Retail news

• Alcohol-free beer: thirst for healthier options fuels jump in UK sales

  03-07-2023 17:32
  
  Rise in demand also down to brands launching no- and low-alcohol products with more ‘authentic’ tasteSales of no- and low-alcohol beer are experiencing a summer surge, with brewers boosting production to meet growing demand.The increasing thirst for beer that is not booze has been attributed to a growing desire among many individuals – particularly some generation Zs and millennials – to lead a healthier lifestyle, coupled with premium brands launching beers that are said
  
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• Fuel retailers to be made to publish live prices after using UK motorists as ‘cash cows’

  03-07-2023 15:43
  
  Drivers paying more for petrol and diesel than before Covid because of weakened competition, says CMABusiness live – latest updatesThe UK energy secretary has accused fuel retailers of using motorists as “cash cows” after a consumer watchdog found that drivers were paying more for petrol and diesel than before the Covid pandemic because of “weakened” competition.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that “due to a decision by the traditional price l
  
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• Asda and Morrisons increasing fuel margins for UK consumers, watchdog says

  03-07-2023 15:41 via ft.com
  Government pledges reforms after CMA calls for greater market transparency for motorists
  
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• AO helps lost elderly couple at head office buy tumble dryer

  03-07-2023 15:35 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  AO stayed true to its “treat every customer like their gran” pledge after helping a lost elderly couple that turned up at its head office looking to buy a tumble dryer.
  Having struggled to buy a machine online after their old one broke, Brenda and Alan Huby remembered their friend had recommended the electronics retailer after having a “positive experience”.
  On the hunt for a new appliance, the pair then accidentally turned up at Middlebrook Retail Park in Bolton, where t
  
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• Superdrug taps Chloe Carmichael for cost-of-living ambassador role

  03-07-2023 15:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Superdrug has named deals expert and TV presenter Chloe Carmichael as its new cost-of-living ambassador as it looks to support shoppers feeling the pinch.
  Carmichael, who runs a 60,000+ strong online community Chloe’s Deal Club, will be working with the business from July to September to raise awareness on summer savings and the best value own-brand products across key categories.
  She will also be creating a mini-series on social media to raise awareness of the very best savings, deals and
  
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• Ocado hires Amazon exec as European president for Solutions business

  03-07-2023 14:56 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Ocado Group has hired Amazon director Gregor Ulitzka for the new role of European president for its Solutions business.
  Ulitzka was director of supply chain and inventory management for Europe at Amazon and has also spent 13 years working for German grocer Metro.
  He said: “Ocado already partners with some of Europe’s most recognised names in grocery. I’m excited to develop these relationships further with my team and continue Ocado’s excellent work by expanding the reach
  
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• CMA fines Asda for failing to comply in fuel pricing probe

  03-07-2023 14:38 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has fined Asda £60,000 over failing to provide information for its fuel pricing probe.
  The supermarket was handed two fines, each valued at £30,000, for “failing to respond to a compulsory written request for information” and for sending a representative to a CMA meeting who was not equipped to provide appropriate evidence.
  The watchdog published its findings on Monday from its year-long investigation into whether “any fai
  
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• Research: consumers favour cross-border shopping amid cost-of-living crisis

  03-07-2023 13:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  While consumers are generally cutting back their online spendings and adopting cost-saving measures, they are still shopping online – and now increasingly more outside of their domestic markets than ever before, new research suggests.
  The survey by global leader in payments services, Worldline, questioned 6,000 respondents across six European countries, who acknowledged that the rising cost of living was their most pressing concern.
  Consumers, who are now buying less, are taking more advan
  
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• Watchdog proposes UK monitor to tackle petrol and diesel price disparities

  03-07-2023 12:46
  
  Weakened competition between retailers has helped to drive up prices since 2019, says CMABusiness live – latest updatesThe UK’s competition watchdog has proposed the launch of a fuel price monitor after it found that drivers were paying more for petrol and diesel than before the Covid pandemic because of “weakened” competition between retailers.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said on Monday that “due to a decision by the traditional price leaders to comp
  
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• Weak petrol competition pushes up prices for UK consumers, watchdog says

  03-07-2023 12:45 via ft.com
  Average supermarket fuel margins climbed 6p a litre between 2019 and 2022, CMA says
  
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• PrettyLittleThing to collaborate with Naomi Campbell

  03-07-2023 12:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  PrettyLittleThing (PLT) will launch collaboration with supermodel Naomi Campbell.
  The fast fashion giant made the announcement on Instagram this weekend, posting a reel of a co-branded director’s chair.
  From the looks of the post, Campbell will design a collection for the business which is set to arrive “soon”.
   
