Retail news

• Lidl becomes fifth UK supermarket to ration salad vegetables

  27-02-2023 20:31
  Government seeks to reassure the public of ‘resilient’ supply chains
  
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• John Lewis boss Pippa Wicks leaves after less than three years in job

  27-02-2023 17:54
  
  ‘Never knowingly undersold’ pledge was ditched under Wicks’ leadership of department store chain businessJohn Lewis Partnership has parted company with Pippa Wicks, the head of its department store chain who oversaw the ditching of its famous “never knowingly undersold” marketing pledge, after less than three years.She joined the employee-owned group from the Co-op in August 2020 as part of a management restructure by the chair, Dame Sharon White, to create separate
  
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• Nine tomatoes for fifteen pounds? How the very basics became more expensive than oysters | Zoe Williams

  27-02-2023 17:43
  
  Welcome to the ‘hungry gap’ – the time of year when salad days are months away, and there simply isn’t enough food. To confront this in 2023 forces a reckoningI don’t even like tomatoes, especially, but I seemed to have nine in a paper bag, and had picked them up with my own hands – this detail will be important later. I had a couple of other things – a single onion and some herb that I could have just as easily stolen from a front garden – and my
  
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• John Lewis executive director Pippa Wicks steps down

  27-02-2023 17:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // John Lewis executive director Pippa Wicks resigns from her role
  // John Lewis said her departure followed “a period of considerable transformation of the John Lewis brand”John Lewis executive director Pippa Wicks is set to depart from her role at the department store chain.
  The resignation comes as Wicks approaches three years at John Lewis, where she was responsible for turning the business around.
  John Lewis said her departure followed “a period of considerable transformat
  
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• Supermarkets should consider their role in the great British salad crunch

  27-02-2023 16:53
  Supply chain breakdown has led to a shortage of vegetables but low prices are also to blame
  
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• ABF/Primark: fast-fashion group enjoys shopping’s speedy recovery

  27-02-2023 16:37
  Medium-term growth prospects justify bullish view of the shares
  
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• Frasers Group begins redundancy process at former JD Sports brands, with 90 jobs at risk

  27-02-2023 15:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Frasers Group has begun consultation at the fashion brands it bought from JD Sports
  // The group acquired 14 businesses from JD Sports just before and after ChristmasFrasers Group has started a consultation at the fashion brands it bought from JD Sports, placing 90 jobs at risk.
  The group acquired 14 businesses from JD Sports just before Christmas in a surprise £47.5m deal.
  Redundancy consultations have begun at several businesses, including at Tessuti and Scotts, which are still l
  
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• Frasers Group begins redundancy process at former JD Sports brands, 90 jobs at risk

  27-02-2023 15:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Frasers Group has begun consultation at the fashion brands it bought from JD Sports
  // The group acquired 14 businesses from JD Sports just before and after ChristmasFrasers Group has started a consultation at the fashion brands it bought from JD Sports, placing 90 jobs at risk.
  The group acquired 14 businesses from JD Sports just before Christmas in a surprise £47.5m deal.
  Redundancy consultations have begun at several businesses, including at Tessuti and Scotts, which are still l
  
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• Dunelm becomes latest retailer to trial four-day week

  27-02-2023 14:48 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Dunelm trials four-day working week with the option for staff to work at home or in the office
  // The trial is open to select departments with a view of expanding the initativeDunelm is offering some of its staff the option to work four days a week as it trials a new shorter hybrid working model.
  The homewares retailer is testing different four-day working patterns for its staff in selected departments with the possibility of expanding the initiative once the trail is over, Retail Week r
  
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• Dunelm becomes latest retailer to trail four-day week

  27-02-2023 14:48 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Dunelm trials four-day working week with the option for staff to work at home or in the office
  // The trial is open to select departments with a view of expanding the initative, Retail Week reportsDunelm is offering some of its staff the option to work four days a week as it trials a new shorter hybrid working model.
  The homewares retailer is testing different four-day working patterns for its staff in selected departments with the possibility of expanding the initiative once the trail i
  
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• LVMH looks to acquire Cartier

  27-02-2023 14:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // LVMH looking to purchase French luxury giant Cartier
  // LVMH currently owns Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & CoLVMH is looking to acquire fellow French luxury brand Cartier, according to speculations.
  The French conglomerate LVMH, which currently owns Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co, is considering adding Cartier to its portfolio.
  According to a report from the Swiss newspaper Finanz und Wirtschaft, LVMH is eyeing a takeover of competitor Richemont.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
  Sign
  
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• Lidl becomes latest retailer to ration sales of salad ingredients

