Retail news

• Lloyds Pharmacy to close all 237 Sainsbury’s outlets

  19-01-2023 19:25
  
  Group says move due to ‘changing market conditions’, as industry warns of insufficient government fundingLloyds Pharmacy is closing all 237 of its outlets in Sainsbury’s supermarkets amid fears of insufficient government funding for the industry.The group said it was making the closures “in response to changing market conditions”, adding it was “currently exploring options for each individual branch”. Continue reading...
  
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• Hotel Chocolat to open 50 new stores as it enjoys best Christmas shop sales

  19-01-2023 19:05
  Despite recession and cost of living crisis, luxury brand is even considering return to US market
  
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• Dr Martens has shot itself (and London) in the foot with profit warnings | Nils Pratley

  19-01-2023 18:55
  
  Bootmaker’s reversal of its growth promises has damaged the reputation of the UK IPO marketWithin the flaky crop of post-lockdown flotations in London in early 2021 – think Made.com (bust) and Deliveroo (shares down 76%) – Dr Martens was supposed to be a beacon of solidity. The company arrived spouting standard management babble about the strength of the brand and the global opportunity, but the pitch sounded more grounded than the hopeful boasts from the techie brigade.The cla
  
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• Boohoo redundancies reach head office

  19-01-2023 16:20 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Boohoo is consulting on around 50 roles in its Manchester office as it looks to reduce costs
  // The online fast fashion retailer is currently reviewing 100 roles in its London officeBoohoo is to make redundancies in its Manchester head office, with 50 roles at risk.
  Staff in the buying and merchandising departments have been affected with some offered voluntary settlements, Drapers reports.
  This comes as the online retailer reported sales slumped 11% year on year to £637m in the four mo
  
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• Aldi Price Match: clever pricing campaign or free press for the German discounter?

  19-01-2023 16:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Tesco and Sainsbury’s have leant heavily on their Aldi Price Match campaigns to signpost where they are keeping costs low
  // But have the supermarkets gone too far and ended up promoting their fiercest rival?Synonymous with affordable and efficient shopping, Aldi has shaken up the UK supermarket sector over the last 12 months, officially leapfrogging Morrisons and taking its place in the ‘Big 4’ last autumn.
  Over that time it has become increasingly normal for the likes of S
  
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• One of UK’s oldest department stores Eve & Ranshaw to shut as costs rise

  19-01-2023 15:14
  
  Family run business has traded in Louth, Lincolnshire, since 1781 but is closing due to ‘challenging times’One of the UK’s oldest department stores has announced it is closing its doors due to “challenging times” after trading for more than 240 years.Eve & Ranshaw, in the market town of Louth, Lincolnshire, has traded continuously since 1781 and is one of the oldest independent, family run department stores in the country. Continue reading...
  
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• Argos to close all stores in Ireland, with 580 job losses

  19-01-2023 14:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Argos to shutter all stores in Republic of Ireland
  // The decision to leave Ireland comes after a long period of “careful consideration”Argos plans to close all its stores in the Republic of Ireland by this summer, which will result in 580 employees losing their jobs.
  The Sainsbury’s-owned retailer has 34 stores in Ireland and said the decision to leave comes after a long period of “careful consideration” and a “thorough review” of its business and op
  
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• Tesco Bank to give 90% staff a £1,250 pay rise to cope with inflation

  19-01-2023 13:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Tesco Bank to give staff £1,250 pay increase to deal with inflation crisis
  // Usdaw said it reached a deal with the lender for the pay increasesTesco Bank will give 3,400 employees a £1,250 pay increase to help them deal with the cost-of-living crisis.
  The bank, which is owned by the UK’s biggest retailer Tesco, said over 90% of its workforce were eligible for the extra pay which is effective from January 8.
  Usdaw, which represents the bank’s staff, said it reached a d
  
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• One of UK’s oldest department stores Eve & Ranshaw to cease trading

  19-01-2023 13:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Eve & Ranshaw to close its doors for good after trading for 242 years in Louth, Lincolnshire
  // The independent department store has been in the same location since 1781Eve & Ranshaw will close its doors after 242 years of trading as it struggles to bounce back from the pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
  The independent department store has been in the same location since opening its doors in Louth, Lincolnshire in 1781 and has been run by the same family for the last
  
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• Eve & Ranshaw to cease trading after 242 years as costs pile up

  19-01-2023 13:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Eve & Ranshaw to close its doors for good after trading for 242 years in Louth, Lincolnshire
  // The independent department store has been in the same location since 1781Eve & Ranshaw will close its doors after 242 years of trading as it struggles to bounce back from the pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
  The independent department store has been in the same location since opening its doors in Louth, Lincolnshire in 1781 and has been run by the same family for the last
  
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• Currys trials in-store robots to help customers navigate product ranges

