Retail news

• More than 1,300 jobs to go as Wilko axes 52 stores

  05-09-2023 18:01
  
  Closed branches to be named tomorrow as administrators try to save majority of jobs and shopsMore than 50 Wilko stores are to shutand more than 1,300 jobs lost, as administrators continue to hold talks over a deal that would save most of the stricken retailer’s outlets and employees.PwC confirmed that 52 Wilko stores will be closed with the loss of 1,016 jobs. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• More than 1,300 jobs to go as 52 Wilko stores shut down

  05-09-2023 18:01
  
  Doomed branches to be named tomorrow as administrators try to save majority of jobs and shopsMore than 50 Wilko stores are to shut, with more than 1,300 jobs being lost, as administrators continue to hold talks over a deal that would save most of the stricken retailer’s outlets and employees.PwC confirmed that 52 Wilko stores will be closed with the loss of 1,016 jobs. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Wilko to close 52 stores as it makes 1,300 redundancies

  05-09-2023 17:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Wilko is to close 52 stores and make more than 1,300 staff redundant as talks continue with potential buyers for the remainder of the business.
  Administrator PwC said it was “actively working with potential buyers”, however the 52 stores set to close “do not form part of any ongoing interest in the Wilko store portfolio”.
  Some 1,016 workers are based in the stores impacted, which will close between Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 September, with a further 299 staff set to be m
  
  Read more

• BREAKING: Wilko to close 52 stores as it makes 1,300 redundancies

  05-09-2023 17:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Wilko is to close 52 stores and make more than 1,300 staff redundant as talks continue with potential buyers for the remainder of the business.
  The news come as B&M snapped up 51 stores from the collapsed retailer for £13m this morning.
  Administrator PwC said it was “actively working with potential buyers”, however the 52 stores set to close “do not form part of any ongoing interest in the Wilko store portfolio”.
  Some 1,016 workers are based in the stores i
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Oil hits $90 per barrel as Saudi Arabia and Russia extend production cuts; UK business activity falls – as it happened

  05-09-2023 17:10
  
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Brent crude hits its highest level of 2023Wilko: B&M strikes deal to buy 51 stores for up to £13mRetailers look on sunny side as holidaymakers splash outShares have opened lower in London, as the slowdown in China’s service sector worries investors.The blue-chip FTSE 100 index is down 56 points, or 0.75%, at 7397 points this morning.Sentiment has turned downbeat again on China as fresh brushstrokes are painted on the
  
  Read more

• Oil hits $90 per barrel as Saudi Arabia and Russia extend production cuts; UK business activity falls – business live

  05-09-2023 15:44
  
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as UK purchasing managers report slowdown in activity last monthWilko: B&M strikes deal to buy 51 stores for up to £13mRetailers look on sunny side as holidaymakers splash outShares have opened lower in London, as the slowdown in China’s service sector worries investors.The blue-chip FTSE 100 index is down 56 points, or 0.75%, at 7397 points this morning.Sentiment has turned downbeat again on China as fresh brushstrokes
  
  Read more

• Asda chair: staff will not be given body cameras despite rise in theft

  05-09-2023 15:41 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda chairman Lord Stuart Rose has said workers will not be offered body cameras, despite an increase in retail thefts.
  Speaking to LBC’s Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, the executive explained the supermarket didn’t use body cameras unilaterally.
  “I don’t really want to get to a world where… you sit down and everybody’s photographing everybody else for whatever action they take” he said.
  However, he admitted: “we do have to be careful about how our st
  
  Read more

• Sienna Miller to star in UK television ad as new face of Marks & Spencer

  05-09-2023 15:13
  
  M&S hopes actor will help it reclaim position as leader in British fashion Sienna Miller is to star in a television ad as the new face of Marks & Spencer.Miller eats chips in a baseball cap (price tag: £12.50) from a hotel room service trolley, reads a London fashion week report in a broadsheet newspaper, and makes a grand exit via a marble staircase wearing head-to-toe lime green (the shawl-sized scarf is £17.50). Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• John Lewis names ex-River Island CEO as non-executive director

