Retail news

• Amazon to shut three UK warehouses, putting 1,300 jobs at risk

  10-01-2023 19:53
  Doncaster, Hemel Hempstead and Gourock sites to close as well as seven delivery sites, as retailer prepares two newfacilities Amazon has announced plans to shut three of its 30-plus UK warehouses and seven small delivery sites, affecting more than 1,300 jobs.Workers from the large warehouses in Doncaster, Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire and Gourock in western Scotland will be offered roles at other Amazon locations. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• ‘Vin in a tin’: Waitrose cans mini wine bottles in carbon-cutting measure

  10-01-2023 18:29
  Supermarket’s switch from glass to aluminium cans expected to halve carbon footprint per drinkWaitrose is canning the mini wine bottle in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of takeaway drinks.The supermarket plans to switch all of its 187ml glass wine bottles – except those containing champagne, prosecco, cava and rioja because of restrictions imposed by those particular appellations – to aluminium cans by next week. The cans will come in 187ml, 200ml and 250ml sizes. Con
  
  Read more

• Supermarket ditches mini wine bottle to opt for ‘vin in a tin’

  10-01-2023 18:29
  Waitrose switches from glass to aluminium cans as it watches its carbon footprintWaitrose is canning the mini wine bottle in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of takeaway drinks.The supermarket plans to switch all of its small glass wine bottles – except those containing champagne, prosecco, cava and rioja because of restrictions imposed by those particular appellations – to aluminium cans by next week. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Co-op hires ex-N Brown exec Kenyatte Nelson

  10-01-2023 17:19 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Co-op appoints N Brown exec Kenyatte Nelson as chief membership and customer officer
  // Nelson has over 20 years experience, having previously worked at N Brown, Missguided and The Very GroupThe Co-op has named ex-N Brown executive Kenyatte Nelson as its chief membership and customer officer, 18 months since Matt Atkinson stepped down from the role.
  Nelson will join the retailer this month bringing with him over 20 years of marketing experience.
  He was previously the chief brand officer
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• TikTok undercutting its rivals with cheap ads to boost revenue

  10-01-2023 16:16 via retailgazette.co.uk
  TikTok is undercutting its social media rivals social media platforms by offering cheap ads amid a slowdown in digital ad spend.
  The Financial Times has been informed that an increasing amount of advertising spend is moving from platforms such as Twitter and Meta to TikTok due to the Chinese site’s lower costs and higher levels of user engagement.READ THE FULL STORY HERE
  Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
  
  Read more

• Frasers Group to relaunch Missguided in House of Fraser stores this Spring

  10-01-2023 15:17 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Frasers Group is prepping to relaunch Missguided in a select number of House of Fraser stores this Spring
  // The retail giant snapped up the online fast-fashion business in June for £20mMissguided’s new collection is set to launch in selective House of Fraser stores in April following Frasers Group’s acquisition of the brand last June.
  Frasers Group is set to relaunch the Missguided range over Easter, both in House of Fraser stores and on its website, featuring a “fash
  
  Read more

• Topps Tiles battle intensifies as shareholder ramps up campaign to oust chairman

  10-01-2023 14:52 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Topps Tiles shareholder MS Galleon has reiterated calls for non-executive chairman Darren Shapland to be removed as ‘a necessary step’ for the business to return to growth
  // MSG is also planning to launch a retail business in the UK, which it claims is an opportunity not a threat to Topps TilesTopps Tiles’ major shareholder MS Galleon has hit back at the tile retailer as its bitter boardroom battle continues.
  Last week, Topps accused MS Galleon (MSG) of misleading othe
  
  Read more

• Topps Tiles battle intensifies as major shareholder continues campaign to oust chairman

  10-01-2023 14:52 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Topps Tiles has reiterated calls for non-executive chairman Darren Shapland to be removed as‘a necessary step’ for the business to return to growth
  // MSG is also planning to launch a retail business in the UK, which it said would be a “material conflict of interest”, in response it said it is an opportunity not a threat to Topps TilesTopps Tiles’ major shareholder MS Galleon has hit back at the Leicester tile retailer as its bitter boardroom battle continue
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• ScS buys Snug in pre-pack administration

