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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Mar- 2025 -19 MarchHigh Street
New TOFS owner eyes potential CVA and store closures
Modella Capital, the owner of The Original Factory Shop (TOFS), is reportedly working with Interpath Advisory on a potential company voluntary arrangement, according to Sky News. Having acquired the retailer four weeks ago with no remaining bank debt, Modella is seeking to restructure the business and is currently “exploring options”. …
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13 MarchNews
John Lewis staff miss out on bonus despite tripled profits
The John Lewis Partnership has confirmed its staff will not receive a bonus for the third year in a row, despite full-year profits tripling from £42m to £126m, with the group instead focusing on investment into employee pay. For the year ended 25 January 2025, overall sales rose by 3%…
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10 MarchDepartment Stores
John Lewis staff could miss out on bonus amid missed profit target
John Lewis employees could reportedly miss out on their staff bonus for the fourth time in the group’s history, amid news it could miss its full-year profit targets of £131m following weak festive sales.According to internal documents seen by The Telegraph, John Lewis said “lower consumer confidence and weaker than…
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7 MarchFeatures
WHSmith’s high street exit: what it means for the retail industry
After more than 230 years as a staple of British high streets, WHSmith is considering selling off its entire high street business. With around 500 stores facing an uncertain future, the company is shifting its focus to travel retail — airports, railway stations, and motorway service areas — where it…
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4 MarchSupermarkets
Supermarket sales rise 3.6% in February
Take-home sales at the grocers rose by 3.6% over the four weeks to 23 February compared with one year ago, according to the latest data from Kantar. It also found that retailer promotions helped to hold grocery price inflation steady at 3.3% in February 2025, as spending on deals rose…
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Feb- 2025 -28 FebruaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-28/2/25
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a public consultation on proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street, aiming to transform it into a greener, more vibrant destination. The consultation, open until 2 May, seeks public input on creating a Mayoral Development Corporation to oversee the area’s regeneration. Oxford Street, contributing £25bn annually…
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28 FebruaryGovernment
London Mayor launches proposal to pedestrianise Oxford Street
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has today (28 February) launched a public consultation on proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street. Oxford Street is an area of critical national economic importance, with an estimated annual contribution to London’s economy of £25bn in 2022. But the area has suffered in recent years…
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24 FebruaryFeatures
The decline of UK department stores: can they survive?
The decline of department stores in the UK has been one of the most significant shifts in the retail sector in recent years. High street giants that once defined the shopping experience have faced unprecedented challenges, leaving behind empty storefronts and a stark reminder of how much the landscape has…
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24 FebruaryPeople Moves
B&M CEO to retire as group lowers FY guidance
B&M has revealed that chief executive Alex Russo will retire on 30 April, as the group announced it has lowered its profit guidance for FY25 once again to a range of £605m to £625m. The group said the lowered guidance reflects the “current trading performance of the business, an uncertain…
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21 FebruaryEconomy
UK retail sales rise by 1.7% in January
UK retail sales volumes increased by 1.7% in January driven largely by food sales, the ONS has revealed. According to the new figures, sales volumes fell by 0.6% in the three months to January 2025, compared with the three months to October 2024, but rose by 1.4%, compared with the…
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