Pandemic
This coverage examines the impact of pandemics on the UK retail industry, focusing on operational disruption, financial challenges, consumer behaviour shifts, and recovery strategies. Reporting highlights store closures, safety measures, supply chain pressures, leadership decisions, and lessons learned to enhance resilience. Tailored for executives and managers, it provides insights to navigate crisis situations and strengthen preparedness.
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Aug- 2025 -26 AugustHigh Street
New Look owners appoint Rothschild to oversee sale process
New Look owners, Alcentra and Brait, have reportedly hired Rothschild to advise on a strategic review, which is expected to lead to a sale of the high street fashion chain next year, according to Sky News. It is understood that the appointment of the investment bank took place in recent…
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21 AugustPeople Moves
Waitrose managing director James Bailey to step down
The John Lewis Partnership has announced that James Bailey will step down as managing director of Waitrose at the end of September after more than five years in the role. Bailey joined in 2020 and led the supermarket through the pandemic and the cost of living crisis. Under his leadership,…
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13 AugustEconomy
Number of retail job vacancies lower than pre-pandemic, ONS finds
The number of job vacancies in the wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles category fell by 10,000 in Q2, the highest volume decrease of any category, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This category also has 37,000 fewer vacancies than its…
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13 AugustComment
It’s time we had a system that stopped taxing retailers as if it were 1599
Our high streets have had a tough time in recent years – battered by a global pandemic, war, energy shocks and soaring inflation. Yet despite it all, shops have kept going – serving their communities, creating jobs, and showing remarkable resilience. But resilience isn’t a plan for growth, and nostalgia…
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7 AugustEconomy
Luxury loses momentum as midmarket braces for impact, Colliers finds
Luxury and midmarket retailers across EMEA are recalibrating strategies in response to a cooling post-pandemic retail environment, according to a report from Colliers. Colliers found that after years of price-led growth, luxury retail is showing signs of fatigue. Brands such as Kering and Chanel reported revenue declines in 2024, while…
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6 AugustPeople Moves
Sainsbury’s announces leadership changes to drive Next Level strategy
Sainsbury’s has announced significant changes to its operating board in a bid to further strengthen leadership across customer experience, technology, commercial and sustainability, and support delivery and acceleration of its ‘Next Level’ strategy. The move sees Tracey Clements appointed to the operating board as chief retail, logistics and supply chain…
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Jul- 2025 -30 JulyClothing & Shoes
Closet London enters liquidation after three decades of trading
British womenswear label Closet London has entered voluntary liquidation after nearly 30 years in business. News comes after directors at the retail group officially appointed insolvency specialists Duncan Coutts and Rupen Patel of Coots and Boots on 21 July to manage the process. Creditors have since ratified the decision, giving…
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29 JulyPeople Moves
Greggs appoints new non-executive director and audit committee chair
The board of Greggs has appointed Robert Moorhead as an independent non-executive director, effective from 1 October 2025. Moorhead will become chair of the audit committee and join the nominations and remuneration committees. His appointment follows the planned retirement of non-executive director Kate Ferry, who will step down from the…
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25 JulyEconomy
Retail sales jump 0.9% in June
Retail sales volumes rose by 0.9% in June 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), following a revised 2.8% decline in May. Food store sales increased, with retailers attributing the rise to warm weather after a fall in May. Over the quarter, sales volumes were up 0.2% in…
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25 JulyHigh Street
Shoplifting cases jump 20% to record 530,000, ONS finds
Shoplifting offences in England and Wales have surged 20% to their highest level in more than two decades, according to the latest official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). According to data for the year to March 2025, police recorded exactly 530,643 shoplifting offences, which spells a 20%…
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