Retail news

• Sports Direct stores at risk as Mike Ashley slams business rates revaluation delay

  22-07-2020 23:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Mike Ashley warns some Sports Direct and House of Fraser stores may have to close
  // The warning comes after the government delayed the next business rates valuation until 2023Mike Ashley has warned that some of his Sports Direct and House of Fraser stores may have to close following the government’s decision to delay the next business rates valuation until 2023.
  Ashley’s Frasers Group, formerly Sports Direct, said the decision to delay the next revaluation of business rates has &
  
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• B&Q owner should do decent thing and return its furlough payments

  22-07-2020 21:08
  
  This should be self-evident to a FTSE 100 firm enjoying a boost to profits from the pandemicIn retrospect, it was obvious: DIY stores, once they could reopen, would enjoy a boom. Office workers stuck at home are more inclined to do their place up, and many will have more time to do fiddly jobs.Even so, sales at Kingfisher, owner of B&Q and Screwfix, aren’t simply strong, but are spectacularly so. Like-for-like sales in June were up 26% in the UK and Ireland and the pace has only slacke
  
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• Market Snapshot: United States of America

  22-07-2020 18:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Recent data by Trading Economics found that June retail sales in the US jumped by 17.7 per cent from a month earlier in May, after recovering from a record 14.7 percent fall in April. This marked the biggest rise on record as stores reopened when coronavirus lockdowns was eased across the country.
  The biggest increase was seen in clothing stores, which saw sales rise by 188 per cent. But compared to the same month in 2019, sales fell 6.1 percent.
  The global retail sector witnessed one of the ha
  
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• Westfield’s plans to turn House of Fraser site into office space approved

  22-07-2020 17:52 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Westfield’s plan to turn 104,000sq ft House of Fraser into flexible offices approved by local council
  // The  Westfield London House of Fraser to become 68,000sq ft of co-working space & 32,000sq ft of retailPlans to convert two-thirds of Westfield London’s House of Fraser store into a WeWork-style office space has been approved by the local council.
  Last night, the planning committee at Hammersmith & Fulham Borough granted permission for Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield&rsq
  
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• Eve Sleep narrows first half losses as sales exceeds expectations

  22-07-2020 17:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Eve Sleep reduces half-year underlying EBITDA by around 80% to approximately £1.2m
  // Although sales were down for the first half, in the Q2 it surged 25%Eve Sleep has said its half-year losses have improved year-on-year, and although sales fell in that same period it was still above expectations.
  The online mattress retailer said it reduced its underlying EBITDA by around 80 per cent to approximately £1.2 million during the six month period ending June 30.
  Meanwhile, although sal
  
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• Tesco announces new boss for F&F clothing arm

  22-07-2020 17:04 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Jan Marchant is the new chief executive of Tesco’s F&F clothing arm
  // She had been in the role on an interim basis since DecemberTesco has reportedly promoted Jan Marchant to the chief executive position for its F&F clothing arm.
  The news comes seven months after Richard Price stepped down to take up the clothing and home managing director role with Marks & Spencer, with whom he has worked previously.
  According to an internal staff note seen by Retail Week, Marchant was pro
  
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• Selfridges launches The Bike Shop

  22-07-2020 15:55 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Selfridges branches out to cycling for the first time with the launch of The Bike Shop
  // The shop will be located within the The Corner Shop space inside the Selfridges flagship on Oxford StreetSelfridges has branched out to cycling with the opening of its first-ever bike shop inside its Oxford Street flagship.
  The Bike Shop is the latest concept to take over the department store’s The Corner Shop and will see the space transformed into an electric vehicle destination complete with e-b
  
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• Armani & Yoox Net-a-Porter unveil new partnership

  22-07-2020 14:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Armani & YNAP announce deal to better integrate ecommerce site and physical stores
  // The Next Era deal builds on the relationship the two have had over the past 20 years
  // YNAP’s third-party unit has been the long-time operator and manager of Armani’s online storeArmani Group and Yoox Net-a-Porter Group (YNAP) have unveiled a new partnership that will integrate the former’s digital channels and physical stores as part of the latter’s Next Era initiative.
  The agre
  
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• Yahoo Mail users can now by Walmart groceries directly from their inbox