  05-09-2023 15:10 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  John Lewis Partnership has brought former River Island chief executive Will Kernan on as a non-executive director of the partnership board, effective from 12 September 2023.
  Kernan succeeds Nish Kankiwala, who took on the role of the partnership‘s first-ever chief executive officer back in March, after serving as a non-executive director on the Partnership board for two years.
  With a wealth of experience in the retail industry, Kernan has held several leadership positions, most recently se
  
  Read more

• Another round of Toast: fashion firm chief on its plans to embrace repairs and secondhand sales

  05-09-2023 15:00
  
  Suzie de Rohan Willner says her brand’s customers are concerned about ethical production and trust it to ‘do the right thing’Dressed in soft indigo chambray trousers and sporting a sharp haircut, cool specs and relaxed but enthusiastic demeanour, Suzie de Rohan Willner is a living embodiment of Toast, the clothing brand she leads.Tanned from days in her Buckinghamshire garden and walking her dog Boots, she is leaning forward over a coffee at a north London restaurant, which is
  
  Read more

• Wilko break-up begins with 1,300 more job losses

  05-09-2023 12:46
  Rival discounter B&M to acquire 51 stores but a similar number will close next week
  
  Read more

• B&M agrees to buy 51 Wilko stores from UK retailer’s administrators

  05-09-2023 12:46
  Rival discounter to acquire chunk of 400-strong portfolio
  
  Read more

• Superdry shares hit record low following annual loss

  05-09-2023 12:25 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Superdry shares have plummeted to a record low following the brand’s recent plunge into the red.
  The fashion retailer’s shares dropped around a fifth to 43p during one point on Monday, marking its lowest ever point since first floating on the market in 2010.
  The brand’s shares were temporarily suspended back in August as the retailer delayed its full-year results.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
  Sign up here to get the latest news straight into your inbox each mor
  
  Read more

• Retail sales bounce back in August as consumer confidence rises

  05-09-2023 12:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retail sales in the UK soared over 4% in August up from 1% the same time last year thanks to improved consumer confidence, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reports.
  The trade association revealed this made it in line with the 12 months average rise of 4.1% and higher than the 3 month average of 3.6%.
  Both food sales and in-store non-food sales jumped on a total basis over the three months to August.
  Despite this rise, BRC found non-food sales dropped 0.2% on a total basis during the same peri
  
  Read more

• UK business activity falls for the first time since January; B&M buys up to 51 Wilko stores – business live

  05-09-2023 11:31
  
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsChina’s share of Europe’s electric car market accelerates as UK leads salesRetailers look on sunny side as holidaymakers splash outShares have opened lower in London, as the slowdown in China’s service sector worries investors.The blue-chip FTSE 100 index is down 56 points, or 0.75%, at 7397 points this morning.Sentiment has turned downbeat again on China as fresh brushstrokes are painted on the picture of its slowing ec
  
  Read more

• Wilko: B&M strikes deal to buy 51 stores for up to £13m

  05-09-2023 11:16
  
  Poundland, Home Bargains and The Range also in talks to snap up some of stricken retailer’s outletsBusiness live – latest updatesThe discount chain B&M has struck a deal to buy 51 Wilko stores for up to £13m as the stricken retailer’s administrators rush to seal last-minute deals with the fate of thousands of jobs hanging in the balance.B&M, one of the UK’s most successful discount retailers with a market value of £5bn and 1,100 outlets nationwide and
  
  Read more

• UK business activity falls for the first time since January; shoppers hit by ‘skimpflation’ – business live

  05-09-2023 10:49
  
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsChina’s share of Europe’s electric car market accelerates as UK leads salesRetailers look on sunny side as holidaymakers splash outShares have opened lower in London, as the slowdown in China’s service sector worries investors.The blue-chip FTSE 100 index is down 56 points, or 0.75%, at 7397 points this morning.Sentiment has turned downbeat again on China as fresh brushstrokes are painted on the picture of its slowing ec
  
  Read more

• Wilko: B&M on the verge of securing 50 stores amid HMV rescue deal setback

  05-09-2023 10:41 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  B&M is on the verge of securing numerous Wilko stores, as the prospects of a more extensive rescue agreement involving the owner of HMV fades.
  According to Sky News, B&M could reveal the acquisition of approximately 50 Wilko outlets as early as Tuesday morning with industry insiders suggesting that PwC are on the verge of announcing the initial closures within its property portfolio.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
  Sign up here to get the latest news straight into your inbo
  
