Retail news

• Wales retailers call for clarity on non-essential goods

  26-10-2020 20:39
  Devolved government weighs whether to allow shops not to have to enforce the law
  
  Read more

• UK restaurants warned against exploiting Covid restriction loophole

  26-10-2020 19:32
  Government says eateries must not use ‘business lunches’ exemption to fill their tables
  
  Read more

• DHL hires 10,000 workers as it prepares for record Christmas season

  26-10-2020 18:46
  Delivery company invests €1bn on increasing capacity to cope with boom in online shopping
  
  Read more

• The Hut Group has an Ocado-like tinge

  26-10-2020 18:33
  E-commerce promise outweighs proof of profits for investors
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 5 minutes with Keiran Hewkin, Co-Founder, Swyft

  26-10-2020 18:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Congrats on the launch of Swyft this year! How did it feel?
  It was great. It is always a nervy time, all of that careful incubation work and then you let your baby out into the wild and see if anyone actually likes it. I guess it is a mixture of relief for having launched and anticipation, especially with a new concept as well as product.
  Tell me a bit about the Swyft story.
  I have been involved in furniture for a good few years now, right from high-end bespoke to high street retail. Swyft was
  
  Read more

• Tesco apologises for implying sanitary products “non-essential”

  26-10-2020 17:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Tesco apologises after implying online that sanitary products were not deemed essential amid Welsh lockdown
  // Welsh Govt says grocers have “discretion” over the ban on selling non-essential items during lockdownTesco has apologised after it suggested sanitary products were “non-essential” and so could not be sold due to new Welsh lockdown measures.
  On Sunday, First Minister Mark Drakeford said grocery retailers have “discretion” over the ban on selling non
  
  Read more

• Ex-BHS owner Dominic Chappell hits out at advisers & Sir Philip Green during tax trial

  26-10-2020 17:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Dominic Chappell tells court he should “never have touched” the BHS deal “with a barge pole”
  // He blames his financial advisers & Sir Philip Green as he denied dishonestly choosing to evade paying taxDominic Chappell has said he was let down by financial advisers and Sir Philip Green as he denied dishonestly choosing to evade paying tax on £2.2 million of income he received from the deal to buy BHS.
  Chappell, who owned BHS for just 13 months before its colla
  
  Read more

• When managed correctly, peak returns could be an opportunity for retailers

  26-10-2020 16:39 via retailgazette.co.uk
  by Heather Boyd, VP Global Marketing at Metapack
  As online retailers set their sights on a pandemic-era peak season like no other, ecommerce orders are predicted to surpass the records already been broken throughout the year. However, the rise in order volumes will almost certainly be followed by a rise in returns.
  The trouble with returns is, while they mean a great deal to consumers, they can also cost a great deal to retailers. They’re not commonly called the billion-dollar problem for
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Clarks begins talks with landlords ahead of CVA proposal

  26-10-2020 16:16 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Clarks kicks of negotiations with landlords to switch to turnover rent model
  // Clarks is hoping to gain landlords’ approval to help push through its CVA proposals
  // It needs the CVA to go through in order to receive £100m investment from a private equity firmClarks has reportedly started talks with its landlords over possibly switching to turnover rent models, as part of the footwear retailer’s wider CVA proposal.
  According to Sky News, Clarks and its advisers are mee
  
  Read more

• China launches crackdown on online counterfeits

  26-10-2020 15:38 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  China’s market regulator and government departments have launched an operation investigating unfair competition, illegal wildlife sales and counterfeits through the country’s ecommerce channels.
  State news agency Xinhua reported that the operation will run until December, and will examine areas of rapid growth in Chinese ecommerce, such as live-streaming.
  READ MORE: Alibaba livestreaming head sacked for nepotism and accepting gifts
  The crackdown aims to ensure ecommerc
  
  Read more

• M&S creates 500 jobs amid digital-first Christmas strategy

  26-10-2020 15:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // M&S to hire 500 new staff for Christmas
  // This means the retailer will have increased staff numbers by 30% to approximately 4000
  // Contactless click-and-collect service expanding to 16 stores, alongside the rollout of other technologyMarks & Spencer has revealed plans to create 500 seasonal jobs in online distribution as it prepares to deliver its “most digital Christmas yet” amid ongoing Covid restrictions.
  M&S said the new jobs will consist of fixed-term contr
  
