Retail news

• Walgreens/Stefano Pessina: hanging his Boots up

  27-07-2020 20:35
  Change is sorely needed at the transatlantic pharmacy group
  
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• UK weighs online sales tax to prop up high street

  27-07-2020 19:22
  Downing St says it wants to examine all aspects of business rates system as stores struggle amid pandemic
  
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• LVMH profits fall worse than expected as virus hits sales

  27-07-2020 19:09
  Luxury leader’s biggest brands such as Louis Vuitton hold up better than smaller ones
  
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• LVMH profit dives as coronavirus hits sales

  27-07-2020 19:09
  Luxury leader’s biggest brands such as Louis Vuitton hold up better than smaller ones
  
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• Steinhoff: folly lolly

  27-07-2020 18:39
  Settlement would mark milestone in retail group’s rehabilitation and leave it back where it started
  
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• Harrods expects sales drop as visitor numbers plummet 95%

  27-07-2020 17:37 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Harrods predicts 45% plunge in annual sales
  // The luxury group saw visitor numbers drop by 95% since the Covid-19 pandemic struck the UKHarrods managing director Michael Ward has warned that Asian and US tourists may not return to the luxury department store until 2022.
  The group is anticipating a 45 per cent drop in annual sales as visitors to its Knightsbridge shop have plunged by 95 per cent to less than 4500 per day.
  Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Harrods saw an average of 80,000 d
  
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• Reinventing the plastic recycling loop

  27-07-2020 17:00
  A repackaging service attempts to strike at the heart of consumer goods models
  
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• Retail one of worst performing sectors for women in exec roles, research finds

  27-07-2020 16:51 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // New Women Count 2020 report show retail is one of worst performing sectors for gender diversity in senior roles
  // Only 24% of executive committee members in the UK’s retail sector are womenA new report has found that the retail sector is one of the worst performing sectors for gender diversity in senior roles.
  The Women Count 2020 report, funded by The Pipeline, a gender diversity business, found that only 24 per cent of executive committee members in the UK’s retail sector are w
  
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• Unsung Hero: Bernie de Le Cuona, Founder & CEO, De Le Cuona

  27-07-2020 16:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  When Bernie de Le Cuona founded her home furnishings businesses over 25 years ago, she started with a range of cushions that she took in person to interior design stores in hopes to generate sales.
  Since then her business, De Le Cuona, has grown into a luxury retailer with stores in London and New York, as well as a global distribution. She’s managed to weather many storms, such as the 2008 global financial crisis and the current coronavirus pandemic – and De Le Cuona has managed to
  
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• Steinhoff offers $1bn to settle investor lawsuits

  27-07-2020 16:19
  South African conglomerate seeks to resolve $8bn of legal claims stemming from accounting scandal
  
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• VF Corp picks Milan for first multi-brand store

  27-07-2020 15:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // VF Corp to launch first multi-brand store in Milan
  // VF Corp owns the likes of The North Face, Vans and TimberlandVF Corporation has chosen Milan as the location top debut its first multi-brand concept store.
  Slated to open this autumn, the three storey, 22,000sq ft store will mainly stock product from its The North Face, Timberland and Napapijri fascias.
  Other VF Corp brands will also make an appearance in the store from time to time.READ MORE: Vans owner VF Corp eyes new acquisitions
  
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• Rishi Sunak could levy online sales tax to protect high streets

  27-07-2020 14:54 via theguardian.com
  
  Chancellor considering move as coronavirus causes wave of retail job losses
  Rishi Sunak is exploring plans for an online sales tax to protect high street shops amid mounting competition from internet retailers.Against a backdrop of rising retail job losses and store closures triggered by the coronavirus crisis, the chancellor is looking at taxing internet shopping as a potential replacement for business rates – the levy on companies based on the premises they occupy. Continue reading...
  