  Read more

• B&M buys 51 Wilko stores as HMV rescue deal falters

  05-09-2023 10:41 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  B&M has snapped up 51 Wilko stores as HMV owner Doug Putman’s bid to buy the majority of its shops falters.
  The discount retailer paid £13m for the stores, and it does not expect to need regulatory clearances for the acquisition.
  The B&M deal come as Putman faced resistance from Gordon Brothers to finance his proposed acquisition of 300 stores, according to Sky News.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
  Sign up here to get the latest news straight into your inbox eac
  
  Read more

• In pictures: Intimissimi reopens ‘much-improved’ Bond Street store

  05-09-2023 09:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Intimissimi has reopened its Bond Street store which features a “a much-improved look and product offering than before.”
  Mirroring the Intimssimi flagship store, located next to the Oxford Circus roundabout, the store near Bond Street underground station has been upgraded to include a wide selections of menswear fashion and undergarment products via Intimissimi Uomo (Intimissimi and Calzedonia sister brand).The new store is now split between three floors, where in addition to Intimis
  
  Read more

• Wilko rescue in jeopardy as potential HMV deal hits hurdle

  05-09-2023 09:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The majority of Wilko’s stores potentially being saved by HMV’s owner are now facing uncertainty due to challenges arising with certain big suppliers.
  According to sources, weekend negotiations involving Canadian entrepreneur Doug Putman, who acquired HMV in 2019, had run into problems.
  The news creates further unwelcome uncertainty for the collapsed discount retailer’s staff who have been worried about their future since the chain fell into administration last month. Subs
  
  Read more

• Wilko: HMV rescue deal hits hurdle as big suppliers demand debts paid

  05-09-2023 09:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  HMV owner Doug Putman’s Wilko rescue deal is under threat as big suppliers have demanded their debt is repaid before supply lines are opened to the retailer.
  Sources told The Sun that the likes of Unilever and Procter & Gamble have also demanded upfront payment from Wilko to guarantee supply.
  Concerns were raised over the weekend whether certain suppliers who had ceased shipping goods to Wilko’s stores might not be able to resume product shipments for another six weeks.
  The news
  
  Read more

• Retail media: How retailers are becoming advertising giants

  05-09-2023 09:24 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Shoppers browsing their favourite websites, from Argos to Amazon, may be bombarded with a raft of deals, however some may be more prominent than others.
  The positioning of product listings is just one way brands are working with retailers to advertise to the huge audience that many shopping websites attract.
  With millions of visitors each month – the UK’s most visited site Amazon gets 286m hits a month, according to SEM Rush – it’s no surprise why brands are trying to rea
  
  Read more

• UK car sales rise for 13th month running; shoppers hit by ‘skimpflation’ – business live

  05-09-2023 09:04
  
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsChina’s share of Europe’s electric car market accelerates as UK leads salesRetailers look on sunny side as holidaymakers splash outSpeaking of banks….More than one in eight UK bank branches that were open at the start of 2023 will have closed by December, the Financial Times reports this morning.This means that almost three-fifths of the network will have vanished since 2015, making banking harder for customers in more
  
  Read more

• Lidl opens its largest warehouse in the world in £300m investment

  05-09-2023 08:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Lidl has opened its largest Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) in the world as the German discount giant continues to strengthen its infrastructure to cater for growing customer numbers across the UK.
  The £300m 1.2m sq ft RDC, which is half a kilometre in length and could fit three of Lidl’s existing warehouses inside, located in Houghton Regis, Luton, will be delivering over 9,400 pallets a day across 150 stores.
  Compared toits existing distribution centres, which service between ap
  
  Read more

• Lidl opens its largest warehouse in £300m investment

  05-09-2023 08:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Lidl has opened its largest Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) globally as the German discount giant continues to strengthen its infrastructure to cater for growing customer volumes across the UK.
  The £300m 1.2m sq ft RDC, which is half a kilometre in length and could fit three of Lidl’s existing warehouses inside, located in Houghton Regis, Luton, will be delivering over 9,400 pallets a day across 150 stores.
  In comparison, Lidl’s existing distribution centres can service betw
  