  Read more

• Cath Kidston unveils digital-focused transformation plan

  26-10-2020 14:16 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Cath Kidston announces brand transformation plans, with core focus on digital acceleration & global growth
  // Follows restructuring in April, and Cath Kidston says ecommerce now accounts for 85% of its business
  // It wants to improve digital presence & international partnerships to deliver profitability over the next 3 years
  // Cath Kidston also announced two new senior management hires as part of the turnaroundCath Kidston has announced a transformation plan with a core focus on digi
  
  Read more

• Wales lockdown confusion after Tesco tweet claims it cannot sell period products

  26-10-2020 13:50
  
  Firm apologises after customer wrongly told period products fell under non-essential items ban Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageTesco has apologised after a customer was told that period products were not being sold in its Welsh stores due to the devolved administration’s ban on selling non-essential items during the firebreak lockdown.There has been continued confusion and controversy over the ban on supermarkets selling certain items. About 60,000 people
  
  Read more

• Wales lockdown confusion after Tesco tweet claims it cannot sell period pads

  26-10-2020 13:50
  
  Firm apologises after customer wrongly told period products fell under non-essential items ban Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageTesco has apologised after a customer was told that period products were not being sold in its Welsh stores due to the devolved administration’s ban on selling non-essential items during the firebreak lockdown.It comes amid continued confusion and controversy over the ban on supermarkets selling certain items. About 60,000 people h
  
  Read more

• Grocers in Wales have “discretion” over ban on selling non-essential items

  26-10-2020 13:17 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Wales FM Mark Drakeford says grocers have “discretion” over the ban on selling non-essential items
  // He says people may need to buy such items for “unexpected reasons which they couldn’t have foreseen” during firebreak lockdown
  // 60,000 people have signed a petition calling for the ban to be immediately reversedGrocers have “discretion” over the Welsh Government’s ban on selling non-essential items during the firebreak lockdown, the First Mini
  
  Read more

• Samsung group chairman Lee Kun-hee has died, aged 78

  26-10-2020 11:37 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Samsung has confirmed that the company’s group chairman Lee Kun-hee died on Sunday at the age of 78.
  Born in South Korea in 1942, Lee was the third son of Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul, and is credited with transforming the family firm into the world’s largest manufacturer of smartphones, televisions and memory chips.
  READ MORE: Samsung smashes analyst expectations forecasting 22% jump in profits
  Lee’s father founded Samsung Group in 1938, with Lee joining in 1968 and tak
  
  Read more

• Fears of a double-dip recession grow as consumer confidence drops

  26-10-2020 11:28 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Consumer confidence has declined for first time since height of lockdown six months ago
  // Parts of the UK are currently facing restrictions under the government’s tier 3 measures
  // Consumer confidence dropped by 1.1 points from September to 101.3Consumer confidence has dropped in October for the first time since the height of lockdown in April, as fears grow over a double-dip recession.
  Many parts of the UK are currently facing restrictions again under the government’s tier 3 me
  
  Read more

• Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group given 10-day extension to avoid collapse

  26-10-2020 11:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group given 10-day extension on filing for an intention to appoint administrators to avoid collapse
  // Bosses started closing 50 stores with 600 job losses as they work on securing backing for the business
  // There is interest in parts of the business, understood to be the Peacocks and Jaeger brandsEdinburgh Woollen Mill Group has been granted a further 10 working days to speak to potential suitors and work on a rescue plan.
  The company – which operates the eponym
  
  Read more

• The Hut Group raises full year revenue guidance as sales smash £378m

  26-10-2020 10:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // The Hut Group raises full year revenue guidance
  // Third quarter sales rose 38.6% to £378.1 million
  // Direct-to-consumer sales rose 51.3% to £320.2 millionThe Hut Group has reported a third quarter sales increase and has raised its full year revenue guidance thanks to online growth.
  The ecommerce platform saw its sales rise by 38.6 per cent to £378.1 million in the three months to September 30.
  Online revenue also grew with direct-to-consumer sales increasing by 51.3 p
  