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• British retailers issue warning over potential online sales tax

  27-07-2020 14:54 via theguardian.com
  
  Shoppers will pay more if chancellor goes ahead with digital levy in England and Wales, says lobby group
  An online sales tax would push up prices for consumers, the British retail industry lobby group has warned, after it emerged that Rishi Sunak is exploring plans for a levy to protect high street shops from mounting competition.Against a backdrop of rising retail job losses and store closures triggered by the coronavirus crisis, the chancellor is looking at taxing internet shopping for England
  
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• 163 jobs at risk as Oak Furnitureland proposes 27 store closures

  27-07-2020 14:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Oak Furnitureland proposes to close down 27 out of its 105 stores
  // The move places 163 staff members at risk of redundancy
  // Last month Oak Furnitureland was rescued from collapse in a pre-pack administration dealOak Furnitureland has revealed plans to shut down 27 showrooms, in a move which will put 163 jobs at risk.
  The hardwood furniture retailer announced the restructuring plans just over a month after it was rescued from collapse via a pre-pack administration deal.
  It said it has now
  
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• Mark Newton-Jones steps down as Mothercare executive director

  27-07-2020 13:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Mothercare’s Mark Newton-Jones steps down as executive director
  // He will continue to serve as a non-executive director subject to his re-election at the next AGMMothercare has announced that Mark Newton-Jones has now stepped down as an executive director of the business.
  However, he will continue to serve as a non-executive director subject to his re-election at the maternity and baby product retailer’s next AGM.
  In January, Newton-Jones had relinquished his role as chief execut
  
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• Asda rolls out high-tech trolley cleaning machine which can kill 99.9% of bacteria in 15 seconds

  27-07-2020 13:12 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Asda is trialing a trolley cleaning machine which will kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria in a matter of seconds.
  Asda’s superstore in Morley will be testing the new high-tech machine which uses electrostatically charged mist to cover the trolleys in anti-microbial liquid.
  The technology, developed by WasteCare group, ensures the entire trolley is covered in the mist allowing store staff to pass stacks of trolleys through the machine to be cleaning within 15 seconds.
  According to the company,
  
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• Jack Wills to launch kidswear to “improve brand positioning”

  27-07-2020 11:56 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Jack Wills to launch kidswear range this December
  // Jack Wills aims to focus more on its lifestyle proposition with the new collectionJack Wills is set to launch a kidswear range for the first time via a licensing partnership with clothing manufacturer Brands Machine Group.
  The group has secured an agreement to design, manufacture and market Jack Wills kidswear apparel and accessories for boys and girls ages up to 16 years old.
  Jack Wills aims to focus more on its lifestyle proposition with
  
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• Sainsbury’s is launching a virtual queing system to help vulnerable shoppers social distance

  27-07-2020 11:32 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Sainsbury’s is introducing a virtual queuing system across its UK stores helping vulnerable customers avoid crowds when grocery shopping.
  Sainsbury’s has partnered with Ufirst to roll out its new virtual queuing system, which it is set to trial at five UK stores in Pimlico, Leicester North, Watford, Newham Royal Warf and Uxbridge until mid-August.
  Shoppers can join a virtual queue after downloading the Sainsbury’s app then monitor their position from any destination, before rec
  
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• Retailers urged to drop Chinese supply chain over forced labour concerns

  27-07-2020 11:13 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Retailers called to stop sourcing clothes from factories in Xinjiang, China after forced labour concerns
  // The factories have been accused of holding a million Uighurs and other Muslims in detention centresRetailers have been criticised for sourcing their clothes from factories in Xinjiang, China, which was recently accused by the United Nations for holding at least a million Uighurs and other Muslims in detention centres.
  Xinjiang has denied mistreatment and said the camps offer vocational
  
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• Chancellor mulls online sales tax to rescue bricks-and-mortar

  27-07-2020 10:03 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Chancellor is considering an online sales tax
  // There may be a 2% levy on online sales
  // The mulling comes after high street retailers saw Covid-19 affect tradingChancellor Rishi Sunak has reportedly said he is considering an online sales tax to raise £2 billion a year in an effort to “save” the UK high street in the wake of Covid-19.
  The government may impose a two per cent levy on online sales as well as a charge for online deliveries.
  Sunak aims for an online tax t
  
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• Ben Sherman & Jeff Banks owner mulls 18 store closures & 262 job cuts

  27-07-2020 10:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Baird Group launches CVA proposal that features 18 store closures and 262 job cuts
  // The Baird Group owns Ben Sherman, Jeff Banks and Suit Direct, with 47 stores and 87 concessions
  // The CVA proposal will be put to a creditor vote on August 10The parent company of menswear retailer Ben Sherman is reportedly mulling plans to close down more than a third of its stores as well as seek rent cuts with landlords.
  According to the Financial Times, Baird Group – which also owns Jeff Bank
  
