Northern Ireland
This coverage focuses on retail developments in Northern Ireland, including store openings and closures, local consumer trends, investment initiatives, and regional market performance. Reporting examines how retailers adapt strategy, site selection, and operations to the region’s economic, cultural, and demographic context — providing insights for executives, managers, and professionals overseeing retail activity across Northern Ireland.
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Jan- 2024 -5 JanuaryNews
Today’s news in brief-5/1/24
Asda and Usdaw have signed a collective bargaining agreement, enabling the union to represent hourly-paid employees in convenience stores and Leon restaurants acquired from EG Group. Usdaw will negotiate on pay, hours, and holidays annually for employees across 356 convenience stores and 77 Leon restaurant sites. Asda’s Chief People and…
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5 JanuaryEconomy
Northern Ireland records investment volumes of £338m, CBRE finds
Northern Ireland’s commercial investment sector held steady in 2023 despite economic challenges, recording total investment volumes of £338m, CBRE NI has revealed. Investment sales were accumulated across 31 transactions, exceeding 2022’s tally of £330m and marking the investment sector’s strongest performance since 2015. The standout transactions of the year included…
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5 JanuarySupermarkets
Asda and Usdaw sign collective bargaining agreement
Asda and Usdaw have signed a collective bargaining agreement that will see the union represent hourly-paid employees in the convenience stores and Leon restaurants that Asda acquired from EG Group. Following the agreement, Usdaw will negotiate on pay, hours and holidays annually for those employed in 356 convenience stores and…
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Dec- 2023 -19 DecemberNews
Today’s news in brief
South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang has reportedly reached an agreement to acquire Farfetch in a $500m rescue deal. The transaction involves a bridge loan to Farfetch and negotiations with a group of debtholders holding a significant portion of Farfetch’s term loan. The London-based luxury retailer is expected to undergo acquisition…
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19 DecemberNews
Asda opens 81 Express stores ahead of Christmas
Asda has opened a record 81 new Asda Express stores in December in a bid to bring Asda value to even more communities ahead of Christmas. The conversions of its recent acquisition of Co-op and EG UK sites, alongside the opening of eight standalone Asda Express stores, brings the total…
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13 DecemberNews
Rituals becomes latest retailer to join Victoria Square
Rituals has become the latest retailer to join Victoria Square as the retail and leisure destination in Northern Ireland completes over 10 leases from international and national brands in the past 12 months. Located on the lower ground floor next to Ted Baker, Rituals new 3,530 sq ft store will…
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1 DecemberNews
Today’s news in brief- 1/11/23
Matthew Moulding, the founder of THG, has acquired a 3.2% stake in Kelso Group, a shareholder critical of THG’s business leadership. Moulding’s investment of approximately £300,000 comes amid Kelso’s consistent claims that THG is undervalued, advocating for the separation of its divisions. Kelso, launched in 2022, raised £3m to invest…
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1 DecemberHigh Street
Early signs of footfall recovery ahead of festive trading, BRC finds
The retail sector experienced early signs of footfall recovery in November as total UK footfall decreased by 0.7% in November(YoY), an improvement on -5.7% in October, according to the latest data from the BRC. High Street footfall decreased by 1.7%, an improvement on -4.6% in October, whereas Retail Parks again…
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Nov- 2023 -21 NovemberNews
Businesses call to freeze Northern Ireland rate
A diverse range of business organisations have united to call on the leaders of the local political parties to support their call for the regional rate in Northern Ireland to be frozen. The director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, Neil Johnston led the appeal and has been supported by…
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6 NovemberHigh Street
Wilko to open first three concept stores before Christmas
Wilko will be opening five stores in Plymouth, Exeter and Luton before Christmas ahead of a wider roll out in 2024. The Plymouth store, which will be located at Unit A, Armada Centre, Mayflower Street, will open on 1 December, while the Exeter Store will open at Unit 100, Guildhall…
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