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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Mar- 2025 -6 MarchSupermarkets
M&S invests £95m into pay increase for retail staff
M&S has announced a £95m investment in its retail pay offer, its biggest ever investment in pay and third consecutive increase since Stuart Machin became CEO in 2022. From 1 April, the rate of pay for UK customer assistants will increase from £12 to £12.60 per hour, representing a 5%…
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6 MarchClothing & Shoes
Topshop teases Oxford Street return in new video
Fashion retailer Topshop has teased a possible return to Oxford Street in a new video posted online. On Instagram, the retailer published a video featuring London mayor Sadiq Khan urging Topshop to make a comeback to the shopping hub. In the clip, Khan reflects on his own experiences with the…
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6 MarchElectrical
Currys introduces ‘inflation-beating’ pay boost
Currys has announced an “inflation-beating” boost of 6% to colleague pay thanks to an £8m investment that will see a raise in the hourly rate paid to employees, combined with the retailer’s bonus programme. This boost means that skilled hourly paid store workers will have their minimum hourly rate rise…
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5 MarchDIY
B&Q increases hourly pay to £12.71
B&Q has announced that it will be increasing its UK minimum hourly rate to £12.71 per hour, and its London rate to up to £14.05 per hour. The increase will be paid in full from 1st April and not staggered across the year meaning that from April 2025, over 15,000…
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3 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-3/3/25
Asda is set to scrap bonuses for over 10,000 managers as part of cost-cutting measures amid challenging trading conditions. The decision comes shortly after chairman Allan Leighton returned to lead the supermarket after more than two decades, aiming to steer a turnaround for the struggling retailer. Leighton has already initiated…
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3 MarchClothing & Shoes
Club L London acquires Lavish Alice
Club L London has announced it has acquired women’s clothing brand Lavish Alice for an undisclosed sum. The brand said the new venture is a “testament” to its “consistent growth”, driven by “dedication, commitment, and expertise”. The deal sees Club L London acquire the brands’ intellectual property rights, website, inventory,…
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3 MarchPeople Moves
Angling Direct adds former French Connection COO to its board
Angling Direct has announced the appointment of Neil Williams, the former chief operating officer of French Connection Group, as an independent non-executive director effective immediately. A chartered accountant who qualified at KPMG, Williams joins with extensive retail, consumer and public markets experience. He held his board role at French Connection…
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Feb- 2025 -28 FebruaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-28/2/25
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a public consultation on proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street, aiming to transform it into a greener, more vibrant destination. The consultation, open until 2 May, seeks public input on creating a Mayoral Development Corporation to oversee the area’s regeneration. Oxford Street, contributing £25bn annually…
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28 FebruarySupermarkets
Whole Foods to open first new UK site since 2014
Whole Foods Market has announced it is set to open its first new UK site since 2014 on London’s King’s Roads. Whole Foods Market has more than 535 stores in the US, UK and Canada, with nearly 90 stores in the pipeline. In 2024, the grocer announced and opened a…
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28 FebruaryGovernment
London Mayor launches proposal to pedestrianise Oxford Street
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has today (28 February) launched a public consultation on proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street. Oxford Street is an area of critical national economic importance, with an estimated annual contribution to London’s economy of £25bn in 2022. But the area has suffered in recent years…
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