery brand Links of London has entered administration, placing around 350 jobs at risk. Matt Smith and Dan Smith, restructuring partners at Deloitte, have been appointed as joint administrators to the company. The brand is owned by the Greek Folli Follie Group, with headquarters in London, and sells luxury…
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3 OctoberPeople Moves
Burberry appoints new chief supply chain officer
Fashion retailer Burberry has announced that Jerome Le Bleis has been appointed chief supply chain officer, effective 1 January 2020. Le Bleis will join Burberry from Lacoste in Paris, where he is currently executive vice president of group operations. He has previously held senior positions at Carrefour and Nestle and…
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1 OctoberAdvice
From clicks-to-bricks
2019 continues to be an extremely turbulent time for the retail sector. Barely a week goes by when we don’t hear of yet another, long-standing and well-established high street retailer beginning to crumble as it struggles to keep up with a number of online rivals. In fact, new figures released…
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