  19-01-2023 13:04 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Electricals retailer Currys is trialling in-store robots to help customers navigate its product ranges more easily.
  //  In partnership with Leeds based technology company UXG, the trial will see four Currys stores, including one of its flagships in Birmingham, introduce ‘KettyBot’.Read the full story at Charged Retail
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• Shein in talks on fundraising that would reduce valuation by £30bn

  19-01-2023 12:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Shein in talks to raise up to £3bn in fundraising
  // The fundraising would reduce the retailer’s valuation from £81bn to £51bnShein is in discussions to raise up to £3 billion in fundraising that would reduce its valuation from £81 billion to £51 billion.
  The fast fashion retailer is seeking to close a new fundraising round from existing investors including Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, venture capital group Sequoia China and private equit
  
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• January sales: Are traditional supermarkets doing enough to compete with Aldi and Lidl?

  19-01-2023 12:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons have all kicked off 2023 with pricing campaigns and value incentives
  // But are new year promotions and price freezes enough to compete with the unstoppable rise of Aldi and Lidl?The UK grocery sector was quick out of the promotional blocks this year, extending value ranges, launching price locks and launching other cost-driven incentives designed to keep shoppers spending throughout the bleak month of January.
  Morrisons was
  
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• Tesco Bank to give 90% staff £1,250 pay rise to cope with inflation

  19-01-2023 11:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Tesco Bank to give staff £1,250 pay increase to deal with inflation crisis
  // Usdaw said it reached a deal with the lender for the pay increasesTesco Bank will give 3,400 employees a £1,250 pay increase to help them deal with the cost-of-living crisis.
  The bank, which is owned by the UK’s biggest retailer Tesco, said over 90% of its workforce were eligible for the extra pay which is effective from January 8.
  Usdaw, which represents the bank’s staff, said it reached a d
  
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• Hotel Chocolat eyes store expansion as retail sales surge 10%

  19-01-2023 11:35 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Hotel Chocolat Group sales dipped 8% in nine weeks to 25 December
  // Like for like sales for its UK and Ireland stores surged 10% as shoppers flocked to the high streetHotel Chocolat posted like-for-like revenue growth of 10% across its UK and Ireland stores in the nine weeks to 25 December.
  As a result, the confectionery retailer plans to expand its retail footprint in London over the next three years.
  The business has scope to open another 50 stores, chief executive Angus Thirlwell sai
  
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• Gear4music UK sales remain flat over Christmas as Brits stay cautious

  19-01-2023 11:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Gear4music revenue grows 5% to £49.5m in the run up to Christmas
  // UK sales were flat at £26m in the three months to 31 DecemberGear4music UK sales were flat at £26 million in the three months to 31 December, after trading was affected by Royal Mail strikes and weakened consumer confidence.
  The musical instrument retailer said gross profit came in at £12.7 million to mark a 6% decline on the same time in the previous year.
  It reported a revenue growth of 5% to &p
  
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• Mamas & Papas names new CEO ahead of global expansion plan

  19-01-2023 09:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Mamas & Papas names chief operating officer Nathan Williams as chief executive
  // He’ll be responsible for leading the company’s next phase of growthMamas & Papas has promoted current chief operating officer Nathan Williams to chief executive.
  He is set to lead the company’s next phase of growth, which includes expansion into new and existing international markets.
  Current boss of the high street nursery retailer, Mark Saunders will become executive chairman.
  William
  
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• Boohoo sales fall over Christmas as shoppers return to the high street

  19-01-2023 09:36
  Longer delivery times reduce demand for fast-fashion retailer’s products
  
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• Boohoo sales fall at Christmas as shoppers return to the high street

  19-01-2023 09:36
  Longer delivery times reduce demand for fast-fashion retailer’s products
  
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• Boohoo sales slump as it forecasts double-digit revenue decline

  19-01-2023 09:34 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Boohoo revenue falls 11% in its key Christmas trading period, hurt by delivery disruption and tough comparatives
  // The fast fashion retailer expects sales to drop about 12% this financial yearBoohoo has seen sales slump in 2022, as it blamed strong year-on-year comparatives and extended international delivery times.
  The fast fashion retailer posted an 11% revenue drop to £637.7 million in the three months to 31 December.
  UK revenues declined by 11% year-on-year, but fell further in the
  
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• Dr Martens warns of lower revenues in wake of Los Angeles bottleneck

  19-01-2023 09:25
  Shares in British bootmaker drop 18% as it downgrades full-year guidance
  
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• Dr Martens’ shares plunge after US bottleneck hits profits

  19-01-2023 09:25
  British bootmaker hit by operational issues at new distribution centre in Los Angeles
  
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• 8 retailers on store opening sprees in 2023