  27-02-2023 14:17
  
  Supermarket chain imposes buying limits on peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers after surge in demandWhy are UK supermarkets facing fresh food shortages?Lidl has become the latest major supermarket chain to ration sales of some fruit and vegetables after a surge in shoppers looking for them after rival retailers implemented their own restrictions.The UK’s sixth-largest supermarket chain said it had introduced buying limit of three items per customer on peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers after a &l
  
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• Sephora reveals opening date for first physical UK store

  27-02-2023 14:16 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Sephora to open first physical store in the UK on March 8
  // The new 6,000sq ft shop will include a dedicated beauty hubSephora has confirmed that its first physical store in the UK will open on March 8 at London Westfield White City.
  The new 6,000sq ft shop will include a dedicated beauty hub which offers beauty services and treatments.
  Other additions include Sephora’s first Lip Bar and a Hot on Social corner, consisting of a curation of top trending products on social media
  
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• Primark owner expects higher profits as consumer spending holds up

  27-02-2023 13:26
  Associated British Foods cautions on consumer outlook for second half of year
  
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• Tesco rolls out new Aveeno ‘lift and learn’ skincare display in stores

  27-02-2023 13:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // READ MORE ON GROCERY GAZETTETesco is rolling out a new ‘lift and learn’ product display from skincare brand Aveeno at several of its stores across the UK.
  By tapping into sensor technology, the “skin selector activation unit” reacts when consumers lift an Aveeno product from the shelf – revealing specific product information and content on video screens above.
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• Lidl joins supermarkets in rationing fruit and veg

  27-02-2023 12:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Lidl becomes the latest supermarket to limit purchases on some fruit and veg amid supply shortages
  // The German retailer is limiting sales of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbersLidl has become the latest supermarket to place limits on some fruit and vegetable purchases amid supply shortages.
  The German grocer joins Aldi, Asda, Morrisons and Tesco in introducing temporary restrictions.
  Lidl is restricting the purchase of cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes to three items per person.Subscribe to
  
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• Moonpig stops selling cards with pugs after animal welfare concerns

  27-02-2023 11:25 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Moonpig to stop selling cards with pictures of pugs and French bulldogs after criticism from vets and campaigners
  // It will also not be designing or sourcing any card designs featuring these breeds in futureMoonpig will no longer sell cards with pictures of pugs and French bulldogs after criticism from vets and campaigners who said it “normalises their suffering from respiratory ailments”.
  The move comes as Animal rights lobby group Peta raised concerns that the online retai
  
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• Primark expects higher profits as people shop early for summer

  27-02-2023 11:19
  
  Associated British Foods says six-month figures helped by stronger-than-expected clothing performanceThe owner of the clothing retailer Primark said annual profits will be higher than previously expected after Britons started shopping early for the summer and as inflation eases.Associated British Foods (ABF) said people were planning for their holidays despite the cost of living crisis, with strong sales of luggage and beachwear. Continue reading...
  
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• Yoox marketplace launches pre-owned category for luxury fashion

  27-02-2023 11:10 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Yoox is launching a pre-owned category on its marketplace as it promotes circular fashion
  // It follows the launch of resale services powered by Reflaunt on Net-a-porter, Mr Porter and The Outnet last yearLuxury fashion marketplace Yoox is launching a pre-owned category in a bid to become the new go-to destination for second-hand shopping.
  On its website Yoox says its pre-owned area was created to give new life to apparel and accessories, a space dedicated to a selection of second-hand styles
  
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• Lavish Alice wholesale arm goes into administration in DTC push

  27-02-2023 11:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Lavish Alice’s wholesale arm has collapsed into administration after increasing financial challenges pushed it over the edge
  // The move will see the fashion brand move to an online-only DTC modelThe wholesale arm of Lavish Alice has collapsed into administration after increasing financial challenges pushed it over the edge.
  The move, which the label’s directors said was voluntary, will see the fashion brand move to an online-only D2C model.
  Jeremy Woodside and Frank Ofonagor
  
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• Is private equity tearing the soul out of Morrisons supermarket?

  27-02-2023 11:00
  
  The UK chain’s thrifty founding family would never have run it this way. Now, with high debts and falling profits, signs look grim‘We all say he would be turning in his grave. It is not what it was,” says one former member of staff outside the Girlington branch of Morrisons in Bradford.On the streets of the West Yorkshire city that Sir Ken Morrison helped put on the map, the mood surrounding Britain’s fifth-biggest supermarket chain is decidedly glum. Continue reading...
  
