New Look

Asda to invest £10m into upgrading 180 in-store cafes

Asda has announced there will be a £10m refresh program in over 180 of its in-store cafes. The project, led by partner Compass, will begin this month and is expected to be completed by the end of October. The cafés, which are managed by Compass, will be upgraded to have…

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Revolution Beauty CEO to step down and join Ulta as merchandise boss

Revolution Beauty has announced that chief executive Lauren Brindley will be stepping down from her role and as a member of the board on 31 May 2025, in order to join Ulta Beauty as a chief merchandising and digital officer.  Upon Brindley’s departure at the end of May, Colin Henry…

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Today’s news in brief-4/4/25

Manchester-based online retailer THG has successfully completed its debt refinancing, extending arrangements until December 2029. The refinancing includes a partial extension of its Term Loan B to €445m (£376.6m), a £74m repayment of Term Loan A, and the extension of a £150m revolving credit facility to May 2029. The move…

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New Look to ‘supercharge’ digital growth with £30m investment

New Look has secured a £30m investment from shareholders to accelerate its digital transformation and optimise its online experience for customers. Over the last five years the brand has invested significantly to elevate its digital capabilities: upgrading its website and app, building a social media community of 7m followers, and…

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Is going private the next big trend in retail?

Walgreens Boots Alliance was acquired by the American private equity firm Sycamore Partners in a deal valued at up to $23.7bn (£18.3 billion). Around the same time, Pepco Group, owner of Poundland, received interest from potential buyers for its 825-store Poundland business in the UK. With major retailers opting for…

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Today’s news in brief-17/3/25

Fenwick, the family-owned retailer, is facing significant financial challenges, with pre-tax losses widening to £38.1m in the year to January 2024, up from £28.4m the previous year. The company has been operating at a loss for six years due to high inflation, increased costs, and tough market conditions. Despite efforts…

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New Look to open new concept store at Bluewater

New Look is set to relocate to a new 12,120 sq foot concept store at Bluewater.  The new store will open on 3 April and will be located on the Upper Thames Walk. It will feature New Look’s first omni-hub space, integrating new initiatives including digital inspiration, showrooms and displays. …

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Is New Look right to close up shops?

The tax increases unveiled in the October 2024 budget have further complicated the outlook for retailers in the new year. One such high street retailer, New Look, which has managed to narrow its pre-tax loss to £21.7m in the year to March 2024, now faces the difficult task of balancing…

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Strategic market entry: when to follow and when to challenge

The decision of how to enter a new market represents one of the most critical strategic choices a retailer can make. While conventional wisdom often suggests avoiding direct competition with established market leaders, the reality is more nuanced. Success depends on carefully analysing market conditions and choosing an approach that…

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Today’s news in brief-6/1/25

Fast-fashion retailer Shein is set to face scrutiny from a Parliamentary Committee over labour practices in its supply chain. The inquiry, part of the government’s employment rights initiative, also involves Chinese firm Temu. The committee, chaired by ex-Labour minister Liam Byrne, aims to tackle forced labour concerns and inadequate protection…

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