  22-07-2020 14:36 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Walmart has launched a new service allowing Yahoo Mail users to purchase items for home delivery directly from their inbox.
  Yahoo Mail, which was bought by Verizon Media for $4.5 billion in 2017, is set to become the first company to enable shoppers to purchase items directly from their email inbox.
  “Groceries from Walmart” will send Yahoo Mail users an email with a range of personalised grocery recommendations, which when opened will allow users to browse items, add them to their ca
  
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• Amazon rolls out Scout delivery robots to 2 more cities

  22-07-2020 12:43 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Amazon is expanding the rollout of its Scout automated delivery robots to two new cities as lockdown drives demand for contactless delivery.
  Amazon has been testing its cooler-sized automated delivery robots since the start of 2019 in its hometown of Seattle, expanding tests to South California in August.
  Its Scout delivery bots, developed entirely by Amazon engineers, will now be rolled out for testing in Atlanta, Georgia and Franklin Tennessee.Designed to withstand the demands of travelling nu
  
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• B&Q owner's sales surge on back of lockdown DIY boom

  22-07-2020 12:34
  
  The City had expected profits at Screwfix parent Kingfisher to fall after it initially shut storesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe coronavirus lockdown has inspired a surge in home DIY projects, lifting sales by a quarter at B&Q and Screwfix last month.Kingfisher, which owns the two UK DIY chains, said it expected half-year profits to be ahead of the same period a year ago as sales at its stores around the world surged by 14% in May, 25% in June and by mo
  
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• Tesco to donate surplus food to local communities via Olio amid push to become “zero food-waste business”

  22-07-2020 11:39 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Tesco has launched a new partnership with food waste platform Olio which will see it donate and distribute surplus food to local communities.
  Olio’s app, which operates in over 25 countries, will use a network of 9000 UK volunteers to pick up surplus food from Tesco stores and warehouses across the UK.
  These “Food Waste Heroes” will then post pictures of the food to the Olio platform, allowing those in need to select it via the app and collect it free of charge.
  According to Ol
  
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• UK’s high streets could become residential as Brits shift online

  22-07-2020 10:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // The Social Market Foundation has said UK’s high streets could be transformed into residential hubs
  // The move could create at least 800,000 new homes, the thinktank suggestedThe UK’s embattled high streets could be transformed into residential hubs as consumers increasingly shift to online shopping.
  In a report that seeks to review planning laws, the move is said to create at least 800,000 new homes, the Social Market Foundation (SMF) suggested.
  The SMF also said that while
  
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• Tesco staff in 1920 stores to clean shops after contractors axed

  22-07-2020 09:39 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Tesco axes contractors and hands extra work duties to staff at nearly 2000 stores
  // Staff have called the extra workload a “psychological blow” after unprecedented demandTesco has reportedly handed its staff in 1920 stores extra workload after its contractors were axed.
  The contract cleaners’ duties, including washing windows and floors, are being transferred to store staff.
  Staff have expressed concern, calling the extra workload a “psychological blow” after un
  
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• Kingfisher forecasts profit rise after lockdown DIY boom

  22-07-2020 09:34
  Owner of stores in UK and Europe was one of few to remain open during April and May
  
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• B&Q owner Kingfisher sales rise thanks to “strong demand”

  22-07-2020 09:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Kingfisher posts sales rise, boosted by store reopenings
  // Group like-for-like sales rose 21.6% in the 3 months to July 18
  // During the wider 6-month period, like-for-like sales dropped 3.7%B&Q and Screwfix owner, Kingfisher has seen an increase in second quarter sales thanks to “strong demand” across its EU markets and online.
  Group like-for-like sales jumped 21.6 per cent in the three months to July 18.
  The DIY giant said the its sales increase came as a result of sto
  
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• The Works hires property consultants to expand store estate

  22-07-2020 08:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // The Works hires property consultants GCW to help it find stores to launch across the UK
  // The value retailer currently has 530 stores trading across the UKThe Works has appointed property consultancy GCW as it seeks to expand its store estate across the UK.
  The value craft and stationary retailer hopes for GCW to help it find stores to launch across the south east of England.
  The Works currently has 530 stores trading across the UK, and is considering opportunities in towns across the S
  
