Retail news

• Loyalty strategies set to dominate the retail industry in 2024

  08-12-2023 18:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Leading brands are now approaching loyalty as a digital transformation initiative, with retailers including Victoria’s Secret, Under Armour and JD Sports all having launched or redesigned their loyalty programmes in recent months.
  But loyalty programme initiatives are a heavy lift that need strong sponsorship across the C-Suite, with even the CEO regularly joining meetings to stay on top of new loyalty tech. The growing interest in loyalty programmes is no surprise given that customer rete
  
  Read more

• Oxfam shop and office workers strike for first time

  08-12-2023 10:36 via theguardian.com
  Unite union says average wages have been cut by 21% in real terms since 2018Hundreds of Oxfam workers are to go on strike from Friday for the first time in the charity’s 81-year history.Members of the union Unite, who rejected the charity’s latest pay offer, will take action on 17 days throughout December, including the last few shopping days before Christmas. The union said the strike of almost 500 workers would affect offices and 200 Oxfam shops. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Chewy: pet supply retailer could be leashed by an acquirer

  07-12-2023 19:32 via ft.com
  Expansion into animal healthcare make sense for US group
  
  Read more

• The Lex Newsletter: Amazon battles Shein’s shoo-in potential

  06-12-2023 13:32 via ft.com
  China’s fast-fashion upstart brazenly parks itself on US ecommerce rival’s turf ahead of blockbuster listing
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Return of rich tourists and weak yen helps Japan escape luxury downturn

  06-12-2023 06:00 via ft.com
  Country has remained a bright spot for top-end spending despite slowdown in many other markets
  
  Read more

• Fashion retailers join forces with the renewable sector to decarbonise production in Bangladesh

  06-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Fashion retailers H&M and Bestseller are teaming up with Global Fashion Agenda to develop the first offshore wind project in Bangladesh. The country is one of... View Article
  
  Read more

• THG staff ordered to return to office five days a week

  05-12-2023 17:05 via retailgazette.co.uk
  THG has said all employees based at its Manchester head office must resume in-office work on a full-time basis for five days per week, starting 2 January 2024.
  According to Retail Week, no consultation took place with the online giant’s staff before the change was announced and there has been no communication as to whether or not employees will be compensated for any additional travel costs.
  With no official staff consultation, it is thought that the move could cause some backlash among w
  
  Read more

• China’s credit outlook cut to negative; Rupert Soames named CBI president; trading outages in London – as it happened

  05-12-2023 17:01 via theguardian.com
  Moody’s cuts its outlook on China’s credit rating, while trading in smaller stocks in London is hit by systems problemsRupert Soames named as next president of CBI as it tries to rebrandShoppers cut back on non-essential items to add to UK retail gloomBack in the UK, car sales have risen again… but registrations of battery-powered vehicles were lower than a year ago.There were 156,525 new car registrations last month, which is 9.5% more than in November 2022. It’s the st
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• TikTok nears deal with Indonesia’s GoTo to restart ecommerce business

  05-12-2023 13:56 via ft.com
  Chinese video app hopes investment in Jakarta-listed unit will revive its fortunes after ban in its biggest market
  
  Read more

• More US holiday shoppers turn to ‘buy now, pay later’ loans

  05-12-2023 11:00 via ft.com
  Rise of high-tech instalment plans raise concerns about consumer repayments
  
  Read more

• Shrinkflation to help push up UK Christmas spending by £105, as cautious customers hold back – business live

  05-12-2023 08:54 via theguardian.com
  
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShoppers cut back on non-essential items to add to UK retail gloomUK clothing retailer Quiz has issued a sales warning to the stock markets, after a disappointing Black Friday.Quiz told shareholders that sales in October and November had been below management expectations, which it blamed on the cost of living and inflationary pressures for hitting customer demand during the financial year.As a result, the near-term outlook is difficult t
  
  Read more

• Ikea staff receive pay rise in £35m investment

  05-12-2023 08:54 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Ikea has injected £35m into a pay rise and bonus scheme to support staff through the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
  From January, hourly-paid workers will receive a 10% increase and salaried co-workers will see their pay jump by 5%, representing an investment of almost £10m.
  Eligible employees will also receive a share of a £25.6m bonus pot, taking home at least an additional month’s pay ahead of Christmas.
  Ikea has pledged to meet the new Real Living Wage, with hourly-pa
  
  Read more

• Farfetch seeks fresh funding to avoid collapse

  05-12-2023 08:34 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Farfetch is racing to secure fresh funding as it teeters on the brink of collapse.
  The luxury ecommerce platform is exploring several strategic options, including a possible take-private sale, to stay solvent, The Business of Fashion reported.
  Farfetch has £2.2m ($2.8bn) in financial obligations, which include £792m ($1bn) in loans and a £158m ($200m) credit facility it took out in September.
  The New York-listed business cancelled its quarterly earnings report last week and sai
  
