Retail news

• Crocs to launch cowboy boot design complete with spurs

  06-10-2023 18:18
  
  Company says the boots, available to buy from 23 October, have been widely requested by regular Crocs wearersFor all they have conquered, Crocs have rarely advanced far beyond the ankle. But that will change when the footwear company launches the Crocs classic cowboy boot this month.It said the boot “features a high shine croc-embossed texture and bold western-inspired stitching”. And it is “embellished with unique metallic Jibbitz charms and a first-of-its-kind spin-able spur
  
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• Are you an ex-John Lewis customer?

  06-10-2023 18:00
  The service culture that made the partnership famous has withered as its board pursues profits beyond retail
  
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• Very Group suppliers have credit insurance pulled

  06-10-2023 17:58 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Credit insurer Allianz Trade has pulled its cover for The Very Group’s suppliers following concerns about the retailer’s falling profits.
  Drapers reported that the decision to withdraw cover was down to macro-economic pressures as consumers reduced their discretionary spend.
  It comes as the retailer’s operating profit plunged 17% to £123.8m in the 39 weeks to 1 April 2023, down from £150.2m.
  Group sales remained flat at £1.6bn due to 2.5% dip in retail sales a
  
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• Indie companies worry as major labels intervene in vinyl and CD distribution

  06-10-2023 17:06
  
  Independent labels say their acts have missed out on chart positions because of Utopia’s distribution problems and now there are concerns about Sony and Universal backing the companyVinyl sales surged by 13.2% in the first nine months of 2023 compared with the same period last year, according to new statistics from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), fuelled by releases from Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift, Blur and Kylie Minogue. This 16th year of growth is made possible by the physical m
  
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• Ecommerce: China’s retail future lies in live video streaming

  06-10-2023 15:20
  Traditional ecommerce is struggling to hold on to its shoppers
  
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• Natura & Co sets final deadline for The Body Shop bids

  06-10-2023 13:43 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Body Shop owner has given interested parties until October 23 to submit their offers to buy the ethical beauty retailer.
  Retail Week reported that Morgan Stanley, which is managing the sale for Natura&Co, has set a final deadline to get the process moving.
  It comes as no formal offers were submitted for the retailer during the first round of non-binding bids, which expired on September 11.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
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• Aldi on a hiring spree for 1,500 extra staff ahead of Christmas

  06-10-2023 12:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi has kicked off its search to recruit 3,000 new store employees ahead of Christmas to help meet demand during the busy trading period.
  The supermarket said there was a variety of both temporary and permanent positions available, ranging from store assistants, managerial positions and cleaners.
  New employees will “help replenish stock and provide further assistance to customers during the busy Christmas season”.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
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• The Entertainer to hire 800 workers this festive period

  06-10-2023 12:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Entertainer is set to employ 800 new store staff this Christmas to help meet demand during the busy trading period.
  The toy retailer is offering contracts, which vary from 8 to 20 hours per week, for seasonal sales assistants and night stock assistants across its UK network.
  It said the roles are suitable for those seeking flexible shifts and extra income over the busy festive period.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
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• Morrisons kicks off search for 3,500 Christmas workers

  06-10-2023 11:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Morrisons has opened applications for 3,500 extra jobs this Christmas to work in its stores, food manufacturing sites and logistics operations over the busy festive season.
  The supermarket says there is a variety of flexible and temporary roles available in stores and sites across the UK, ranging from customer assistants to home delivery drivers and production and warehouse operatives for those who are “friendly and willing to help” .
  It also said that many of the team members who jo
  
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• Fatface profits triple as expansion strategy pays off

  06-10-2023 10:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Fatface profits have tripled as the retailer continues its investment into expanding its store estate and strengthening third-party partnerships.
  Tax profits for the fashion retailer skyrocketed 198% to £17.3m, up from £5.8m, in the 52 weeks to 27 May 2023.
  Sales jumped 15% to £282m, which the retailer attributed to all parts of the business performing “ahead of expectations”.
  UK stores sales jumped 15% on a like-for-like basis, returning to pre-pandemic levels.
  Dig
  
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• Frasers Group ups Boohoo stake to 13.4%

  06-10-2023 10:03 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Frasers Group has increased its stake in Boohoo once again as it continues to build on its “strategic investment” into the fashion retailer.
  Mike Ashley’s empire upped its shares in the retailer from 10.4% to 13.4% on Tuesday
  Frasers Group previously described the etailer as an “attractive proposition” due to its “laser focus on young female consumers”.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
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• Pandora raises growth targets as store investments sparkle

