Retail news

• Fraud inquiry launched after foreign pork allegedly sold as British

  29-03-2023 19:05
  
  Farmers Weekly reports that leading UK food manufacturer supplied supermarkets with sometimes rotten meatForeign pork falsely labelled as British appears to have been sold by leading supermarkets, according to a new report released as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) launched an investigation into supply chain fraud.An investigation by the trade publication Farmers Weekly has found that until at least the end of 2020, one of the UK’s top food manufacturers has been selling mislabelled and s
  
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• Next’s success contains hard lessons for John Lewis partnership| Nils Pratley

  29-03-2023 18:51
  
  John Lewis’s reaction to to the rise in online shopping came lateSelf-examination in retail-land comes in different forms. At the John Lewis Partnership, management is contemplating the previously unthinkable and wondering whether to look for an outside investor to take a minority stake. Over at FTSE 100 firm Next, long-serving chief executive Lord Wolfson opened his annual sermon for shareholders by asking whether the clothing retailer had reached maturity.While Next’s 20-year finan
  
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• Asda profits slide as supermarket chain cuts prices

  29-03-2023 18:45
  Issa brothers want group to overtake Sainsbury’s as UK’s second-biggest grocer
  
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• Ocado CEO: Kroger remains committed to building more automated warehouses

  29-03-2023 17:34 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // US retail giant Kroger is dedicated to expanding the number of its automated warehouses in partnership with Ocado as it remains “extremely positive” about the relationship.
  // To find out more, visit Retail Gazette’s sister site, Charged Retail: click hereAccording to the initial deal, Kroger was meant to identify up to a total of 20 sites for building automated warehouse facilities in the US over the first three years of the agreement.
  CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT KROGER’
  
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• Thrive with Sainsbury’s: Meet the black-owned brands shaking up the grocery sector

  29-03-2023 17:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // READ MORE ON GROCERY GAZETTEWorth a staggering £441 billion, the consumer goods industry is the biggest industry in the UK – but despite the size of the sector, it still has a significant way to go in terms of ethnic representation and diversity.
  Of the 70 million people who live in the UK, 16% – or 11 million people – come from a multi-ethnic background. According to The Black Pound Report, this equates to an annual disposable income of around £4.5 billion,
  
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• Next: retailer’s attempt to size up is stymied by rising costs

  29-03-2023 17:12
  UK fashion group’s chief Lord Simon Wolfson cautions that opportunities to expand are ‘less numerous than they were’
  
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• Asda full-year profits plunge 24% as it sets sights on second biggest grocer slot

  29-03-2023 17:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Asda posts drop in profits thanks to cost price inflation
  // The grocer remains confident as it focuses on price investments and new propositionsAsda has reported a 24% drop in profits in 2022, which owner Mohsin Issa termed a “highly resilient” performance, as sales start to improve.
  Adjusted EBITDA plunged to £886m over the year as Issa said it made a “conscious decision to support customers by investing heavily to mitigate the impact of inflation and keep price
  
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• Alibaba: small poppies split hands bouquet to party bosses

  29-03-2023 16:05
  Break-up of group may placate regulators but is unlikely to make its businesses more competitive
  
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• Alibaba: a bouquet of six small poppies for party bosses

  29-03-2023 16:05
  Break-up of group may placate regulators but is unlikely to make its businesses more competitive
  
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• Alibaba bets on split to survive Chinese tech’s new battlefields

  29-03-2023 14:02
  Separation of units marks biggest shake-up of ecommerce group since Jack Ma founded it 24 years ago
  
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• Iceland to convert chiller cabinets in Food Warehouse stores to slash energy bills

  29-03-2023 13:28 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Iceland to convert open chillers to doored fridges in 150 Food Warehouse stores
  // The initiative is expected to reduce energy costsIceland will convert open chillers to doored fridges in 150 Food Warehouse stores in an effort to tackle rising energy bills.
  The frozen food retailer is converting its estate of chiller cabinets to more energy efficient fridges by working with refrigeration manufacturer The Bond Group.
  The works are set to be completed by November.Subscribe to Retail G
  
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• Decathlon rolls out rental service to all its stores

  29-03-2023 13:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Decathlon rolls out its sports rental scheme in all its UK stores
  // The sports retailer has committed £1m worth of products to the scheme which include bikes, kayaks, tennis rackets and paddle boardsDecathlon has rolled out its sports rental service to all of its stores following a successful trial last year.
  From today, customers will now be able to rent products including bikes, kayaks, paddle boards and tennis rackets from their nearest branch.
  The sports retailer has committed
  
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• Poundland to open largest store in Yorkshire

  29-03-2023 12:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Poundland to open doors to its largest store in Yorkshire this Friday morning
  // The new store will be launching on the Parkgate Centre, Rotherham, spanning 18,500sq ftPoundland is set to open its largest store in Yorkshire this Friday.
  The new store will be launching on the Parkgate Centre, Rotherham, spanning 18,500sq ft – over three times the size of a typical Poundland store.
  It will offer categories such as food and drink, home and pet, entertainment and stationery as the retailer
  
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• Aldi to donate 400,000 meals to people in need over Easter

  29-03-2023 12:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Aldi will be supporting charities, community groups and food banks
  // The grocer is looking to donate 400,000 meals to people in need during EasterAldi will donate up to 400,000 meals to people in need during the Easter holidays.
  The grocer said it will be supporting charities, community groups and food banks across the UK through its partnership with community giving platform Neighbourly.
  At least three quarters of the donations will go to causes that support children.Subscribe to Retail Gaz
  
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• How to get data-driven personalisation right in retail

  29-03-2023 12:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Organisations have a plethora of customer data, but they often struggle to turn that data into actionable intelligence. The ‘How to get data-driven personalisation right in retail’ whitepaper explores real life examples of who is doing it well, how they are doing it, and what it takes to deliver a high-quality experience at every customer touchpoint.
  Take a look to learn five areas where personalisation can make a significant difference, including:Digital communication
  Calls to actio
  
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• Roundtable: Getting your CX right: where should retailers focus?