  10-01-2023 14:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // ScS buys Snug in a pre-pack deal with all jobs secured
  // ScS will introduce Snug concessions to storesScS has bought Snug from administration for just £875,000 in a pre-pack deal and plans to add the brand’s concession to its stores.
  The furniture giant snapped up Snug’s brand, domain names, website, IP and stock in the deal, in which Evelyn Partners acted as administrator.
  Snug, which is expected to have turned over around £20m in 2022, was founded in 2018 and was Eu
  
  Read more

• Sainsbury’s boss “thinking differently” to compete with rival grocers

  10-01-2023 14:17 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Read more on Grocery GazetteSainsbury’s boss Simon Roberts says the supermarket is “thinking differently” as it looks to compete with rival grocers while offering better value to shoppers.
  In an interview with The Guardian, the chief executive of the UK’s second-largest supermarket chain revealed that it had delayed thousands of online turkeys deliveries so they would arrive in people’s homes on Christmas Eve, part of its wider plan to stand out in the fiercely c
  
  Read more

• Amazon plans closure of three UK warehouses as it cuts costs

  10-01-2023 14:05
  Move will affect 1,200 jobs in Hertfordshire, Yorkshire and Scotland as US tech giant makes broader retrenchment
  
  Read more

• Amazon plans closure of three UK warehouses as group cuts costs

  10-01-2023 14:05
  Move will affect 1200 jobs in Hertfordshire, Yorkshire and Scotland as US tech giant makes broader retrenchment
  
  Read more

• Ocado FD Vineta Bajaj takes CFO role at European rival

  10-01-2023 13:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Ocado Group finance director Vineta Bajaj joins European rival Rohlik as its new chief financial officer
  // Bajaj has spent the last 10 years at Ocado Group leading on strategic mergers including the M&S dealOcado Group finance director Vineta Bajaj has joined rival European online grocery tech firm Rohlik Group as its new chief financial officer.
  Bajaj has spent the last 10 years at Ocado Group, where she led on strategic acquisitions, developed its global tax strategy and raised &p
  
  Read more

• Online retail sales suffers record decline in December

  10-01-2023 12:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // UK online retail sales slipped by 10.5% year-on-year in 2022, a record low for growth
  // Growth was flat in Black Friday week, and the following week sales fell by 7.3% year-on-yearUK online retail sales fell by a record 10.5% in 2022, as December online sales also slipped by 12%.
  It is the first year of full-year decline recorded by the IMRG Online Retail Index, which tracks the online sales of 200 retailers, following a previous low of 2.7% growth in 2021, compared to 2020.
  The only categor
  
  Read more

• Online retail sales see record declines in December

  10-01-2023 12:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // UK online retail sales slipped by 10.5% year-on-year in 2022, a record low for growth
  // Growth was flat in Black Friday week, and the following week sales fell by 7.3% year-on-yearUK online retail sales fell by a record 10.5% in 2022 compared to 2021, as December 2022 online sales also slipped by 12%.
  It is the first year of full-year decline recorded by the IMRG Online Retail Index, which tracks the online sales of 200 retailers, following a previous low of 2.7% growth in 2021, compared to
  
  Read more

• White stuff sales rocket over Christmas as shoppers flock to stores

  10-01-2023 12:43 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // White Stuff total sales grew 16% in the nine weeks to the 31 December
  // However, the retailer remains “cautious” for the year ahead against the rising cost of living pressureWhite Stuff sales surged 16% over Christmas as customers returned to the high street.
  The fashion retailer posted a 16% rise in total sales in the nine weeks to the 31 December, however, in-store sales jumped 25% year on year as the rail and postal strikes in December pushed shoppers to the high street.
  