  Read more

• Shoppers cut back on non-essential items to add to UK retail gloom

  05-12-2023 01:01 via theguardian.com
  
  Businesses bank on ‘last-minute flurry of festive frivolity’ after Black Friday fails to give November liftUK retailers are on course for a budget Christmas after shoppers cut back on the purchase of non-essential items in November to cope with rising food prices.Black Friday sales were unable to lift the gloom that has descended on the retail sector as many consumers struggled to cope with high borrowing costs coupled with high food and energy bills. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Watcho opens flagship store in Richmond

  05-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Watch retailer Watcho has opened a flagship store in London’s Richmond. The new space will offer brands such as Rado, Raymond Weil, Frederique Constant, Ball Watch... View Article
  
  Read more

• THG to acquire Biossance skincare brand

  05-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  THG is to acquire prestige skincare brand Biossance from US biotechnology group Amyris, which has recently commenced voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings. At an auction on 30... View Article
  
  Read more

• Ted Baker operator secures new funding for the brand

  05-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The operator of Ted Baker’s UK and European retail and ecommerce business has secured new funding to help grow the brand. Specialist asset-based lender Secure Trust... View Article
  
  Read more

• PiRA24 Judge Interview: Martin Newman

  05-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Meet Martin Newman, respectfully known as the “Consumer Champion,” and a seasoned professional with a career spanning more than four decades in the world of consumer-facing... View Article
  
  Read more

• Cautious UK shoppers cut purchases in run-up to Christmas

  05-12-2023 01:00 via ft.com
  British Retail Consortium says sales growth was below inflation in November, ahead of busiest spending period
  
  Read more

• Upmarket UK retailers ditch Christmas pud for panettone

  04-12-2023 16:36 via theguardian.com
  
  Selfridges hails Italian classic as ‘new undisputed champion of Christmas grub’ as demand soarsShoppers at upmarket British retailers are eschewing the traditional Christmas pudding in favour of panettone for a lighter festive dessert this year.Panettone has been steadily growing in popularity in the UK in recent years, but retailers said demand for the Milanese bread had soared this winter. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• M&S extends Christmas opening hours and food to order window

  04-12-2023 14:10 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  M&S has extended its opening hours over the festive period to help shoppers get ready for the big day.
  From 18 to 22 December, more than 400 of the retailer’s stores will be open from 6am until 10pm.
  A number of stores will also be open until 10pm on Saturday 23 December and 4pm on Christmas Eve.
  The retailer has also revealed it will close its stores, support centres and distribution centres on Boxing Day.
  M&S has also extended its Christmas food to order window until 13 December.
  
  Read more

• Currys unveils new retail media network as the sector booms

  04-12-2023 13:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Currys has unveiled its new retail media network, Currys Connected Media, as it seeks to grow advertising revenue.
  Samsung, Acer and Hisense are among the brands utilising the network, which is built on solutions from the electricals retailer’s tech partners including Circana, Epsilon and Criteo.
  The retail media network uses first-party customer data to better understand what consumers will be shopping for, and when.
  A range of new advertising vehicles then allow advertisers to act on the
  
  Read more

• In pictures: The first Wilko stores opened by The Range

  04-12-2023 10:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The first set of Wilko stores under its new owner opened over the weekend, marking the discount chain’s return to the high street.
  The Exeter and Plymouth stores are the first two out of five planned by The Range owner CDS Superstores, which rescued the brand from administration in September.
  Both branches will stock the retailer’s home and garden range, mixing brands with its own label. There is also an on-site paint mixing service in both stores.
  Self-service terminals are also in
  
  Read more

• Do you really need shiny new tech for Christmas? The answer is ‘no’

  04-12-2023 10:00 via theguardian.com
  
  If you are tempted to ask Santa for the latest smartwatch or phone, think again This Christmas, many Apple enthusiasts will be mulling over whether to shell out almost £800 for a new iPhone 15, while some commuters will be thinking of putting the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones on their list, although at £450, Santa will need to be feeling generous.But is it really necessary to keep on updating our phones, laptops, smartwatches and headphones as new models hit the market? The
  
  Read more

• We’ll take on Amazon and Currys in EE revamp, vows boss

  04-12-2023 09:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  EE boss Marc Allera said he is planning to take on Amazon and Currys as one of the UK’s biggest seller of electrical goods.
  The chief executive told The Mail on Sunday that he wants customers to buy items through the telco network “every day and every week”.
  “We want to be one of the top three retailers for consumer electronics,” Allera said, adding that his priority is to become a “viable alternative” to the big online shopping giants and High Street ri
  