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• JD Sports signs first franchise deal as it targets Middle East growth

  03-07-2023 09:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  JD Sports has signed its first franchise agreement as it looks to expand its presence in the Middle East under its five-year global growth strategy.
  The sportswear retailer has agreed a 10-year partnership with Dubai-headquartered wellbeing company GMG.
  As part of the deal, the business will open around 50 stores with the JD fascia in United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt by 2028.
  JD Sports said GMG had an “unparalleled understanding of the consumer in the Mid
  
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• JD Sports signs first franchise agreement

  03-07-2023 09:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  JD Sports has signed its first franchise agreement as it looks to expand its presence in the Middle East under its global growth strategy.
  The sportswear retailer has agreed a 10-year partnership with Dubai-headquartered wellbeing company GMG.
  As part of the deal, the business will open around 50 stores with the JD fascia in United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt by 2028.
  The retailer said GMG had an “unparalleled understanding of the consumer in the Middle Eas
  
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• M&S rewards customers for donating used school uniforms

  03-07-2023 09:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  M&S is rewarding customers with money off children’s clothes when they donate used school uniforms, as part of its latest push to support families with the rising cost of living.
  The initiative is an extension to the retailer’s “shwopping” partnership with Oxfam and shoppers can receive 20% off selected kids’ ranges via the Sparks scheme for taking part.
  From today, dedicated “shwop” boxes have been set up in the kidswear departments of more than 200
  
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• Data: Retailer insolvencies hit new record amid cost-of-living crisis

  03-07-2023 08:39 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The number of retailers buckling under economic pressure has hit a new record as shoppers pull back on spending amid the cost-of-living crisis.
  Insolvencies in the sector surged 56% in the past year, the highest level in nearly a decade, according to figures from law firm RPC.
  Around 1,942 retailers went bust in 2022/23, up from 1,243 in 2021/22, beating pandemic levels when several retailers crumbled from the closure of the high street.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
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• M&S offers money off children’s clothes in exchange for used school uniforms

  03-07-2023 07:00
  
  Promotion is designed to help parents who are struggling to afford clothes amid cost of living crisisFamilies are being offered money off children’s clothes in Marks & Spencer if they donate school uniform hand-me-downs, as part of a push designed to help parents struggling to afford them amid the cost of living crisis.The second-hand uniform collected will be sold via Oxfam’s high street chain as well as via a new “back-to-school” eBay shop. The tie-up is an extensio
  
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• Tesco appoints Gerry Murphy as chair

  03-07-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Tesco has confirmed that Gerry Murphy will join its board and be appointed as its new chair on 1 September. Currently chair of Tate & Lyle... View Article
  
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• Superdrug appoints Chloe Carmichael as cost-of-living ambassador

  03-07-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Health and beauty retailer Superdrug has appointed deals expert and TV presenter Chloe Carmichael as its cost-of-living ambassador. Carmichael runs a 60,000 strong online community called... View Article
  
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• M&S launches pre-loved back-to-school uniform shop with Oxfam and eBay

  03-07-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Marks & Spencer is extending its long-standing Shwopping scheme with the roll-out of Shwop boxes for school uniforms in over 200 stores. The M&S Back-to-School Shwopping... View Article
  
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• John Lewis Partnership pushes ahead with plans to build and operate rental homes

  03-07-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The John Lewis Partnership is pressing ahead with plans to build and operate rental homes in areas where it has a local presence through Waitrose shops.... View Article
  
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• Footwear giant Deichmann opens at the Ashley Centre

  03-07-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Footwear retailer Deichmann has opened a new store at the Ashley Centre in Epsom. The launch of the 3,498 square foot shop follows a £400,000 investment... View Article
  
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• Crafters Companion appoints former Currys COO as CEO

  03-07-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Crafter’s Companion has appointed Mark Allsop as its new chief executive following an extensive search. Prior to joining the global craft retailer, he was chief operating... View Article
  
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• Breaking news: TRB join forces with the Retail Trust for a memorable partnership

  03-07-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Retail Bulletin is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with retail industry charity the Retail Trust for the highly anticipated People in Retail Awards (PIRA)... View Article
  
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