  Read more

• Marks Electrical Christmas sales jump as energy-efficient products soar

  10-01-2023 12:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Marks Electrical sales rise 33% between October and December
  // Demand for energy-efficient appliances soared amid surging electricity and gas billsMarks Electrical’s sales surged 33.4% over the key Christmas period as shoppers snap up energy-efficient appliances amid soaring electricity costs.
  A-rated energy-efficient laundry appliances, televisions, fridges and small domestic appliances were among its top-sellers over the golden quarter.
  The retailer’s sales hit £72.9
  
  Read more

• Amazon set to close three UK warehouses, putting 1,200 jobs at risk

  10-01-2023 12:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Amazon is set to shutter three warehouses in the UK, affecting 1,200 jobs
  // Sites in Hemel Hempstead, Doncaster and Gourock, in the west of Scotland, have been proposed for closureAmazon has revealed it will be closing three warehouses in the UK, affecting 1,200 jobs, Sky News reports.
  Fulfilment centres for the online giant in Hemel Hempstead, Doncaster and Gourock, in the west of Scotland, have all been proposed for closure.
  An Amazon spokesperson told Sky News that all the workers affecte
  
  Read more

• Amazon to shut three UK warehouses, putting 1,200 jobs at risk

  10-01-2023 12:21
  Closure of facilities in Doncaster, Hemel Hempstead and Gourock comes as retailer opens sites in Peddimore and Stockton-on-TeesAmazon has announced plans to shut three of its 30-plus UK warehouses, affecting 1,200 jobs.Workers from the facilities in Doncaster, Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire and Gourock in western Scotland will be offered roles at other Amazon locations. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Games Workshop and Hornby report sales rise but warn over economy

  10-01-2023 11:45
  Warhammer achieves record sales of £200m in half-year but says figures for US are flatThe two companies behind Warhammer miniature figures and Scalextric racing sets have enjoyed a good Christmas, while warning about the impact of the cost of living crisis.Games Workshop – which last month struck a deal with Amazon to create a series based on Warhammer – achieved record sales of more than £200m in the six months to 31 December, its first half. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Majestic toasts Christmas sales rise as it notches up record market share

  10-01-2023 11:24 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Majestic sales jumped 21.1% against pre-pandemic levels, or 0.2% against last Christmas
  // The retailer kept a lid on inflation, with prices 2% cheaper than last yearMajestic sales surged 21.1% against pre-pandemic levels as it achieved the second-biggest Christmas in its 42-year history.
  Over the eight week trading period to December 26, sales edged up 0.2% against last year, when sales were boosted as consumers shunned bars and restaurants due to the rise of the Omicron virus.
  The drinks re
  
  Read more

• Waitrose to replace small wine bottles with aluminium cans

  10-01-2023 11:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Waitrose will replace the majority of its small wine bottles with aluminium cans
  // Last year, Waitrose said customers purchased nearly three million small bottles of wineWaitrose will replace the majority of its small wine bottles with aluminium cans in an effort to save 320 tonnes of packaging.
  The grocer said the majority of small wine formats (apart from Champagne. Prosecco and Cava, and Rioja, due to appellation restrictions) will be moved from glass bottles to aluminium cans from 15 Jan
  
  Read more

• The Fragrance Shop hails record breaking Christmas as it continues expansion plans

  10-01-2023 11:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // The Fragrance Shop sees Christmas sales rise 11.2%
  // The retailer is set to continue investing and expand its footprint both digitally and physically The Fragrance Shop has seen record Christmas trading in-store and online following investment in its omnichannel strategy.
  The UK’s largest independent fragrance retailer posted an 11.2% increase in underlying sales in the six weeks ending 31 December 2022 compared to the same period last year.
  The Fragrance Shop opened 12 new stores
  
  Read more

• John Lewis returns to Centre:MK for bumper pop-up sale this weekend

  10-01-2023 10:47 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // John Lewis will return to take over the atrium of the Centre:MK shopping centre in Milton Keynes to hold pop-up sale this weekend
  // Shoppers will be able to get up to 40% off sofas and large electrical itemsJohn Lewis is set to hold a special pop-up sale outside of its Milton Keynes store this week, displaying products on promotion in the atrium of the Centre:MK shopping centre.
  The 3-day event, which will run from 13th to 15th January, will see the shopping centre’s Middleton Hal
  