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• Supermarket bosses to meet farming minister over fruit and veg shortage

  27-02-2023 10:48 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Farming minister Mark Spencer has summoned supermarket bosses in a desperate bid to solve the recent fruit and veg shortages
  // This comes as supermarkets introduce purchasing limits on affected productsSupermarket bosses are set to meet farming minister Mark Spencer in a desperate bid to solve the recent fruit and vegetable shortages.
  Some grocers have even introduced restrictions on sales of affected products over growing concerns the dwindling supply of fresh produce may last a while.
  
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• Primark owner raises full-year outlook as it trades ‘well ahead of expectations’

  27-02-2023 09:39 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Primark owner Associated British Foods has upped its outlook for the full year after reporting a jump in sales at the budget fashion retailer
  // UK trading was “particularly strong” and sales growth for the half year is expected to be up 15%, “driven by an increase in like-for-like sales of 14%”Primark owner Associated British Foods said it has been boosted by better-than-expected trading at its value retail division.
  As a result, the group has lifted guidance for the
  
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• Jigsaw unveils ambitious store expansion plan with three new openings this year

  27-02-2023 09:05 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Jigsaw is opening three new stores this year in Manchester, Islington and Kingston as it bounces back from its CVA
  // CEO Beth Butterwick said the retailer could open about 20 new sites in the next few yearsJigsaw is reopening stores less than two years after closing a large portion of its portfolio, The Times reports.
  The womenswear retailer, which shut about 30 of its 76 stores as part of a restructuring programme back in 2020, has three new locations confirmed for this year, in Manchester
  
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• LloydsPharmacy to sell ‘significant number’ of stores amid funding concerns

  27-02-2023 08:51 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // LloydsPharmacy is selling a “significant number” of its standalone store across the UK amid government funding concerns
  // The group is understood to have contacted pharmacy sales specialists to handle to offloading of its store estateLloydsPharmacy is understood to be offloading a “significant number” of its standalone stores amid concerns over government funding for the industry, with several branches sold in recent weeks.
  Pharmacy Network News reported Hut
  
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• Waitrose axes Heston Blumenthal range after 12 years

  27-02-2023 08:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Waitrose is parting ways with Heston Blumenthal after a 12-year venture with the celebrity chef
  // The grocer said it would be taking its “product development in a new direction” under the leadership of Martyn Lee, its own executive chef.After 12 years of culinary partnership, Waitrose will be ending the Heston from Waitrose range which saw him starring in TV adverts which helped boost sales.
  According to a statement made by the retailer, products in the Heston from Waitrose range
  
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• The O2 hails successful trading in January and February half term

  27-02-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Icon Outlet at The O2 posted strong trading throughout January with sales up 34%. Sales at The O2’s Entertainment District were also buoyant with an uplift... View Article
  
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• SEPHORA’s first London store will open on March 8th

  27-02-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  SEPHORA has announced that the grand opening of its first physical store at Westfield London in White City will take place on March 8th, 2023. ​... View Article
  
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• Primark trading well ahead of expectations

  27-02-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Primark owner Associated British Foods has said first half trading at the fashion retailer has been better than expected and “good” in all markets. ABF said... View Article
  
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• Neighbourly donated over 38 million meals in 2022

  27-02-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Giving platform Neighbourly has reported an impressive year of growth in 2022, with the Bristol-based business surpassing the milestone of 100 million meals redistributed and doubling... View Article
  
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• JoJo Maman Bébé hails recovery in sales

  27-02-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Baby goods retailer JoJo Maman Bébé  has posted a recovery in sales after it benefited more customers visiting its high street stores due to the lifting... View Article
  
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• John Lewis announces new design director and vision for home

  27-02-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The John Lewis department store chain has appointed Charlotta Elgh as its first director of design for home. The retailer said the move coincides with a... View Article
  
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• Hobbycraft goes green for Easter

  27-02-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Hobbycraft has gone green for Easter with more lines than ever before being packaged in reusable or recyclable packaging. Plastic packaging has been reduced significantly and... View Article
  
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• Hervia reopens HQ and flagship store following investment

  27-02-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Manchester’s iconic fashion retailer Hervia will today reopen their new HQ and flagship store following its acquisition by growth investor Rami Cassis in the middle of... View Article
  
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• Dune announces new US appointment

  27-02-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Footwear brand Dune has appointed Lindsey Borkowski as vice president of North American sales. Borkowski was previously head of sales at Ted Baker. Prior to that,... View Article
  
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• Coming to Shoptalk Europe can be as easy as child’s play!

  27-02-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  We know how hard it is to juggle work and be the best parent you can be. That’s why this year for the first time ever... View Article
  
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