Turnaround
Turnaround in the UK retail sector refers to the strategies and interventions businesses deploy to recover from financial distress, operational challenges, or market disruption. For store owners, retail executives, and supply chain professionals, understanding turnaround efforts is crucial to navigating periods of change and identifying opportunities for growth or collaboration. Retail Sector’s coverage of turnaround includes breaking news on struggling retailers, analysis of restructuring plans, insights into leadership changes, and case studies of successful recovery strategies. We provide retail professionals with the information they need to anticipate market shifts, assess risks, and learn from the operational and strategic decisions driving transformation across physical stores, ecommerce, and omnichannel retail.
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Sep- 2025 -4 SeptemberHealth & Beauty
H&B to roll out revamped beauty format after trial boosts sales
Holland and Barrett has announced plans to expand its revamped beauty format across major UK stores next year, following a successful trial that delivered a 7% revenue uplift in pilot locations. The retailer said the new format reflects a shift towards “inside-out” beauty – a model that combines topical products…
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Aug- 2025 -27 AugustClothing & Shoes
Debenhams mulls PLT sale as pre-tax losses widen
Debenhams revealed it is planning to offload PrettyLittleThing (PLT) after reporting pre-tax losses of £264m for the year to 28 February 2025, up from £164m a year earlier. The group attributed the loss to a one-off exceptional item linked to strategic decisions, including the closure of its US distribution centre…
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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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21 AugustDepartment Stores
Debenhams completes £175m refinancing deal
Debenhams Group has completed a new three-year facility providing access to funding of up to £175m, led by former owner TPG. The new facility, which extends maturity to August 2028, replaces its previous £125m revolving credit facility originally due to mature in October 2026. Executed by the new management team…
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21 AugustHigh Street
Mama and Papas CEO to step down amid fresh growth plans
Mamas and Papas has announced that its chief executive officer, Nathan Williams, is to step down after seven years in the role, as the nursery brand sets out a new strategy focused on overseas expansion and digital investment. Williams, who joined the business in 2017, will remain in post while…
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18 AugustDepartment Stores
John Lewis to add 100 new clothing brands to lineup
John Lewis is reportedly adding 100 new clothing brands to its stores in a bid to compete with Next and Marks and Spencer. According to The Telegraph, the retailer is preparing to add dozens of new menswear and womenswear clothing ranges from British brands to help boost fashion sales. New…
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11 AugustSupermarkets
Asda nears £1bn IT upgrade completion
Asda is reportedly nearing completion of its £1bn IT upgrade, six months later than originally planned, according to reports from The Telegraph. The supermarket is expected to finish separating its own computer systems from the systems of former owner Walmart within the next couple of weeks. The company has spent…
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7 AugustHealth & Beauty
The Body Shop hires ex-L’Occitane MD to lead brand strategy
The Body Shop has announced the appointment of former L’Occitane managing director, Alia Sirina Hawa, to the role of chief commercial and brand officer, as the beauty retailer looks to grow under new ownership. Hawa, who has just joined the group this August, brings more than 15 years of experience…
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5 AugustNews
Asda in talks over £400m property deal with Blue Owl Capital
Asda is reportedly in advanced discussions to sell around 20 stores to US investment firm Blue Owl Capital in a deal worth approximately £400m, according to Sky News. The sale-and-leaseback transaction would see the Leeds-based supermarket retain control of the sites while raising funds to support its ongoing turnaround efforts.…
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Jul- 2025 -29 JulyFeatures
Claire’s on the brink: can the chain avoid another collapse?
For decades, Claire’s has been the go-to destination for sparkly earrings, scrunchies and ear piercings – a rite of passage for generations of teenagers. But the glitter is starting to fade. The jewellery and accessories retailer, which operates nearly 300 shops in the UK and more than 2,300 worldwide, has…
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