Retail news

• Aldi infringed M&S’ light-up gin design, High Court rules

  31-01-2023 19:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Aldi is found to have infringed M&S’ design rights with its copycat light-up gin
  // The discounter says it will appeal the decisionAldi has been found to have infringed M&S’ designs with its copycat festive light-up gin, the High Court ruled today.
  M&S started selling its light-up gin liqueur range, which contains gold flakes, in autumn 2020 while Aldi launched its Infusionist gin liqueur, which also contains gold flakes and a light-up bottom, a year later.
  M&S lau
  
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• Tesco buys Paperchase brand from administration but not the stores

  31-01-2023 18:31
  Purchase puts at risk 1,000 jobs at stationery chain and follows supermarket’s own shake-up affecting 2,100
  
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• Gymshark makes job cuts as it restructures US arm

  31-01-2023 17:13 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Gymshark has confirmed it is cutting 65 of its US employees
  // The move is part of a wider business restructuring of its US arm.Gymshark has confirmed it is axing roles at its North American headquarters in Denver, Colorado.
  The move which will see 65 jobs cut is part of a wider business restructuring of its US arm.
  A Gymshark spokesperson said: “We can confirm we are restructuring our US business, which will see the elimination of 65 jobs.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
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• Tesco buys Paperchase brand in pre-pack deal

  31-01-2023 17:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Tesco buys the Paperchase brand and IP after it collapsed this morning
  // It has not taken any Paperchase stores but plans to bring its products into its supermarketsTesco has bought the Paperchase brand and related IP in a pre-pack administration deal.
  The grocer plans to bring the brand to its stores. It is thought that Paperchase’s 106 UK stores will all close.
  Tesco managing director of home and clothing Jan Marchant said: “Paperchase is a well-loved brand by so many, and we&r
  
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• Exclusive: Matalan interim chairman exits following sale of the business

  31-01-2023 15:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Matalan interim chairman Tim Isaacs has left the board and departed from the business following its sale
  // The fashion retailer has been seeking a £350m credit bail out and has now reached deal that will include a “significant reduction” in gross debtMatalan interim chairman Tim Isaacs has left the business following the acquisition of the fashion retailer earlier this month.
  The retailer was snapped up by a group of investors including Invesco, Man GLG, Tresidor and N
  
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• Exclusive: Matalan interim chairman exits

  31-01-2023 15:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Matalan interim chairman Tim Isaacs has left the board and departed from the business following its sale
  // The fashion retailer has been seeking a £350m credit bail out and has now reached deal that will include a “significant reduction” in gross debtMatalan interim chairman Tim Isaacs has left the business following the acquisition of the fashion retailer earlier this month.
  Isaacs became interim chairman in September after Matalan chair John Hargreaves stepped down a
  
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• Tesco buys Paperchase brand but not shops, with 800 jobs at risk

  31-01-2023 15:36
  
  Stationery retailer collapses into administration after rising costs and disappointing salesTesco has bought the brand and intellectual property of Paperchase, after the struggling stationery retailer collapsed into administration.
  However, the deal does not include Tesco taking on the brand’s 106 stores across the UK and Ireland, leaving the future uncertain for Paperchase’s 820 employees.The deal follows a difficult few months for Paperchase after rising costs and disappointing sal
  
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• Poppy Marshall-Lawton: bringing Laura Ashley back into fashion

  31-01-2023 15:00
  
  Its UK and Europe head, kept on by US rescuers after the company collapsed in 2020, insists the brand is about much more than frilly floral flocks – though they’re still popular tooWhen Poppy Marshall-Lawton quit her degree to live by the beach in Bournemouth 20 years ago, she can hardly have imagined it would eventually lead to her heading the revival of a beloved British brand.The chirpy redhead, who has just turned 41, was the surprise name to take the reins at Laura Ashley under
  
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• Tesco buys Paperchase brand from administration but not its stores

  31-01-2023 14:28
  Purchase puts 800 stationery chain jobs at risk and follows supermarket’s own shake-up affecting 2,100 roles
  