  Read more

• Boots begins offering Covid-19 tests to non-symptomatic people

  26-10-2020 09:51 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Boots rolls out Covid-19 testing for non-symptomatic people
  // The nasal swab test will produce results within 12 minutes
  // The test has been developed by life sciences company LumiraDxBoots has reportedly began offering Covid-19 tests for non-symptomatic people, which will produce results within 12 minutes.
  The £120 nasal swab test has been made available to customers in 50 Boots stores across the UK from today, BBC News reported.
  In trials on more than 500 patients, it detected the v
  
  Read more

• Boots to offer 12-minute Covid testing service within weeks

  26-10-2020 09:14
  
  Pharmacy chain says £120 fee will be one of cheapest private tests availableCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBoots is to offer a coronavirus testing service it says can return results from swab tests in only 12 minutes.The pharmacy chain said the LumiraDx devices, which are able to quickly process swab tests to give customers same-day results, would be rolled out in selected stores over the next few weeks. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Mike Ashley eyes rival Philip Day’s Jaeger brand

  26-10-2020 09:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Frasers Group billionaire Mike Ashley is considering making a bid for fashion retailer Jaeger
  // Jaeger is part of rival Philip Day’s struggling Edinburgh Woollen Mill GroupMike Ashley has reportedly considered making a bid for ailing fashion retailer Jaeger in an effort to boost his acquisition spree.
  Jaeger is part of rival Philip Day’s struggling Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, which recently secured another grace period of 10 days before the retail empire falls in
  
  Read more

• Hut upgrades full-year sales forecast

  26-10-2020 08:55
  UK online retailer delivers buoyant update after £5.4bn listing last month
  
  Read more

• Debenhams suitors given three-day deadline to make £300m rescue bid

  26-10-2020 08:37 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Debenhams bidders given until middle of this week to make a £300m rescue bid
  // Advisers are weighing up alternative options for the businessDebenhams bidders have reportedly been given until the middle of this week to make a £300 million rescue bid for the department store chain.
  Debenhams’ future remains uncertain as prospective buyers, such as Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, have been told to make a binding commitment by the close of business on Wednesday, or exit, The
  
  Read more

• Bezos squares up to Ambani as India ecommerce battle looms

  26-10-2020 07:03
  
  Future Group dispute comes as Reliance looks to challenge Amazon in online retail
  
  Read more

• Waitrose launches ‘Cocktails at Home’ interactive service

  26-10-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Waitrose has introduced a new interactive service with the launch of ‘Cocktails at Home’ Experience Boxes in partnership with John Lewis. The supermarket has begun offering... View Article
  
  Read more

• The Hut Group to create 500 jobs in north west

  26-10-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Health and beauty retailer The Hut Group is to create 500 new permanent jobs across its business in the north west of England in the run-up... View Article
  
  Read more

• The Hut Group raises full year revenue guidance

  26-10-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Hut Group has raised its full year revenue guidance after its third quarter sales climbed by 38.6% to £378.1 million.  In the three months to... View Article
  
  Read more

• Homebase partners with Hearst UK on new kitchen, home and garden ranges

  26-10-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  DIY retailer Homebase has embarked on a three-year partnership with Hearst UK in which it will work with Hearst’s House Beautiful, Country Living and Good Housekeeping magazines to create... View Article
  
  Read more

• H&M launches online store in Australia

  26-10-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  High street fashion retailer H&M has launched an online store in Australia. The site went live at the same time as the launch of the retailer’s... View Article
  
  Read more

• Hammerson hires Connor Owens as director of Ireland

  26-10-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Shopping centre owner Hammerson has appointed Connor Owens as its new director of Ireland. He will lead Hammerson’s Irish business where the portfolio includes Dundrum Town... View Article
  
  Read more

• Boots to offer customers a 12-minute Covid-19 test within the next few weeks

  26-10-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Boots is to introduce a new Covid-19 swab test that can return results in as little as 12 minutes. In a statement, the health and beauty... View Article
  
  Read more

Follow @retailuknws on Twitter!