Retail news

• Lego-playing kidults help build UK toy sales during Covid lockdown

  02-09-2020 21:04
  
  Company is latest to benefit as pandemic forces families to spend more time togetherCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe rise of the kidult helped boost UK toy sales during the coronavirus lockdown, with Lego the latest business to benefit from parents joining their children on the playmat while pubs, cinemas and playgrounds were closed.Lego said on Wednesday that a rise in sales and profits in the first six months of the year was due to more families playing tog
  
  Read more

• Macy’s: thanks, but no thanks

  02-09-2020 19:04
  The retailer had been struggling long before the coronavirus pandemic
  
  Read more

• Revive London's West End with culture vouchers, urges thinktank

  02-09-2020 18:56
  
  Measures proposed to help area hard-hit by Covid include empty shops being offered to chefs and artistsDiscount vouchers, outdoor performances and reduced rent for artist residencies are some of the measures being proposed to kickstart the economic recovery and stem job losses in London’s West End amid the coronavirus pandemic.The absence of international tourists and the slow return of office workers to their desks have led to stubbornly low footfall in central districts, while consumer s
  
  Read more

• Macy’s points to uneven recovery from lockdown

  02-09-2020 18:32
  US department store chain still faces ‘deep declines’ in footfall in large cities
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• What the end of Eat Out to Help Out means for retail

  02-09-2020 18:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  To many consumers’ and businesses’ dismay, the UK Government’s Eat Out to Help Out Scheme came to an end on August 31.
  Since the Covid-19 pandemic gripped the country in March, the government has attempted to save the economy by introducing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, implementing mandatory social distancing and face coverings in public indoor spaces, introducing a VAT cut on food, accommodation and attractions, and the discount for eating out.
  Eat Out to Help Out me
  
  Read more

• Cross party parliamentary group formed to back retail industry

  02-09-2020 17:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // The Future of Retail All Party Parliamentary Group is formed to help and support the UK retail industry after the pandemic
  // It is now set to arrange meetings & discussions with retailers in time for UK Parliament’s return this monthParliamentarians from across the political divide have formed a group that aims to look at helping and supporting the struggling retail industry in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  The Future of Retail APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) was formally es
  
  Read more

• Burberry wins £573,000 PPE government contract

  02-09-2020 16:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Burberry was awarded more than half a million pounds to make PPE for the NHS
  // The contract was not advertised to other potential suppliers, according to government records published todayBurberry has been handed more than half a million pounds to make PPE equipment for the NHS, according to newly released records from the UK Government.
  The luxury fashion retailer had previously announced it would donate 100,000 items to healthcare workers back in April and was singled out for praise by Hea
  
  Read more

• Amazon has opened its first ever Whole Foods “dark store”

  02-09-2020 16:16 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Amazon is set to open its first ever Whole Foods “dark store” which will fulfil online orders but never open to the public.
  The new online-only store opened in Brooklyn’s Industry City Complex today, and will fulfil online grocery orders for customers throughout the city.
  Hundreds of new staff have been hired to work in the dark store as Amazon continues its expansion into the grocery sector.
  Dark stores have become an increasingly popular method for supermarkets to expand thei
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Adidas’ global creative director exits after Kenosha shooter comment

  02-09-2020 15:41 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Adidas global creative director Paul Gaudio exited the business on August 31
  // He left two days after he a comment of Kyle Rittenhouse – accused of killing 2 people during BLM protests in KenoshaAdidas global creative director Paul Gaudio has left the business, just days after making a comment on social media in the wake of a shooter killing Black Lives Matter protesters.
  Gaudio has served Adidas’ global creative director since 2014.
  He reportedly exited the sportswear brand and
  
  Read more

• B&M set to enter FTSE 100

  02-09-2020 14:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // B&M looks set to enter FTSE 100 after tonight’s quarterly reshuffle
  // It has emerged as one of the winners in retail during the pandemic
  // B&M’s closing market value yesterday was £4.75bnSpeculation is rife that discount retailer B&M is likely to be promoted into the coveted FTSE 100 index after a quarterly reshuffle takes place later today.
  The blue-chip index for the London Stock Exchange is updated every quarter, with the new rankings revealed tonight to be
  