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• CEO of Kate Spade and Coach owner exits suddenly

  22-07-2020 08:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Tapestry CEO Jide Zeitlin has resigned suddenly
  // Zeitlin was one of just six black Fortune 500 bosses
  // He was promoted to CEO in September 2019The chief executive of the company that owns retailers including Kate Spade and Coach, Jide Zeitlin, has suddenly stepped down for “personal reasons”.
  Tapestry’s Zeitlin was one of just six black Fortune 500 bosses and had been in his role for less than a year.
  He was the chairman of Tapestry since 2014, and became chief executive
  
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• CEO of Kate Spade and Coach owner exits promptly

  22-07-2020 08:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Tapestry CEO Jide Zeitlin has resigned suddenly
  // Zeitlin was one of just six black Fortune 500 bosses
  // He was promoted to CEO in September 2019The chief executive of the company that owns retailers including Kate Spade and Coach, Jide Zeitlin has promptly stepped down for “personal reasons”.
  Tapestry’s Zeitlin was one of just six black Fortune 500 bosses and had been in his role for less than a year.
  He was the chairman of Tapestry since 2014, and became chief executive
  
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• CEO of Kate Spade and Coach owner exits for “personal reasons”

  22-07-2020 08:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Tapestry CEO Jide Zeitlin has resigned suddenly
  // Zeitlin was one of just six black Fortune 500 bosses
  // He was promoted to CEO in September 2019The chief executive of the company that owns retailers including Kate Spade and Coach, Jide Zeitlin has promptly stepped down for “personal reasons”.
  Tapestry’s Zeitlin was one of just six black Fortune 500 bosses and had been in his role for less than a year.
  He was the chairman of Tapestry since 2014, and became chief executive
  
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• UK high streets could be turned into housing, says thinktank

  22-07-2020 01:01
  
  Report says 800,000 homes could be created as online buying and homeworking risePromises by government ministers to revitalise high streets with a new breed of shops should be abandoned in favour of turning town centres into residential hubs, creating at least 800,000 homes, according to a report that aims to influence a Downing Street review of planning laws.The Social Market Foundation (SMF) said the decline of the traditional high street could not be reversed by policies that “turn the
  
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• Book sales hit record highs in 2019, but publishers ‘now need help’

  22-07-2020 01:01
  
  Figures for last year show sales of £6.3bn, up 20% on 2015, but the Publishers Association says sector needs government support to weather coronavirus
  Book sales in the UK hit record levels in 2019, driven by a surge in audiobook and nonfiction titles, according to new figures released as publishers warn of the huge impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the industry.Book sales rose to £6.3bn in 2019, up 4% on 2018, when sales fell for the first time in five years, and 20% o
  
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• Webinar: Digital Retail Transformation 2020

  22-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  September 9-10: As we head into a new functioning normal, this series of webinars will help you create and retain engaged, connected and happy customers in... View Article
  
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• The Works seeks sites for new stores

  22-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Value retailer The Works is seeking sites across the south east of England for new stores and relocations. The retailer has hired property advisor GCW to find shops in prime high street... View Article
  
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• Tapestry announces leadership changes

  22-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Tapestry, the owner of Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman, has announced that its chairman and chief executive Jide Zeitlin has stepped down for personal reasons.... View Article
  
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• Kingfisher forecasts increase in half-year profits

  22-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q and Screwfix, has said it experienced strong demand from customers in its second quarter with like-for-like sales rising by 21.6%. In the three... View Article
  
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• Jigsaw hires advisors as it mulls potential sale

  22-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Fashion brand Jigsaw has appointed two sets of advisors to carry out a strategic review of its business. The process could result in a possible sale. KPMG... View Article
  
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• Grosvenor submits plans for new Mayfair retail and dining scheme

  22-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Grosvenor has submitted a planning application for the transformation of South Molton Triangle into a new retail and dining destination in London’s West End. Spanning two... View Article
  
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• Eve Sleep first half revenue exceeds expectations

  22-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Bed and mattress brand Eve Sleep saw its revenue come in above expectations in the six months to 30 June. Although it was down to £12.2 million from... View Article
  
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