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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Jul- 2025 -15 JulyFeatures
From darling to downfall: what went wrong at Seraphine
Seraphine, once the darling of maternity fashion, has collapsed into administration. Known for its stylish bump-friendly dresses and famously worn by the Princess of Wales during her pregnancies, the brand entered administration this July, shuttering operations and making most of its staff redundant. For a label that grew from a…
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9 JulySupermarkets
Lidl to trial self-scanning feature in loyalty app
Lidl GB is to test a new self-scanning feature integrated into its Lidl Plus app, as part of its ongoing investment in digital shopping tools. A friends and family trial will begin at four stores in September, with a phased national rollout planned from 2026. The feature will allow customers…
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9 JulyHigh Street
M&S boss confirms DragonForce behind cyber attack
Marks and Spencer chair Archie Norman has confirmed to a Parliamentary select committee that hacker group DragonForce was behind the cyber attack which forced the company to halt online orders and left customers with empty shelves. Norman told MPs that he believed the group was motivated by “partly, undoubtedly, ransom…
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8 JulyHigh Street
Retail footfall rises 1.5% amid warm weather and Oasis revival
Retail footfall rose by 1.5% week-on-week across all retail locations, primarily driven by a 2.9% increase in retail parks, followed by a 1.3% rise in high streets and a 0.9% uplift in shopping centres, according to the latest MRI Software’s data. Warmer weather, seasonal demand and the early momentum of…
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8 JulyClothing & Shoes
Seraphine enters administration after sales slump
Maternity fashion retailer Seraphine has ceased trading and entered administration, with most of its 95 employees made redundant. It comes after the retailer officially appointed Will Wright and Chris Pole from consultancy firm Interpath as joint administrators yesterday (7 July). According to the administrators, they are now exploring options for…
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7 JulyClothing & Shoes
H&M latest retailer to trial staff body cameras
H&M has started trialling body-worn cameras for its staff in the UK as retailers seek to address rising levels of theft and violence in stores. According to This is Money, the Swedish fashion retailer is testing the equipment at branches in Edinburgh, Wood Green and Beckton in London. It follows…
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Jun- 2025 -24 JuneOnline & Digital
Amazon to invest £40bn as part of major UK expansion
Amazon has unveiled plans to invest £40bn in the UK over the next three years, which will see it build four new fulfilment centres and new delivery stations whilst creating thousands of jobs. As part of the investment it will also upgrade and expand its existing network of over 100…
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13 JuneHigh Street
Warm weather fails to boost footfall in May
Retail footfall across the UK declined by 1.7% compared with May 2024, spelling a sharp drop from the 7.2% rise recorded in April, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic Solutions. The downturn affected most retail locations, with High Streets down 2.5% year-on-year, and…
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12 JuneEconomy
Retailers welcome £2bn police boost but urge for more action
Retail trade bodies have welcomed the £2bn funding boost for police forces in England and Wales, but cautioned that the investment alone will not be enough to tackle rising levels of high street crime. It comes as Rachel Reeves announced in yesterday’s Spending Review (11 June) that the police’s spending…
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11 JuneDepartment Stores
M&S restarts online orders after cyber attack
Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced that it has resumed online orders after halting them due to a cyber attack on its networks. The retailer stated that shoppers are now able to buy a selection of fashion items for home delivery across England, Scotland and Wales. The company stated that…
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