  Read more

• Not dead yet: Why the UK high street needs a reinvention to stay relevant 

  05-09-2023 08:38 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The future of the high street has been a source of debate and column inches for years but never has the bricks-and-mortar model been put under more strain than during the Covid-19 pandemic, when retailers were forced to shut, and then totally reimagine how they serve shoppers.  
  Kelly Askew, Accenture
  Since then, the sector has staged an impressive recovery, but it continues to weather a challenging macroeconomic backdrop, thanks to high inflation and a cost-of-living crisis that has c
  
  Read more

• M&S locks prices on over 140 lines and drops price on key food staples

  05-09-2023 08:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  M&S has price locked over 140 lines until after Christmas and dropped price on on key Remarksable lines like cheese and butter as it continue to invest in value for customers.
  Alongside this, the retailer’s latest farm to foodhall advert with Tom Kerridge has rolled out on screens this week which showcases M&S dairy farmers and the lengths they go to produce M&S products like our RSPCA assured fresh milk.Marks & Spencer is the only retailer with 100% RSPCA assured milk and
  
  Read more

• Wilko: B&M snaps up 51 stores for £13m

  05-09-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  B&M has confirmed that it will buy 51 Wilko stores for £13m following the highstreet stores collapse. The rival discount chain, which has over 700 sites... View Article
  
  Read more

• SHEIN & Klarna announce ‘In Pink We Trust’ UK tour

  05-09-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  SHEIN and Klarna have announced an immersive ‘In Pink We Trust’ road tour to launch this September. Stopping off at key shopping destinations across the country... View Article
  
  Read more

• Sainsbury’s invests an additional £6m in its dairy farmers

  05-09-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Dairy farmers supplying Sainsbury’s with milk will be paid more from next month thanks to a £6m annual investment made by the retailer to support farms... View Article
  
  Read more

• Rapha appoints Robert Lee as chief creative officer

  05-09-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Cycling clothing brand Rapha has appointed Robert Lee as chief creative officer. With over two decades of experience in the athletic sector, Lee began his career... View Article
  
  Read more

• Morrisons launches new deals for More Card customers

  05-09-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Morrisons is helping its customers stock up, budget and bank extra loyalty card points with the launch of ‘More Month’. The supermarket said More Card customers... View Article
  
  Read more

• Marks & Spencer builds beauty offering with addition of Estée Lauder Fragrance

  05-09-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Marks & Spencer has strengthened its beauty offering with the addition of Estée Lauder Fragrance. From next month, over 30 of the beauty brand’s fragrances will... View Article
  
  Read more

• Lidl opens its largest warehouse in the world in Luton

  05-09-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Lidl has opened its largest warehouse in the world in Luton following a £300 million investment. Spanning 1.2 million square feet, the regional distribution centre in... View Article
  
  Read more

• Hobbycraft launches new app with Hobbycraft Club

  05-09-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Hobbycraft has announced the launch of a new mobile app, providing customers with access to product and project offerings as well as exclusive discounts and craft... View Article
  
  Read more

• HelloFresh signs Armed Forces Covenant to support civilian employment of veterans

  05-09-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  HelloFresh has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, reinforcing the company’s commitment to fair treatment of veterans, reservists, and their families. The Covenant, created in 2000 by... View Article
  
  Read more

• Carvela steps up retail presence by joining Outlet Shopping at The O2

  05-09-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Premium footwear brand Carvela has joined the line-up at Outlet Shopping at The O2. The news marks the first opening since The O2’s revision of its... View Article
  
  Read more

• Brits look to gift meaningfully in the face of cost-of-living pressures

  05-09-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  New research launched today by eBay Ads UK reveals Brits are seeking value for money above all in their Christmas shopping experience this year, with thoughtful... View Article
  
  Read more

• UK consumer spending ‘rebounds’ in August

  05-09-2023 01:01
  Retail sales rise at annual rate of 4.1% after boost from holiday purchases, according to BRC figures
  
  Read more

• Retailers look on sunny side as holidaymakers splash out

  05-09-2023 01:01
  
  Sales of health and beauty products help high street stores bounce back after a disappointing start to the summerBritain’s retailers have received a boost from consumers making themselves beach-ready by increasing their spending on skincare and makeup before their summer holidays, despite the cost of living crisis.The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said sales of health and beauty products helped drive up spending on the high street as shoppers made the most of brief spells of sunshine in
  
  Read more

Follow @retailuknws on Twitter!