  Read more

• Amazon accused of spying on employees by monitoring dozens of closed social media groups

  02-09-2020 12:38 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Amazon has been accused of spying on dozens of its employees’ private and public social media groups to keep tabs on who plans to strike.
  Amazon’s corporate employees are reportedly using social media monitoring tools to track groups used by its Flex delivery drivers in the UK, US and Spain, according to Vice.
  The online giant is using the tool to monitor both public and closed groups on sites like Facebook and Reddit, providing it with regular reports on issues being discussed
  
  Read more

• Lego reports sales jump after Covid crisis kept families at home

  02-09-2020 12:05
  
  Shoppers globally bought toys online while physical stores were hit by restrictionsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageLego, the toy brick company, has enjoyed a lockdown boost to sales as families around the world were forced to spend more time at home during the coronavirus pandemic.Total sales rose by 14% in the first half of 2020 and sales were up by more than 10% in its largest markets – including the Americas, western Europe, Asia Pacific and China &ndas
  
  Read more

• Debenhams’ deadline for takeover bids passes but rescue talks continue

  02-09-2020 12:05 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Debenhams talks go on as bid deadline comes and goes
  // However, rescue talks are still ongoing and Debenhams hopes to strike a deal by the end of this month
  // It would explore other rescue options only if a deal is not reached, and insists that liquidation is a last resortThe deadline that Debenhams set for potential suitors to make their takeover bids has come and passed with no immediate resolution, as rescue talks reportedly continue.
  Yesterday, news emerged that advisers from Lazard &nd
  
  Read more

• 'We are the end user': how women-led fashion tech companies are shaking up the industry

  02-09-2020 11:15
  
  Although the industries of technology and fashion are dominated by men at C-suite level, women are flourishing in the crossover area known as fashtech“I had to sell my Cartier bracelet, my Jimmy Choos,” says Lexi Willetts, a former lawyer, and co-founder of Little Black Door. She made nearly £30,000 last year reselling her clothes and accessories online. “I made half that,” says her co-founder, Marina Pengilly. She couldn’t quite bring herself to part with her
  
  Read more

• Forever 21 owner closes Brooks Brothers deal for £249m

  02-09-2020 10:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Forever 21’s parent company completes £249 million acquisition of Brooks Brothers
  // Authentic Brands Group has vowed to keep 125 stores out of its 200 stores in the US openForever 21 owner Authentic Brands Group (ABG) has completed its $325 million (£249 million) acquisition of menswear retailer Brooks Brothers.
  ABG and US shopping centre owner Simon Property have together paid for the assets and vowed to keep 125 stores out of its 200 stores in the US open.
  ABG owns Foreve
  
  Read more

• UK’s largest grocers sign Marcus Rashford’s food poverty taskforce

  02-09-2020 10:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Manchester United player Marcus Rashford’s food poverty taskforce sees a list of UK grocers sign up
  // Rashford launched his campaign in June in an effort to extend free school meals over the summerSome of the UK’s largest grocers and suppliers have signed up to a new food poverty taskforce set up by footballer Marcus Rashford.
  The Manchester United player launched his campaign in June in an effort to extend free school meals over the summer.
  Rashford’s food poverty taskforc
  
  Read more

• MPs urged to protect shopworkers against violence

  02-09-2020 09:37 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // BRC unveils Shopworkers’ Protection Pledge to protect retail workers against crime
  // Over 400 incidents of violence and abuse against shopworkers occur every day
  // 11 cross-party MPs put their name to the pledge for the launchThe BRC has launched the Shopworkers’ Protection Pledge in an effort to support the legislation necessary to protect retail workers against crime and violence.
  On Wednesday, a total of 11 cross-party MPs put their name to the pledge for the launch and the B
  
  Read more

• Lego defies toy sector gloom as sales and profits rise

  02-09-2020 09:30
  Plastic bricks maker overcomes Covid challenges with online investment and new products
  
  Read more

• Shop prices fall for 15th month but Brexit uncertainty could lead to inflation

  02-09-2020 09:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Shop prices have dropped for the 15th consecutive month
  // Prices fell by 1.6% during August compared to a 1.3% fall in July, according to BRC and NielsenShop prices have dropped for the 15th month running as retailers cut prices in an effort to encourage Brits to shop.
  Prices fell by 1.6 per cent during August compared to a 1.3 per cent fall in July, according to the latest BRC and Nielsen figures.
  This was below the 12- and six-month average price decreases of one per cent and 1.5 per cent
  