  06-10-2023 09:34 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Pandora has raised its growth targets as its investment in its brand, stores and people pay off.
  At a capital markets day, the jewellery giant said it had seen strong sales of its charms and lab-grown diamonds.
  As part of its ongoing Phoenix strategy, Pandora is now planning to scale up investments to accelerate revenue growth, particularly with regard to its brand and store network.
  This will include building its position as a full jewellery brand in the affordable luxury space.Subscribe to Ret
  
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• The Body Shop’s £500m valuation deters potential bidders

  06-10-2023 09:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Private equity firms interested snapping up The Body Shop are hesitating due to the high valuation set by its Brazilian owner Natura, for a potential sale.
  Retail Week reports that the cosmetic giant Natura & Co is holding out for between £400m and £500m for the ethical health and beauty retailer.
  Earlier this week Lloyds Pharmacy owner Aurelius Group joined Waterstones owner Elliott Advisors and private equity firm Epiris in the running to buy The Body Shop.
  It is unclear wheth
  
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• Sainsbury’s refutes Which? claims that it is priciest supermarket

  06-10-2023 09:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Sainsbury’s has slammed Which? after it named the grocer as the priciest supermarket for a big shop if you don’t use a loyalty card.The supermarket overtook Waitrose for the first time according to the consumer choice company’s monthly analysis, while Asda remained the cheapest non-discounter supermarket, coming in £33.52 cheaper than Sainsbury’s.
  Which? also compared the price of a basket of 39 items and found that Aldi was cheapest, with a total average cost
  
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• Sainsbury’s is priciest supermarket for a big shop, says Which?

  06-10-2023 09:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Which? has named Sainsbury’s as the priciest supermarket for a big shop if you don’t use a loyalty card.The supermarket overtook Waitrose for the first time in the consumer choice company’s monthly analysis, while Asda remained the cheapest non-discounter supermarket, coming in £33.52 cheaper than Sainsbury’s.
  Which? also compared the price of a basket of 39 items and found that Aldi was cheapest, with a total average cost of £67.72.
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• Watches and Jewellery: October

  06-10-2023 02:19
  
  Hong Kong pushes for top slot in vintage watch sales; Seiko help keep athletes on track; Only Watch solidifies its place in the industry; Austy Lee’s designs draw a bigger crowd; private museums add lustre to Asia’s jewellery
  
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• The Burberry Foundation partners with Save the Children to support young Ukrainians

  06-10-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Burberry Foundation is partnering with Save the Children to launch a new programme to support young people impacted by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Called... View Article
  
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• Seán McGirr appointed as creative director of Alexander McQueen

  06-10-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Kering has announced that Seán McGirr has been appointed as creative director of luxury fashion brand, Alexander McQueen. McGirr was previously head of ready-to-wear menswear and womenswear... View Article
  
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• Q&A: Simon Donoghue, head of retail at French Connection

  06-10-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Earlier this year, French Connection opened its first outlet store in six years at London’s Outlet Shopping at The O2. Here we catch up with Simon... View Article
  
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• Platforms race to take a slice of the vintage jewellery market

  06-10-2023 02:00
  
  Sector sees increased demand and a better-organised supply
  
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• Pandora raises growth targets

  06-10-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Jewellery brand Pandora has raised its growth targets after seeing strong sales of its charms and lab-grown diamonds. At a capital markets day, the company said... View Article
  
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• Morrisons launches search for 3,500 Christmas workers

  06-10-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Morrisons is seeking to recruit an additional 3,500 colleagues to work in its stores, food manufacturing sites and logistics operations over the busy Christmas period. The... View Article
  
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• Japanese appetite grows for more independent European brands

  06-10-2023 02:00
  
  The country has become the world’s second largest jewellery market, trailing only the US
  
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• Hong Kong vies with Geneva for global top spot in vintage watch sales

  06-10-2023 02:00
  
  Local auction houses report an increasingly affluent and younger audience as rare OAK collection heads to Asia
  
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• Glasgow’s Argyll Arcade: ‘If you make it here, you can make it anywhere’

  06-10-2023 02:00
  
  The UK’s only remaining thoroughfare dedicated solely to watches and jewellery helps the city keep its position as the top centre for retail spend outside London
  
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• FatFace celebrates ‘stellar’ year

  06-10-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  FatFace celebrated a remarkable year marked by substantial increases in revenue and profit, particularly driven by its flourishing North American market. Will Crumbie, the CEO of... View Article
  
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• Dobbies opens biggest ever store at The Junction, Antrim

  06-10-2023 02:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Dobbies has opened its biggest-ever garden centre store at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim. Spanning 110,000 square feet, the shop is Dobbies’ second... View Article
  
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