  Read more

• Supermarkets ‘blatantly disregarding’ HFSS rules

  04-12-2023 09:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Some UK supermarkets are “blatantly disregarding” rules aimed at tackling childhood obesity by placing restrictions on where products high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) can be placed.
  According to a report from the Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) and Food Active, a quarter of the 25 stores they had visited had put sweets, crisps, fizzy drinks or other “less healthy” items in parts of the shop that include near checkouts or on end-of-aisle displays.
  The stores “were sho
  
  Read more

• Private equity firm explores £100m Jollyes sale

  04-12-2023 09:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The private equity owner of pet specialist retailer Jollyes is understood to be considering a sale of the business for more than £100m.
  City sources told The Times that the retailer’s private equity owner, Kester Capital, is working with financial advisors at Houlihan Lokey on “strategic options” for the business.
  Jollyes, which sells pet food, dog leads and toys, has 98 stores across the UK and has recently expanded into providing grooming and veterinary services in
  
  Read more

• Discover eCommerce Benchmarks & Insights for Food & Beverage

  04-12-2023 09:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Food & Beverage eCommerce has gained significant importance in the UK and in France. Digital marketing plays a key role in driving online sales, and impacts increasingly brick & mortar sales too.
  According to the MikMak Shopping Index, search and social media are the biggest eCommerce traffic sources for Food & Beverage brands this year. Did you know that TikTok is the social media platform that drives the most shopping traffic in the UK? In today’s challenging economic contex
  
  Read more

• Lush boss attacks Tories for ‘letting councils go bust’

  04-12-2023 08:54 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Lush boss Mark Constantine has blamed the government for the state of the high street as its cut on council finances has pushed some local authorities to the state of bankruptcy.
  The chief executive said a rethink was needed to prevent further decline after thousands of stores in the UK had closed in recent years.
  “The high streets in Britain are deserted,” he told The Times.
  “If the government wants us to become a nation of retailers and shopkeepers again, then it has to do so
  
  Read more

• The Body Shop reignites its fight against animal testing

  04-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Body Shop has teamed up with long-term partner Cruelty Free International to reignite its campaign against animal testing. The UK banned animal testing for make-up... View Article
  
  Read more

• Tessa Group invests in Sofa Club

  04-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Sofa Club has announced that Polish sofa manufacturer Tessa Group has acquired a significant shareholding in its business. As part of the investment, Tessa Group is... View Article
  
  Read more

• Superdrug opens “best-in-class” store at Brent Cross

  04-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Superdrug has opened a new larger, “best-in-class” store at Brent Cross Shopping Centre as it continues its expansion across London. Spanning 6,000 square feet, it is... View Article
  
  Read more

• Nisa appoints new head of central operations

  04-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Nisa has promoted Michelle Scott-Jones to the role of head of central operations. Now heading into her thirtieth year with the business, she previously held the... View Article
  
  Read more

• Majestic strengthens property team with two newly created roles

  04-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Wine retailer Majestic has strengthened its property team with two key appointments as part of plans to accelerate its store opening programme. In a first appointment,... View Article
  
  Read more

• It’s Black Fry-day! Demand for Air Fryers boosts Black Friday sales

  04-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Expectations for a good Black Friday weekend have been high in the consumer technology, durables and homewares markets which have had a challenging 2023 so far.... View Article
  
  Read more

• How to optimise your employee scheduling process

  04-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  By Lightspeed Retail: Employee scheduling can become a time-consuming chore when it comes to managing your retail business. When you start to look at how you... View Article
  
  Read more

• From punk roots to vinyl heights: Rough Trade’s ongoing legacy and expansion

  04-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  In the resounding resurgence of vinyl within mainstream music, Rough Trade emerges as a defining force, seamlessly fusing a love for music with operational expertise. With... View Article
  
  Read more

• French Connection joins line up at Manchester Arndale

  04-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  French Connection has opened a new store at Manchester Arndale. Situated at Lower Unit 30 in the shopping centre, the 2,189 square foot shop will stock... View Article
  
  Read more

• Cracking the code of Emotional Loyalty

  04-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  With more than 90% of retail companies offering their customers some type of loyalty program[1], brands are constantly looking for new ways to distinguish themselves from... View Article
  
  Read more

• Boots to donate 100,000 essential hygiene products to The Hygiene Bank

  04-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Boots is to donate 100,000 essential hygiene products to The Hygiene Bank as it looks to help people affected by hygiene poverty. The health and beauty... View Article
  