  Read more

• Ted Baker founder Ray Kelvin returns to boardroom

  02-09-2020 08:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Ted Baker former boss Ray Kelvin returns to board in active role
  // Kelvin resigned in March after the “forced hugging” scandal
  // He will have his views represented by non-executive director Colin La Fontaine JacksonTed Baker founder Ray Kelvin will return to the board with an active role in the running of the business for the first time since he resigned as chief executive due to “forced hugging” allegations.
  Kelvin currently owns almost 12 per cent of the fashion re
  
  Read more

• Ray Kelvin returns to Ted Baker via boardroom rep

  02-09-2020 08:37 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Ray Kelvin resigned in March after the “forced hugging” scandal
  // He will have his views represented by non-executive director Colin La Fontaine JacksonTed Baker founder Ray Kelvin will return to oversee the running of the business for the first time since he resigned as chief executive due to “forced hugging” allegations.
  Kelvin currently owns almost 12 per cent of the fashion retailer, but will not take a direct seat on the board.
  Instead, he will have his views rep
  
  Read more

• Ray Kelvin returns to Ted Baker role

  02-09-2020 08:37 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Ray Kelvin resigned in March after the “forced hugging” scandal
  // He will have his views represented by non-executive director Colin La Fontaine JacksonTed Baker founder Ray Kelvin will return to oversee the running of the business for the first time since he resigned as chief executive due to “forced hugging” allegations.
  Kelvin currently owns almost 12 per cent of the fashion retailer, but will not take a direct seat on the board.
  Instead, he will have his views rep
  
  Read more

• Alibaba doubles stake in Chinese courier in bid to fend off PDD

  02-09-2020 08:05
  Ecommerce giant pays nearly $1bn to boost holding in YTO as it tries to speed up delivery
  
  Read more

• Your Guide to Effective Product Recommendations in eCommerce

  02-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Coveo guest post: The reality is that online has become the only channel, meaning that customer expectations for the digital experience you deliver have only increased... View Article
  
  Read more

• WEBINAR – Lockdown easing – latest legislation and guidance for payroll & HR

  02-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  11th September | 2pm – 3:30pm : With lockdown easing, payroll and HR teams will need to get ready for the next wave of change. Understandably,... View Article
  
  Read more

• Seven Dials partners with Zandra Rhodes on wall art installations

  02-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  London’s Seven Dials has teamed up with artist and fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes to bring a splash of colour to the shopping district’s streets. Rhodes has created... View Article
  
  Read more

• Phase Eight offers in-store personal stylist service

  02-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Women’s fashion retailer Phase Eight has begun offering in-store personal styling appointments for shoppers. Registered customers are able to pre-book a 60–minute slot at a selected store via the retailer’s website. When booking, they are also asked to provide... View Article
  
  Read more

• Morrisons to hire 180 professional florists

  02-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Morrisons is to hire an extra 180 fully-qualified florists this autumn after research found that flowers have been the UK’s most popular purchase during lockdown. The move is part of plans... View Article
  
  Read more

• JML posts strong quarterly sales growth

  02-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Consumer products company JML has posted a 118% uplift in direct to consumer sales in the three months to 31 July. In addition, sales through high street retail... View Article
  
  Read more

• Homebase to transform its online shopping experience through partnership with THG

  02-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Health and beauty retailer The Hut Group has announced that its ecommerce division THG Ingenuity has embarked on a ten-year partnership with Homebase in which it... View Article
  
  Read more

• Belstaff opens New York store

  02-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Belstaff has made a return to the US with the opening of a new store in  New York’s Meatpacking District. Situated at 62 Gansevoort Street, the 2000... View Article
  
  Read more

• 7 key questions Retailers should be asking themselves for a successful shift to digital

  02-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  By Iain Banks, Group Vice President at TTEC in EMEA www.ttec.com/emea A recent survey by Brightpearl has revealed that over 50% of retailers have made no... View Article
  
  Read more

Follow @retailuknws on Twitter!