Matalan

Matalan losses widen to £67m

Matalan has revealed a loss-before-tax for the 52 weeks to 24 May 2025 of £67m, up from £60m the previous year, driven by “exceptional non-cash impacting items”. Total revenue fell 9% to £985m, down from £1.08bn in 2024, although performance improved in the second half, particularly online. Gross margin rose…

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Asda reappoints Darren Blackhurst as food CCO

Asda has announced the appointment of Darren Blackhurst as its new chief commercial officer for food, marking his return to the supermarket after more than a decade. Blackhurst, who held the same role at Asda between 2006 and 2010, will rejoin the business on 28 July. He replaces Kris Comerford,…

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Matalan to open 10 stores annually amid £25m investment

Matalan has announced that it is set to invest over £25m in its UK store estate following the £25m of additional funding secured from its anchor investors last month. This marks the first phase of a long-term programme to modernise Matalan’s full estate over the next three to five years…

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Today’s news in brief-22/4/25

Marks & Spencer has apologised to customers after a technical glitch disrupted contactless payments and click-and-collect services over the Bank Holiday weekend. Shoppers reported frustration at being unable to complete purchases, with some forced to abandon full trolleys. The issue also affected M&S’s email and chat systems, preventing advance customer…

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Matalan secures £25m in funding for store and digital transformation

Matalan has announced that it has secured an additional £25m of funding from its anchor investors Invesco, Tresidor, Man Group and Napier Park. The retailer stated that the funding will be used to accelerate investment to support Matalan’s multi-year business transformation plan and the delivery of its strategy. This will…

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Today’s news in brief-10/3/25

WH Smith is nearing a decision on the sale of its high street business, with two bidders, Alteri Investors and Modello Capital, remaining in the race. The retailer, which has seen its Travel business outperform high street outlets, confirmed in January it was exploring strategic options, including a potential sale.…

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Matalan appoints former N-Brown executive as CCO

Matalan has announced the appointment of ex-N Brown chief executive Sarah Welsh as its new chief product, brand and commercial officer. Welsh brings 30 years of retail experience and has been N-Brown’s CEO for five years. During her tenure she was credited for transforming the group’s traditional catalogue offer to…

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M&S and John Lewis top list for highest female board representation

M&S and John Lewis are among several retailers who are leading the way for gender equality in boardrooms. According to the FTSE Women Leaders Review report for 2025, women now occupy nearly 43% – or a total of 1,275 – of roles on company boards in the UK.  A number…

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Today’s news in brief-6/2/25

Tesco is reportedly considering a takeover of over 100 Crown Post Office branches, potentially safeguarding them from closure as the state-owned Post Office reviews its directly managed network. Post Office chairman Nigel Railton informed MPs that Tesco expressed interest in acquiring the loss-making branches, part of a broader strategic review…

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Asda recruits former Matalan CEO as non-exec director

Asda has announced the appointment of Jo Whitfield, the former CEO of Matalan, to the role of non-executive director.  Until last year, she led Matalan’s business turnaround strategy and a refocus on value.  Whitfield, who has previously spent eight years with Asda and its clothing brand George from 2008, had…

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