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• Ben Sherman & Jeff Banks licensee mulls 18 store closures & 262 job cuts

  27-07-2020 10:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Baird Group launches CVA proposal that features 18 store closures and 262 job cuts
  // The Baird Group is a licensee of Ben Sherman, Jeff Banks and Suit Direct, and has 47 stores and 87 concessions
  // The CVA proposal will be put to a creditor vote on August 10One of the licensees of menswear retailer Ben Sherman is reportedly mulling plans to close down more than a third of its stores as well as seek rent cuts with landlords.
  According to the Financial Times, Baird Group – which is
  
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• Debenhams up for sale

  27-07-2020 09:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Debenhams prepares to seek new owners via a sale of the business
  // Other options are being considered to help secure its future after its administration earlier this year
  // It trades from 124 stores and permanently closed down around 20 stores during lockdownDebenhams is reportedly pushing forward with a plan that could see a change of hands  after retailer fell into administration for the second time within a year during lockdown.
  According to The Mail on Sunday, investment bank Lazar
  
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• UK's full economic recovery could take until 2024, says EY report

  27-07-2020 07:01 via theguardian.com
  
  Thinktank predicts economy will shrink by 20% in April to June putting back a full recovery 18 months later than forecastThe UK’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis could take 18 months longer than expected with hopes of a V-shaped recovery fading fast, according to a leading economic forecaster.Britain’s economic output is not expected to return to its 2019 level until the end of 2024, the EY Item Club said on Monday in its latest projections on the health of the UK economy.
  
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• Ben Sherman store closures planned to avoid collapse

  27-07-2020 05:00
  Fashion retailer aims to emerge slimmer and fitter if deal with creditors is agreed
  
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• Ben Sherman owner plans store closures to avoid collapse

  27-07-2020 05:00
  Fashion retailer aims to emerge slimmer and fitter if deal with creditors is agreed
  
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• VF Corporation to launch first multi-brand store

  27-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  VF Corporation has chosen Milan as the location of its first multi-brand store. Due to open this autumn, the shop will be housed inside a historic building at... View Article
  
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• UK retail footfall continues to improve

  27-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  New figures have shown that footfall in UK retail destinations rose by 4.4% last week from the previous seven days. Data from retail specialist Springboard shows that footfall climbed by 4%... View Article
  
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• Sainsbury’s trials virtual queuing system

  27-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Sainsbury’s supermarket chain is piloting a virtual queuing system to test whether the technology will help customers to save time in-store and stay safe during the... View Article
  
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• Rapha to open Canary Wharf pop-up

  27-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Cycling brand Rapha is to open a summer pop-up shop at London’s Canary Wharf later this week. Due to launch on 27 July, the store will aim to... View Article
  
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• parcelLab marks 5th anniversary by announcing raft of new hires as part of its expansion strategy

  27-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Post-purchase and operations experience start-up, parcelLab, celebrates five years of strong business growth, increasing global headcount to 80 people. The post-purchase and operations experience specialist founded... View Article
  
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• Oak Furnitureland plans 27 store closures

  27-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Oak Furnitureland has said it plans to close 27 of its 105 UK stores in a move that will put 163 jobs at risk. The decision has come... View Article
  
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• HTK helps Krispy Kreme UK launch new cross-channel loyalty program

  27-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Krispy Kreme UK has announced the launch of their revamped loyalty program, powered by technology vendor HTK. Krispy Kreme Rewards replaces the existing Friends of Krispy... View Article
  
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• French Connection secures funding from Hilco

  27-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Fashion retailer French Connection has said in-store sales have been impacted by low footfall since they reopened after the Covid-19 lockdown as it also reported that it... View Article
  
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• Experts tips for pandemic-proof payroll

  27-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The global Covid-19 pandemic has challenged even the most robust organisations and smart leaders. It is doubtful that any business anticipated months of lockdown without months... View Article
  
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• Cubitts to open first store outside of London

  27-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Spectacle maker Cubitts is to open its first store outside of London next month in Brighton’s North Laine shopping district. Situated on the corner of Sydney Street and... View Article
  
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• Central England Co-op embarks on recruitment drive

  27-07-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Central England Co-op is launching a recruitment drive to attract new members. The retailer said the move follows a spike in the number of customers asking... View Article
  
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