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• CMA launches grocery pricing probe

  31-01-2023 14:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // The CMA has launched a probe into online and in-store pricing practices in the grocery sector.
  // It is revisiting the issue following its 2015 investigation as the rising cost of living puts a spotlight on valueThe Competitions Market Authority (CMA) has launched a review into online and instore pricing practices in the grocery sector.
  The investigation follows concerns that have been raised over whether shoppers are able to fairly compare the prices of items amid the backdrop of the rising
  
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• Poundstretcher gives thousands of staff 10% pay rise

  31-01-2023 14:09 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Poundstretcher will give thousands of its employees a 10% pay rise to help with the rising cost-of-living
  // The discount retailer rewarded its staff with a 10% bonus for their hard work last yearPoundstretcher will give nearly 4,000 employees a 10% pay rise to help cope with cost-of-living pressures.
  The discount retailer said over 70% of its workforce is eligible for the salary increase which is effective 1 April.
  This will be the second year it has given staff a pay increase. It boost
  
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• H&M confirms UK store closures

  31-01-2023 14:09 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // H&M confirms UK store closures due to a “rapid change in customer behaviour”
  // The affected stores include Burton, Hartlepool, Maidenhead and Isle of WightH&M has confirmed it will close four of its UK stores citing a “rapid change in customer behaviour”.
  The fashion retailer said it has been forced to shut a number of its branches around the world to meet its customers’ needs.
  The affected shops include its Burton branch, which closed earlier this
  
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• Home Bargains acquires fellow discount chain Quality Save

  31-01-2023 13:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Home Bargains acquires discount retailer Quality Save
  // The Liverpool-headquartered company has bought the retailer for an undisclosed sumHome Bargains has acquired discount retailer Quality Save as it expands its business.
  The Liverpool-headquartered company has bought the retailer for an undisclosed sum, while Richard Rudkin, Diane Rudkin and Paul Rudkin have all stepped down as directors, The Grocer reported.
  Home Bargains said: “We are pleased to confirm that TJ Morris acquired Qua
  
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• Pets at Home lifts guidance as demand for vet services jumps

  31-01-2023 13:21
  Veterinary service provider has benefited from surge in pet ownership during pandemic
  
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• BREAKING: Tesco buys Paperchase brand in pre-pack deal

  31-01-2023 13:05 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Tesco buys the Paperchase brand and IP after it collapsed this morning
  // It has not taken any Paperchase stores but plans to bring its products into its supermarketsTesco has bought the Paperchase brand and related IP in a pre-pack administration deal.
  The grocer plans to bring the brand to its stores. It is thought that Paperchase’s 106 UK stores will all close.
  Tesco managing director of home and clothing Jan Marchant said: “Paperchase is a well-loved brand by so many, and we&r
  
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• Asos angers shoppers with changes to Premier service

  31-01-2023 12:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Asos has upped its minimum spend for Premier members to receive free next-day delivery
  // The move, which has angered some shoppers, comes as new CEO José Antonio Ramos Calamonte looks to get the etailer back to growthAsos has angered Premier customers by upping the minimum spend needed to secure next-day delivery.
  The online giant has written to Premier members, which tend to the retailer’s most frequent customers, to inform them that from 28 February the minimum spend required
  
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• Lidl plant sales rise 52% thanks to Miley Cyrus’ new hit single ‘Flowers’

  31-01-2023 12:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Lidl flower sales rise by 52% following the release of Miley Cyrus’ new hit song Flowers
  // The song encourages people to embrace singlehood and purchase flowers for themselvesLidl has seen its plant sales surge thanks to Miley Cyrus’ new hit song ‘Flowers’.
  The German discounter said its flower plant sales rose by 52% thanks to new song, which was released worldwide on January 12.
  The song encourages people to embrace singlehood and purchase flowers for themselves. It
  
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• Nike confirms Tiffany & Co collab featuring Tiffany blue Air Force 1s