  Read more

• Sosandar remains ‘highly vigilant’ despite sales jumping 30%

  10-01-2023 10:43 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Sosandar revenue jumps 30% to £11.6 million in the three months to 31 December
  // The retailer said its average order value of £106.37 was up 11% from £95.69 in the prior yearSosandar has recorded a revenue increase of 30% to £11.6 million in the lead-up to Christmas.
  The three-month period to 31 December also marked a fifth consecutive quarter of profitability for the business.
  The retailer said its average order value of £106.37 was up 11% from £95.69 in
  
  Read more

• Electricals retailer AO boosts profit guidance

  10-01-2023 09:38
  UK group says it has benefited from change of strategy to focus on profitability rather than sales growth
  
  Read more

• AO pushes up profit guidance

  10-01-2023 09:38
  Electricals retailer ‘cautiously optimistic’ as it increases earnings forecast
  
  Read more

• Card Factory lifts profit guidance after ‘strong Christmas trading’

  10-01-2023 09:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Card Factory lifts profit outlook thanks to a strong performance over Christmas
  // Sales for the 11 months to December 31 rose to £432.6m, compared with £337.3m in the same period last yearCard Factory has lifted its profit guidance following a strong performance over Christmas.
  The greeting cards retailer expects annual profits to come in ahead of guidance.
  Sales for the 11 months to December 31 reached £432.6 million, compared with £337.3 million in the same period l
  
  Read more

• AO raises profit outlook despite 17.2% drop in UK sales

  10-01-2023 08:54 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // AO raises profit guidance despite 17.2% sales drop at core UK business
  // The retailer said revenues were lower than last year but in line with expectationsAO has increased profit expectations, despite a 17.2% decline in sales at its core UK business in the third quarter.
  The electricals retailer said this was in line with management expectations.
  AO also said its turnaround strategy is off to a strong start after lifting guidance for the year to March.Subscribe to Retail Gazette fo
  
  Read more

• UK retail sales rise over Christmas driven by prices rises

  10-01-2023 08:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // The high streets saw a rise in shoppers thanks to Christmas shopping and the World Cup
  // Total sales rose by 6.9% in December compared with a year earlier, up from November’s annual growth rate of 4.2%The UK’s high streets witnessed an influx of shoppers thanks to Christmas shopping and the World Cup over December.
  The sales growth picked up over the pivotal festive buying period, with a sharp rise on the same month in 2021, the BRC said.
  Total sales rose by 6.9% in December comp
  
  Read more

• UK retail sales rise over Christmas driven by price rises

  10-01-2023 08:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // The high streets saw a rise in shoppers thanks to Christmas shopping and the World Cup
  // Total sales rose by 6.9% in December compared with a year earlier, up from November’s annual growth rate of 4.2%The UK’s high streets witnessed an influx of shoppers thanks to Christmas shopping and the World Cup over December.
  The sales growth picked up over the pivotal festive buying period, with a sharp rise on the same month in 2021, the BRC said.
  Total sales rose by 6.9% in December comp
  
  Read more

• Morrisons hiked prices more than any other major grocer in 2022

  10-01-2023 08:24 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Morrisons raised prices more than any other major grocer in the last year
  // The grocer “rapidly” increased its prices in JuneMorrisons hiked prices more than any other major grocer in the last year, resulting in a large number of customers switching to other supermarkets.
  The grocer “rapidly” increased its prices in June, which meant it lost more shoppers than rivals last year, credit rating agency Moody’s said.
  Morrisons was also the only major supermarket to r
  
  Read more

• Christmas spending fails to keep pace with UK inflation

  10-01-2023 01:02
  Surging cost of essentials forces households to rein in December purchases
  