  Read more

• ASA To Step Up Deployment Of AI Technology To Monitor Greenwashing

  04-12-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is to harness  AI to combat greenwashing: strengthening oversight on environmental claims Greenwashing, as defined in the “Sins of Greenwashing” report,... View Article
  
  Read more

• Supermarkets in England ‘blatantly disregarding’ rules over where they place crisps, sweets and fizzy drinks

  03-12-2023 09:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Survey found stores put foods high in fat, salt or sugar in prominent locations despite government regulationsSome supermarkets are flouting “pester power” rules aimed at tackling childhood obesity, a report has found.In a survey, Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) and Food Active found that about a quarter of the 25 stores they visited had put sweets, crisps, fizzy drinks or other so-called “less healthy” foods in prominent parts of the shop, such as close to checkouts or in
  
  Read more

• Are young people poised to slam the brake on endless economic growth?

  02-12-2023 14:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The climate and cost of living crises make belief in expanding GDPs look as stale as last year’s mince pies. But when central governments rely on consumerism to shore up spending, it will be hard for ‘degrowth’ to gain any traction‘I’m not buying new stuff any more’: the young people getting into ‘degrowth’When Kat Butler made her first post-lockdown trip to the high street in 2021, she found herself staring, disorientated, at the aisles of clothes
  
  Read more

• ‘Eccentric doesn’t cover it’: dogs visit Santa Paws at John Lewis’s pet grotto

  02-12-2023 12:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The department store boasts its own grotto for pets to have some festive face time with Santa … and business is briskWhy Santa is packing more presents for pets this ChristmasOne definition of insanity is to do something over and again, expecting a different result. Another might be to find yourself in a busy department store on a Saturday morning, with two slightly out of control black labradors, sitting outside a Christmas grotto surrounded by “elves”, waiting to see Father
  
  Read more

• Creature comforts (and joy): why Santa is packing more presents for pets this Christmas

  02-12-2023 11:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Be it Advent calendars, crackers or cards, owners are more likely to scrimp on gran’s gift than the dog or cat’sDogs visit Santa Paws at John Lewis’s pet grottoFor pet owners the festive period used to mean hiding chocolate out of harm’s way and trying to stop the dog or cat fighting or climbing the Christmas tree. Now it seems many people are also busy helping their furry friends open Advent calendars and counting down the days until they can pull a cracker together.Sinc
  
  Read more

• ‘I’ll have a Greggs benedict’: baker brings fine dining to Fenwick bistro in Newcastle

  02-12-2023 09:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Fans of steak bakes and sausage rolls enjoy ‘posh Greggs’ experience at Parisian-inspired pop-up “It’s Geordie but a little bit posh,” whispered Vicki Steele as she prepared to look at the menu of Newcastle’s newest bistro. “We do exist, there’s just not many of us. In fact I’m not even a posh Geordie but she is,” she said, pointing to her sister.Steele is an early customer at a pop-up Parisian-inspired fine dining experience – Bi
  
  Read more

• Waterstones IPO would open new chapter for bookseller, says James Daunt

  02-12-2023 05:00 via ft.com
  Boss of the UK’s biggest books chain and of Barnes & Noble in the US argues listing would be ‘sensible’ for revitalised industry
  
  Read more

• Low UK potato harvests raise fears about Christmas supplies

  01-12-2023 16:12 via theguardian.com
  Experts say supermarkets may have to rely on imports from as far afield as Egypt, pushing up environmental impactUK farmers are struggling with one of the lowest potato harvests on record after an autumn of heavy rain, raising fears about supplies for this year’s Christmas dinners.Experts are warning that supermarkets could be forced to turn to imports from as far afield as Egypt to fill potential gaps on shelves, pushing up the environmental impact of the festive meal. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• PDD/Alibaba: nimble rival catches up with Jack Ma’s behemoth

  01-12-2023 14:31 via ft.com
  Temu owner’s global strategy has paid off
  
  Read more

• ‘It’s extortionate’: a mother’s struggle to afford rising price of baby formula

  01-12-2023 14:28 via theguardian.com
  
  Lone parent Rebecca Anderson feels women in UK who do not breastfeed are being penalised after 25% price riseIceland boss hits out at parent ‘exploitation’ in baby milk marketRebecca Anderson, 37, knows how it feels to be on the sharp end of baby formula price rises. A civil servant and lone parent in Middlesbrough, Anderson has noticed the price tag on the formula she feeds her 10-month-old son has been rising since he was born, reaching £13.50 in Tesco and Morrisons. Accordin
  
  Read more

Follow @retailuknws on Twitter!