  19-01-2023 09:04 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Christmas showed that bricks-and-mortar is far from dead as shoppers as shoppers flocked to shops to snap up their gifts.
  This is a trend that was present throughout 2022 and one that retailers are reacting to.
  Just this week Mark & Spencer revealed it would open 20 new stores over its next financial year.
  Retail Gazette rounds up the retailers that are looking to expand their store estates this year.
  Monsoon
  Monsoon is set to open 22 new stores this year as its trading recovers post-pandemi
  
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• Dr Martens issues profit warning amid US distribution centre issues

  19-01-2023 09:03 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Dr Martens has cut its revenue and earnings estimates amid bottleneck issues at its new LA distribution centre
  // The company said it now expected revenue growth of 11%-13%Dr Martens has warned on annual profit and revenue after the business faced “significant operational issues” at its new distribution centre in Los Angeles and weaker-than-anticipated US trading.
  The footwear retailer blamed “people and process” errors, which caused a bottleneck of stock at the p
  
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• Harrods covered with dots for latest Louis Vuitton x Kusama collaboration

  19-01-2023 08:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Harrods is celebrating the new collaboration between Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and Louis Vuitton by covering its Knightsbridge facade in dots
  // Inside the store features a dotty immersive pop-upHarrods has been painted with dots to celebrate Louis Vuitton and artist Yayoi Kusama’s newest collaboration.
  The luxury department store‘s Knightsbridge façade and exhibition windows have been covered with the dots, as well as an immersive infinity room pop-up within the store.I
  
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• Dunelm sales boosted by ‘strong growth’ in stores and online

  19-01-2023 08:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Dunelm sales reach £478m, up 18% year-on-year
  // The retailer saw strong growth both in stores and online, with good demand across its categoriesDunelm has delivered a strong performance reporting total sales of £478m up 18% year-on-year and 48% higher than three years ago, pre-pandemic.
  The homeware retailer said this was driven by strong growth both in stores and online and the positive news reflected the broad appeal of its customer offer as digital sales made up 35% of total s
  
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• Zara to open first store in Bath

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Zara is to open its first store in Bath at the SouthGate premium open-air shopping destination. The fashion retailer has agreed to take a 32,000 square... View Article
  
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• WH Smith revenues surge as rail and air travel returns

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Book and stationery retailer WH Smith said revenues had surged in the first few months of its financial year today as its airport and train station-based... View Article
  
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• Superdrug boosted by consistent rise in footfall in run-up to Christmas

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Superdrug grew its Christmas like-for-like sales by 16% over the five weeks to 31 December after seeing a consistent rise in footfall in its shops. The... View Article
  
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• Springfields Outlet and Leisure hails strong Christmas trading

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Spalding’s Springfields Outlet and Leisure has announced that its monthly turnover increased by 9% in December after it posted its highest weekly sales on record twice... View Article
  
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• People matter: 82% of employees consider recognition an important part of “happiness at work”

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  [Exclusive] Investing time and resources in recognising positive contributions to the workplace has real value when it comes to employee satisfaction and of course, retention. According... View Article
  
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• Mamas & Papas shuffle leadership team ahead of expansion

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  High street nursery brand, Mamas & Papas, has appointed chief operating officer Nathan Williams as its new chief executive officer. The Huddersfield-headquartered business says he will... View Article
  
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• Hotel Chocolat enjoys late festive surge in sales

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Hotel Chocolat has enjoyed strong Christmas trading with retail UK and Ireland like-for-like store sales increasing by 10% year-on-year. The nine week period ending 25 December... View Article
  
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• Gear4music posts 5% uplift in Christmas sales

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Gear4music grew its revenue by 5% to £49.5 million in the lead-up to Christmas despite UK trading being impacted by weakened consumer confidence. In the three... View Article
  
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• Farfetch announces leadership team changes

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Luxury retail group Farfetch has made three new additions within its leadership team. Elizabeth von der Goltz has joined the business in the roles of chief... View Article
  
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• Dunelm trading boosted by popularity of seasonal ranges

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Dunelm has posted an 18% uplift in second quarter sales following the popularity of its autumn/winter ranges. In the 13 weeks to 31 December, the homewares... View Article
  
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• Dr Martens shares take a kicking as they release profit warning

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Shares in iconic boot and shoe brand Dr Martens slumped by more than 20% this morning (19 January) after the firm warned it was expecting a sizeable drop... View Article
  
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• Boohoo reports drop in festive sales

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Boohoo has posted an 11% revenue drop to £637.7 million in the three months to 31 December, which was in line with the online fashion retailer’s... View Article
  
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• Boohoo posts drop in festive sales

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Boohoo has posted an 11% revenue drop to £637.7 million in the three months to 31 December, which was in line with the online fashion retailer’s... View Article
  
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• Asda launches meal plan to feed a family of four for a week for under £20

  19-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Asda has launched a new online meal plan that includes seven low cost recipes to feed a family of four every night for a week. The... View Article
  
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