  Read more

• Christmas and World Cup help UK retail sales rise in December

  10-01-2023 01:01
  Total sales for the month increased by 6.9% compared with a year earlier despite cost of living crisisBritain’s retailers benefited from a sales boost in December fuelled by Christmas shopping and the World Cup, despite growing concerns over the impact of the cost of living crisis on the high street.The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said sales growth picked up over the pivotal festive buying period, with a sharp rise on the same month in 2021, as consumers braved cold weather and strikes
  
  Read more

• Trust issues: Our new campaign to help end the intolerance epidemic

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  By Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the Retail Trust. Retail Trust research into the abuse facing the retail workforce has revealed the scope of the intolerance... View Article
  
  Read more

• Thistles shopping centre celebrates year of successful community engagement campaigns

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Thistles shopping centre in Stirling continued its focus on community engagement in 2022 through its successful #ThistlesHelps campaigns. Started in 2021, the campaigns provide a way... View Article
  
  Read more

• The Fragrance Shop hails record breaking Christmas performance

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  The Fragrance Shop has enjoyed record Christmas trading in-store and online following investment in its omnichannel strategy. The retailer posted an 11.2% uplift in underlying sales... View Article
  
  Read more

• Sosandar boosted by record Christmas trading

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Women’s fashion retailer Sosandar enjoyed a record quarter in the lead-up to Christmas with revenue increasing by 30% to £11.6 million. The three-month period to 31... View Article
  
  Read more

• Shoe Zone reports jump in annual sales and profits

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Families looking for a bargain in the cost-of-living crisis have helped boost sales at the low cost Shoe Zone chain. The AIM-listed business, which sells around... View Article
  
  Read more

• ScS completes acquisition of modular sofa-maker Snug

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Sofa in a box pioneer Snug has been acquired by SCS. A team from Evelyn Partners has completed the sale of the business and assets –... View Article
  
  Read more

• Retail returns up 57% and not set to slow down

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  New data reveals that order returns rose significantly in 2022 as inflation and the cost-of-living began to bite. Retail returns in the traditional Christmas shopping period... View Article
  
  Read more

• Redundancies possible as Wilko to outsource customer service operations

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Retail giant Wilko has confirmed some staff are at risk of redundancy amid plans to outsource its customer service operations to a third party provider. The... View Article
  
  Read more

• Oxfam benefits from surge in Christmas sales

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Oxfam has revealed that its high street charity shop takings surged by more than 40% in the week before Christmas to reach a total of £2.68... View Article
  
  Read more

• N Brown to pay £49.5 million following legal battle with insurer

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  N Brown Group will pay £49.5 million in settlement of a legal case from its insurer. In a statement, the owner of Simply Be, Jacamo and... View Article
  
  Read more

• Marks Electrical delivers record quarterly performance

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Marks Electrical has posted strong third quarter revenue growth with sales rising by 33.4% to £29.8 million in the three months to 31 December. The uplift... View Article
  
  Read more

• Majestic toasts second best Christmas ever in 42 year history

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  UK wine and beer retailer Majestic,  is toasting the second-best Christmas trading performance in its 42-year history after emerging as a festive winner Total sales increased... View Article
  
  Read more

• John Lewis to hold bumper pop-up sale event at Centre:mk

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  The John Lewis department store will be holding a big sale event outside of its Milton Keynes shop through the addition of a special furniture and... View Article
  
  Read more

• Former N Brown brand chief joins Co-op Group

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Today, Co-op Group has announced that highly seasoned leader and marketing specialist Kenyatte Nelson will join its Operating Board this month. Nelson is a non-exec director... View Article
  
  Read more

• Fed expresses disappointment at new energy support package for businesses

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  The Federation of Independent Retailers (FED) has expressed disappointment at the latest business relief packages. Yesterday (January 9), the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Cartlidge... View Article
  
  Read more

• Company Shop Group announces Owen McLellan as new MD

  10-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Company Shop Group, the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food and household products, has today announced the appointment of Owen McLellan as its new Managing Director.... View Article
  
  Read more

Follow @retailuknws on Twitter!