  31-01-2023 12:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Nike unveils collaboration with luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co
  // The collaboration was teased on social media showing black suede low-top Air Force 1 shoes with Tiffany brandingNike has teamed up with luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co to launch black suede low-top Air Force 1 shoes with a Tiffany blue leather swoosh.
  The collaboration was announced on Tiffany’s social media channels featuring a Tiffany blue shoe box with a Nike swoosh, with the words: “A legendary pair.&rdq
  
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• Grocery price inflation at highest level since 2008 as Brits turn to own-label lines

  31-01-2023 12:09 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Grocery price inflation hits record 16.7% in the four weeks to January 22
  // Shoppers are switching to supermarket own-label lines to save moneyFood price inflation has reached the highest level since 2008, resulting in shoppers switching to own-label lines to save money.
  Grocery price inflation hit a record 16.7% in the four weeks to January 22 – adding an extra £788 to UK shopping bills, according to Kantar.
  The data found that Brits have been shifting away from branded foods an
  
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• Paperchase collapses into administration

  31-01-2023 12:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Begbies Traynor appointed as administrator of Paperchase this morning
  // “Significant” interest had been received for Paperchase’s brand and IP, with Tesco understood to be leading the race to buy itPaperchase has collapsed into administration this morning, appointing Begbies Traynor to handle the process, as Tesco looks to snap up the retailer.
  Mark Fry, Kirstie Provan and Gary Shankland of Begbies Traynor were appointed as joint administrators of Aspen Phoenix Newco Limite
  
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• UK supermarket price inflation hits record high, adding £788 to annual bills

  31-01-2023 12:06
  
  Milk, eggs and dog food among grocery items whose prices rose fastestGrocery price inflation has hit a fresh record high of 16.7%, adding nearly £800 to the typical annual shopping bill, with the price of milk, eggs and dog food rising fastest.Inflation reached the new record in the four weeks to 22 January, according to retail analysts Kantar, the highest since it started tracking it in 2008. It was up sharply from December’s figure of 14.4%, which lifted Christmas spending to a rec
  
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• Tesco to make big changes to stores, affecting 2,100 jobs

  31-01-2023 11:04
  
  Supermarket chain to reduce number of shop managers and close remaining counters and hot delisTesco has announced a shake-up of its shop management in large UK stores along with the closure of its remaining meat, fish and hot deli counters, affecting 2,100 jobs.The UK’s biggest grocer said it had started rolling out a new management structure in 350 of its smaller superstores over the past two years and is extending this structure across its larger superstores and Extra stores.Continue rea
  
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• Tesco in advanced talks to acquire Paperchase in pre-pack deal

  31-01-2023 10:15 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Tesco is in advanced talks about buying Paperchase’s name and other intellectual property through a pre-pack administration
  // The stationery retailer has been on the brink of collapsing amid reports that rescue talks had failedTesco is close to buying Paperchase in a pre-pack deal that will likely lead to mass store closures.
  Britain’s biggest supermarket chain is in advanced talks about buying the stationery retailer‘s name and other intellectual property through a pre-pac
  
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• BREAKING: Tesco in advanced talks to acquire Paperchase in pre-pack deal

  31-01-2023 10:15 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Tesco is in advanced talks about buying Paperchase’s name and other intellectual property through a pre-pack administration
  // The stationery retailer has been on the brink of collapsing amid reports that rescue talks had failedTesco is close to buying Paperchase in a pre-pack deal that will likely lead to mass store closures.
  Britain’s biggest supermarket chain is in advanced talks about buying the stationery retailer‘s name and other intellectual property through a pre-pac
  
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• Tesco to cut store management and axe counters, 2,000 jobs at risk

  31-01-2023 10:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Tesco unveils new efficiency plan, including a new management structure and the closure of all food counters
  // The supermarket has also proposed the closure of eight pharmacies, where there are other pharmacies within one mile of a storeTesco is to axe all remaining food counters and is rolling out a new store management structure, in a suite of store changes that will put more than 2,000 roles at risk.
  Over the last couple of years the grocery giant has introduced a new management structure
  
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• Tesco to make big changes to stores, putting 2,100 jobs at risk

  31-01-2023 09:57
  
  Supermarket chain to reduce number of shop managers and close remaining counters and hot delisTesco has announced a shake-up of its shop management along with the closure of its remaining counters and hot delis in supermarkets, putting about 2,100 jobs at risk.The UK’s biggest grocer will reduce the number of lead and team managers in large UK stores, affecting 1,750 workers. It also plans to shut its remaining counters and hot delis in UK stores from 26 February. Continue reading...
  
