Wales
This coverage highlights retail developments and economic trends specific to Wales, examining store openings and closures, regional sales performance, employment issues, and policy changes affecting the retail sector. Reporting provides retail managers and executives with insights into the unique challenges and opportunities shaping retail operations across Welsh towns and cities.
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Aug- 2025 -29 AugustSupermarkets
Aldi unveils bigger than expected pay rise for staff
Aldi has announced it will lift hourly pay for over 28,000 UK store employees beyond its previously announced increase, “reinforcing its commitment to never be beaten on pay”. From 1 September, the rate for store assistants will move from £12.75 to £13.02 an hour (rising to £13.95 with service), while…
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26 AugustHigh Street
Business rates ‘double hit’ to cost English firms £2.5bn
Businesses the length and breadth of England are “staring down the barrel” of a £2.5bn hike in property taxes from April 2026, as inflation and a new government stealth tax will combine to drive up business rates bills, according to analysis by global tax firm Ryan. A nationwide revaluation of…
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15 AugustSupermarkets
Aldi to upgrade more than 20 stores by end of 2025
Aldi is set to upgrade more than 20 of its UK stores before the end of the year, including two major extensions in Cumbria and Wales. Its stores in Barrow-in-Furness and Ebbw Vale will undergo full-scale extensions between now and December, while a further 21 sites will receive internal improvements…
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15 AugustSupermarkets
Lidl announces fifth pay rise in two years
Lidl GB will increase hourly pay rates for store and warehouse staff from September, marking its fifth wage rise in two years. Entry-level pay will rise from £12.75 to £13.00 nationally, increasing to £13.95 depending on length of service. In London, hourly rates will increase from £14.00 to £14.35, rising…
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8 AugustEconomy
Footfall declines in July for second consecutive year
UK footfall fell by 0.4% year on year in July, according to data from the British Retail Consortium–Sensormatic IQ, marking a second consecutive year of decline for the month. The figure was a slight improvement on June’s 1.8% fall. High street footfall declined by 1.7%, compared with a 3.0% drop…
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6 AugustSupermarkets
Aldi to open one new store a week for rest of 2025
Aldi is set to open one new store a week between now and the end of the year, expanding its UK presence with a wave of new sites and refurbishments. The discounter, now the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket, has already confirmed several openings over the next two months, including in Fulham…
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5 AugustShopping Centres
Network Rail sees retail sales hit record £915m in 2024/25
Network Rail has reported that its 19 managed stations saw retail sales rise by a “record” 8.7% to £914.7m in 2024/25, driven by growth and convenience outlets. During the period, like-for-like sales rose 5.8%, with London Waterloo generating £107.5m and London Bridge £100.1m, making them the first two stations in…
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1 AugustClothing & Shoes
Next acquires Seraphine brand out of administration
Next has acquired the brand and intellectual property of maternity fashion retailer Seraphine, following its collapse into administration at the beginning of July. Seraphine ceased trading on 7 July when Will Wright and Chris Pole of consultancy Interpath were appointed joint administrators. The move resulted in the closure of its…
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Jul- 2025 -29 JulySupermarkets
Co-op launches rail apprenticeships in prison to tackle skills gap and reoffending
Co-op and the City and Guilds Foundation have launched the UK’s first rail engineering apprenticeships in a prison, aiming to address skills shortages and reduce reoffending. The scheme, based at the Centre of Excellence skills hub at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk, will enable prisoners to complete Level 2 qualifications 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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