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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Aug- 2024 -27 AugustNews
Today’s news in brief-27/8/24
UK shop prices have fallen for the first time since October 2021, with the BRC-NielsenIQ index reporting deflation of 0.3% in August, down from July’s 0.2% inflation. Non-food items saw a deeper deflation of -1.5%, driven by heavy discounts on summer stock, while food inflation slowed to 2%, with fresh…
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27 AugustClothing & Shoes
M&S to trial new clothing-only format as fashion sales rebound
Marks and Spencer is reportedly looking to open clothing-only stores after a rise in demand for its lingerie and cashmere jumpers helped undo years of dwindling fashion sales, according to The Telegraph. It comes as the retailer plans to trial its first clothing-only store in London’s Battersea Power Station later…
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22 AugustClothing & Shoes
Shein mulls selling shares to British public amid IPO backlash
Shein is reportedly looking to sell its shares directly to the British public after its potential £50bn listing on the London Stock Exchange was met with backlash, The Telegraph has reported. It is understood that the fast fashion group is in the early days of examining a possible sale to…
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21 AugustSupermarkets
Waitrose to open 100 convenience stores amid £1bn investment
Waitrose has announced plans to open up to 100 convenience shops across the country over the next five years, just as the retailer has unveiled its latest vision for what its shops “could look like for customers in the future”. It comes as Waitrose plans to invest a “record” £1bn…
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13 AugustNews
Today’s news in breif-13/8/24
UK wage growth has fallen to a two-year low, with wages excluding bonuses growing by 5.4% in the three months ending June 2024, the lowest since 2022, according to the Office for National Statistics. Factoring in inflation, wage growth drops to 3.2%. Public sector pay rose by 6%, while private…
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13 AugustClothing & Shoes
Shein scouts Midlands warehouse ahead of London IPO
Shein is reportedly looking to open its first British warehouse within the Midlands’ “golden logistics triangle” ahead of its anticipated £50bn listing on the London Stock Exchange, according to The Telegraph. It is understood that the fast fashion giant has sent a team of representatives to the UK to look…
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12 AugustNews
Today’s news in brief-12/8/24
Asda’s chair, Lord Rose, expressed embarrassment over the supermarket’s recent performance, citing a 5.3% drop in like-for-like sales and a market share decline from 14.8% to 12.7%. He suggested it might be time for co-owner Mohsin Issa to reduce involvement. Asda has initiated a £50m store upgrade and £30m investment…
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12 AugustDIY
The Floor Room falls into administration, 201 jobs lost
The Floor Room, a sister company of Carpetright, has fallen into administration, causing a total of 201 redundancies across its operations. Administrators at PwC were brought in last Friday (9 August) and closed the retailer’s 34 John Lewis concessions, one stand-alone store in London, and its online operation “with immediate…
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12 AugustHigh Street
Pret hands out body cams to staff amid rise in retail crime
Pret A Manger has dished out body cameras to its staff amid a surge in shoplifting cases and attacks on retail workers in the wake of the pandemic, according to the Telegraph. The coffee shop chain has reportedly launched a trial of the body-worn cameras in six of its London…
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9 AugustHigh Street
Riots deter shoppers as footfall falls 4.8%
UK high streets appear to be feeling the full force of ongoing disorder over the past week with footfall declining by an average of -4.8% week on week from Sunday (4 August) to Wednesday (7 August) compared with an average decline of -2.7% in all UK retail destinations. The latest…
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