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• Wickes sales boosted by energy-saving products

  31-01-2023 09:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Wickes sees group sales rise by 11.5% in the 13-week period ending 31 December
  // It said that while DIY sales remain below last year, the performance improved at the end of the fourth quarterWickes like-for-like sales grew by 5.2% in its fourth quarter as it saw strong demand for energy-saving products such as loft insulation and draught excluders.
  “Do It For Me” like-for-like sales soared 34.5%, which helped total group sales increase by 11.5% in the final three months of 2
  
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• Prettylittlething signs new London office and showroom

  31-01-2023 09:17 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // PrettyLittleThing is set to open a new showroom and office space in central London this April
  // The premises will house a content room, photo studio, working offices, meeting rooms and a showroom spacePrettyLittleThing has signed onto a new showroom and office space located on 29-31 Great Portland Street, in the heart of Oxford Circus.
  The online fast-fashion retailer will occupy the 4,375 sq ft premises following similar openings in Paris, Miami and Los Angeles.
  The new space, set to open m
  
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• Prettylittlething signs new London office & showroom space

  31-01-2023 09:17 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // PrettyLittleThing is set to open a new showroom and office space in central London this April
  // The premises will house a content room, photo studio, working offices, meeting rooms and a showroom spacePrettyLittleThing has signed onto a new showroom and office space located on 29-31 Great Portland Street, in the heart of Oxford Circus.
  The online fast-fashion retailer will occupy the 4,375sq ft premises following similar openings in Paris, Miami and Los Angeles.
  The new space, set to open mi
  
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• Pets at Home raises profit outlook and makes key exec hire

  31-01-2023 09:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Pets at Home sees group revenue rise 8.8% to £347.5m with growth underpinned by a record number of consumers and “pleasing” volume growth
  // In the update, the retailer said Kathryn Imrie has been appointed to the newly created role of chief consumer officerPets at Home has upgraded its profits guidance as it hailed record third-quarter revenues thanks to robust demand for its pet food, litter and accessories.
  The pet retailer posted like-for-like sales growth of 8.3% i
  
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• Pets at Home raises profit outlook after robust Christmas

  31-01-2023 09:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Pets at Home sees group revenue rise 8.8% to £347.5m with growth underpinned by a record number of consumers and “pleasing” volume growth
  // In the update, the retailer said Kathryn Imrie has been appointed to the newly created role of chief consumer officerPets at Home has upgraded its profits guidance as it hailed record third-quarter revenues thanks to robust demand for its pet food, litter and accessories.
  The pet retailer posted like-for-like sales growth of 8.3% i
  
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• Nearly half of FTSE retailers issued profit warnings in 2022

  31-01-2023 08:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // About 48% of FTSE retailers warned on profits last year citing rising costs and falling consumer demand as the biggest factors
  // FTSE retailers issued the highest number of warnings in 2022Nearly half of UK listed retailers issued profit warnings in 2022, more than any other industry.
  According to EY-Parthenon’s latest Profit Warning report, 48% of FTSE retailers warned on profits last year citing rising costs and weakened consumer demand as the biggest factors.
  In total, 36% of FTSE c
  
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• Matchesfashion owner injects £60m to fuel turnaround

  31-01-2023 08:38 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Matchesfashion’s owners Apax Partners have agreed to inject £60 million into the business,
  // The luxury fashion retailer said the investment will combine an anticipated split of £40m in equity and £20m in debtMatchesfashion’s owners, private equity firm Apax Partners, are set to invest £60m into the business to help fuel its turnaround.
  The London-based buyout firm has agreed to inject £60m into the British luxury fashion retailer which sells brands
  
