Pandemic

Has homeware become a fast fashion rite of passage?

This summer marks a bold new chapter in Primark’s retail journey, as the brand opens its first standalone Home store in Great Britain at Trafford Palazzo in Manchester. Following the success of its debut Home concept in Belfast, this 11,900 sq. ft, two-floor space aims to bring the full breadth…

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Retail sales see sharpest monthly fall since December 2023

Retail sales volumes fell by 2.7% in May, according to the latest retail sales figures from the ONS, marking the sharpest monthly decline since December 2023. The fall followed a revised 1.3% rise in April and was driven largely by reduced spending in food stores and weaker sales of clothing…

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Activist investor builds stake in WH Smith

Activist investor Palliser has reportedly acquired close to a 5% stake in WH Smith, worth about £65m at its current share price, according to reports from Sky News. Palliser is thought to hold WH Smith’s management team, led by chief executive Carl Cowling, in high regard with the move coming…

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Why the mood economy is shaping the retail landscape

Retail therapy is nothing new. For decades, shoppers have found comfort in the act of buying here and there to lift their mood, mark a moment, or simply to reclaim a sense of control. But lately something feels different in Britain’s buying habits, and it runs deeper than the occasional…

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John Lewis bosses face calls to bring back bonuses

The John Lewis Partnership is facing calls to reinstate staff bonuses, having last paid out bonuses in FY22, as it looked to turnaround the business in recent years.  According to The Financial Times, some workers have now shared an open letter and launched a petition through Organise calling on bosses…

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Oxford Street vacancies drop below pre-pandemic levels

The rate of vacancies on Oxford Street in London has fallen to 0.5%, the first time it has fallen below 1% since before the pandemic, according to data from Savills. Savills attributed this to an undersupply of quality vacant space, noting that good quality retail space has become “increasingly constrained”.…

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JD Sports pre-tax profits drop 4% to £923m in FY25

JD Sports has seen its pre-tax profits and adjusting items drop 4% to £923m during the year ended 1 February 2025, due largely to the group’s continued investment in infrastructure, controls and security.  Without adjusting items, profits before tax fell 11.8% to £715m during the financial year.  However, the retailer…

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The most sought-after jobs in British retail in 2025

By 2025, the British retail landscape is a mysterious blend of shuttered doors, mass sackings, and a thriving ecosystem of creativity and new career opportunities which can be home-grown. While the closure of thousands of stores and the whole transformation of the high streets made it look like the retail…

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A Lidl bit more: Why is Lidl investing in expansion?

On 28 April Lidl announced that it is going to invest £500m in store expansion, aiming to open more than 40 stores in the process. The budget supermarket has been rapidly gaining market share in the UK hitting a record 8.1% in May 2024, according to data from Kantar. With…

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Four D2C trends to watch in 2025

Personalisation Personalisation has long been a buzzword in retail, but in 2025 it is becoming a baseline consumer expectation, with many now viewing tailored shopping experiences as a standard rather than a luxury. Personalisation in 2025 goes beyond just product recommendations; it’s about creating an entire experience that speaks to…

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