  29-03-2023 12:19 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Customer service is more important than ever with 73% of business leaders reporting a measurable increase in queries over the past year and three quarters predicting a volume uplift over the next year, according to Zendesk’s CX Trends 2023 report.
  New technology is offering retailers opportunities to deliver better service, but where should they focus to meet customers’ ever-evolving expectations?
  Executives from businesses including Sainsbury’s, Co-op, M&S, AB InBev and An
  
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• Next asks for clarity on corporate tax as it warns on profits

  29-03-2023 11:10
  Retailer says combination of rising costs and stagnant sales will make 2023 ‘challenging’
  
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• Boots CEO: “We tried to make Sephora’s launch a disaster”

  29-03-2023 11:05 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Boots boss Seb James said his team strived to make Sephora’s UK store launch a disaster
  // James urged retailers to stick the boot in when competitors are strugglingBoots CEO Seb James admitted his team plotted to make Sephora’s store launch a failure as it benefited from additional sales the day the beauty brand opened in Westfield London.
  James told Retail Week Live: “Our whole team lent into the idea of making that launch a disaster. As a result a whole flock of new custo
  
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• Next expects price rises to slow this year in sign that inflation is easing

  29-03-2023 10:11
  
  Retailer reports record annual profits of £870m after stronger-than-expected sales but says 2023 could be ‘very challenging’Next said it expects to raise prices more slowly in the coming year in a sign of easing inflation, as the clothing and homeware retailer reported record annual profits of £870m.The FTSE 100 company increased profits by 5.7% in the year to 31 January, while total sales from trading rose by 8.4% compared with the previous year to £5.1bn, it said
  
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• Adidas withdraws trademark claim over Black Lives Matter three-stripe design

  29-03-2023 09:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Adidas withdraws its trademark claim against Black Lives Matter
  // The sportswear retailer argued the political group’s yellow-stripe design would create confusion with its own three-stripe markAdidas has withdrawn its request to the US authorities to reject a Black Lives Matter application for a trademark featuring three parallel stripes.
  The sportswear retailer said: “Adidas will withdraw its opposition to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation’s trademark a
  
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• Next profits edge up but it predicts decline this year

  29-03-2023 09:43 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Next profits and sales rise thanks to strong performance across retail and on its total platform
  // The group reported pre-tax profits came in above expectations at £870.4m for the year to January 2023Next’s full-year profits beat expectations, however, the retailer forecasts that sales and profits will fall in its current year.
  The fashion retailer’s pre-tax profits rose 5.7% to £870.4m in the year to January 2023, £10m above its previous guidance, due to s
  
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• As the government scales back support, where does this leave retailers with soaring energy bills?

  29-03-2023 09:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retailers have been battling against soaring costs in recent years with skyrocketing energy prices eating into profits.
  M&S, Pets at Home and B&Q owner Kingfisher are among a few that have been forced to adjust its profit guidance at some point in the last year as a result of climbing energy costs.
  Over the past year, the government has heavily subsidised energy bills through capping wholesale prices, which has provided the industry with some short-lived relief.
  However, this is set to c
  
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• Waitrose pulls out of Planet Organic deal

  29-03-2023 08:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Waitrose has pulled out of talks to buy a stake in Planet Organic
  // A deal would have seen Waitrose inject millions of pounds into the organic supermarket for a signicant shareholdingWaitrose has called off talks to acquire a stake in organic supermarket chain Planet Organic.
  The upmarket grocer terminated discussions about a possible deal late last week, Sky News reported.
  An agreement would have seen Waitrose inject millions of pounds into the organic supermarket chain in exchange for
  
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• United Carpets and Beds launches rebrand

  29-03-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Franchised flooring and beds retailer United Carpet and Beds has announced the launch of its new-look logo and refreshed route to market. The rebrand, which sees... View Article
  
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• Tapi launches new store in Milton Keynes

  29-03-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Tapi Carpets & Floors has opened a new store in Milton Keynes. Situated at Watling Street in the Bletchley area of the city, the shop offers... View Article
  
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• Pandora appoints chief of retail operations

  29-03-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Pandora has promoted Massimo Basei to the role of chief of retail operations. Due to take up his role from 1 April, he currently holds the... View Article
  
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• Next full year profit better than expected

  29-03-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Next has posted better than expected full year profit as it said it expects to raise prices more slowly in the year ahead. In the 12... View Article
  
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• Holland and Barrett launches blood test kit service ‘Ivie’

  29-03-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Holland & Barrett are encouraging customers to get proactive about their health and optimise their wellbeing with the launch of Ivie – a new service combining... View Article
  
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• Boots benefits from record breaking beauty performance

  29-03-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Boots saw its retail sales climb by 16% in the three months to 28 February as it benefited from busy Christmas trading and a record-breaking performance... View Article
  
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• Aldi to donate 400,000 meals over Easter school holidays

  29-03-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Aldi will be supporting charities, community groups and food banks across the UK by donating up to 400,000 meals to people in need during the Easter... View Article
  
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• [ GUIDE ] Recession-proof Retailing: How UK retailers can avoid overstocks and thrive during the times of turmoil

  29-03-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Not everyone wants to admit it but UK retailers are facing certain problems. Inflation, overstock, demographic changes – they all impact the present and the future... View Article
  
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