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• Paperchase could collapse today as hopes of rescue deal fade

  31-01-2023 08:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Paperchase is on the brink of collapsing amid reports that the business is in talks to secure a pre-pack administration deal
  // It is unclear how many stores and jobs might be put at risk by another administration processPaperchase could reportedly be set to collapse and appoint administrators as soon as today, Sky News reports.
  The stationary retailer could appoint insolvency practitioners from Begbies Traynor on Tuesday as “insiders” told the news outlet that the sale of th
  
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• Cost of living pressure causes dip in December retail sales

  31-01-2023 03:33
  
  Large seasonally adjusted fall of 3.9% also due to higher spending over Black Friday sales period, economists sayFollow our Australia news live blog for the latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastRetail sales fell 3.9% in December on a seasonally adjusted basis as cost of living pressures and rising mortgage repayments began to hit households.ABS head of retail statistics, Ben Dorber, said seasonal spending patterns over the Black Friday and holida
  
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• Wickes posts rise in fourth quarter sales

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Wickes saw its core like-for-like sales grow by 5.2% in its fourth quarter as trade continued to improve following the summer. Furthermore, group sales rose by... View Article
  
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• Whose Roadmap is it anyway?

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Does technology drive the business or does the business drive the technology? For many  CIOs and IT leaders the Roadmap might feel more like a cycle... View Article
  
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• Tesco in talks to buy Paperchase

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Tesco is understood to be in advanced talks about acquiring the Paperchase greeting card and stationery brand. According to Sky News, the supermarket is considering buying... View Article
  
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• Shaftesbury partners with Good on You to launch sustainability scheme

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  West End landlord Shaftesbury confirms partnership with leading sustainability ratings partner Good On You. The partnership marks the first landlord to partner with the sustainability ratings... View Article
  
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• Saks strengthens commitment to menswear online and in-store

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Saks has unveiled a new men’s shopping experience on the seventh floor of its Saks Fifth Avenue New York flagship and expanded its menswear range online.... View Article
  
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• Pets at Home raises full year profit guidance after strong third quarter

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Pets at Home has upped its full-year profit guidance after announcing record third quarter results. In the 12 weeks to 5 January, the retailer’s group revenue... View Article
  
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• People in Retail Awards category roundup announced

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Over the past few years, we’ve really seen retail rock stars demonstrate their talent on the front line. The People in Retail Awards will focus on... View Article
  
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• Paperchase close to collapse

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Paperchase is close to collapsing into administration as hopes of a rescue deal fade. It was reported two weeks ago that the struggling stationery retailer may... View Article
  
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• New store changes at Tesco put over 2,000 jobs at risk

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  More than 2,00o jobs are at risk at Tesco after the supermarket said it is to close all remaining food counters and in-store delis and overhaul its... View Article
  
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• Home Bargains acquires Quality Save discount chain

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Home Bargains has acquired variety discount chain Quality Save. Founded in 1974, Quality Save has 21 stores in the north of England. It has now become... View Article
  
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• H&M to close more UK stores

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Scandinavian fashion giant H&M has announced the closure of three more UK stores. The major high street fashion brand says a “rapid change in customer behaviour” is to... View Article
  
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• Grosvenor Shopping Northampton acquired by Evolve Estates

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Grosvenor Shopping Northampton is now under new ownership after being purchased by Evolve Estates. Part of the M Core group, Evolve has acquired the 319,048 square foot... View Article
  
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• An eye on the future and an ear to the ground. Adopting technical advances and listening to customers – the secret of success. 

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Lee Jones, Managing Director NER – Merchant Services at Worldline. It is fair to say that 2022 has been a year of sharp contradictions across every vertical... View Article
  
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• Aldi launches biggest-ever apprenticeship drive

  31-01-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Aldi has confirmed that it is looking to recruit over 500 new apprentices across the UK this year. The move marks the supermarket’s biggest ever apprenticeship... View Article
  
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