Retail news

• Asda faces strike vote in fifth supermarket

  26-02-2024 23:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda is facing a strike vote at a fifth supermarket as members of the GMB union at its Lowestoft store are set to be balloted.
  The union claimed that a consultative ballot of almost 200 of the union’s members working at the store revealed almost 90% were ready to strike, on a turnout of just below 80%.
  GMB said it would notify Asda this week of the impending ballot, with the vote set to start next week.
  It claimed staff were “angry” at a series of issues including “c
  
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• Largest-ever US supermarket merger faces block over fears of price hikes

  26-02-2024 19:09
  
  FTC argues Kroger’s $24.6bn takeover of Albertsons would narrow consumer choice and weaken quality of productsA top US antitrust watchdog sued to block the country’s largest-ever supermarket merger on Monday, alleging the deal would raise prices for millions of shoppers.The Federal Trade Commission argued that Kroger’s $24.6bn takeover of rival grocer Albertsons would narrow consumer choice and weaken the quality of products on shelves. Continue reading...
  
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• Ex-accounting watchdog head to join Frasers board in corporate governance push

  26-02-2024 18:25
  Retailer appoints Jon Thompson, who led the FRC during its bitter battle with the group
  
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• ‘Every package carries a hidden cost’: is it better for the environment to shop online or in-store?

  26-02-2024 15:00
  
  When it comes to reducing your clothes shopping’s carbon footprint, it might be tempting to abandon ecommerce for bricks-and-mortar retail. But the solution is not so simpleGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailPackages arrive at my house more than I’d like to admit. Whether they contain cosmetics, swimwear, T-shirts or socks, the sight of a brown cardboard box makes me feel two things: excitement for the new thing and guilt over its environmental impacts.Often the packaging fee
  
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• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Retail Trends in 2024

  26-02-2024 14:22 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Shaping the Future of Retail: Six Key DE&I Trends for 2024 In an industry as resilient and people-focused as retail, the progression towards Diversity, Equity, and... View Article
  
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• Getir’s partnership with Nisa leads to £30,000 charity donation

  26-02-2024 14:20 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Getir, the pioneer of ultrafast grocery delivery, has donated £30,000 to London’s Community Kitchen (LCK) thanks to its long-standing partnership with Nisa. Funds were raised from... View Article
  
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• Asda Lowestoft workers poised for strike amid unresolved safety concerns and workplace grievances

  26-02-2024 14:14 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Workers at Asda’s Lowestoft store are on the brink of industrial action, driven by a confluence of grievances that underscore a deep-seated dissatisfaction with their current... View Article
  
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• Top tips for entering the JEDI Award 2024

  26-02-2024 13:51 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Are you ready to showcase your commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the retail sector? Consider entering the 2024 Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Award... View Article
  
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• Superdry settles trademark case against Dryrobe

  26-02-2024 13:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Superdry has settled its dispute against outdoor retailer Dryrobe over an alleged trademark infringement of the font used in the brand’s logo.
  Dryrobe has agreed to “cease use of the [stylised Dryrobe sign] or any marks which contain the element ‘dry’ depicted using any member of the Helvetica family of fonts both on product and across all point of sale and digital materials”, as well as not to order more stock featuring the sign.
  Superdry said in a statement it was
  
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• Red Sea attacks disrupt shipping for over 50% of UK retailers

  26-02-2024 13:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Over half of retailers and exporters in the UK have been impacted by the Red Sea attacks disruption, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has indicated.
  The business lobby group found the cost of shipping a container from Asia to Europe has risen by up to 300% for some companies.
  Meanwhile, logistical delays have also resulted in up to three to four weeks being added to delivery times.
  Participants in the BCC survey of over 1,000 companies said the delays were creating knock-on effects, includ
  
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• Charges for loo roll, none for caviar: strange quirks of the UK’s VAT rules

  26-02-2024 11:30
  
  The tax often goes unnoticed by shoppers. But what is charged, and on what, throws up curious anomaliesIs a mini poppadom a crisp? Is a Jaffa Cake a biscuit? Is a flapjack confectionery? These are all questions tax officials in the UK have had to wrestle with in the 51 years since VAT was introduced.The tax, which you pay when you buy goods and services, is charged at three rates: the standard 20%; 5% on child car seats, home energy and some other items; and 0%, which applies to most food, child
  
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• Why Retail Company Culture Matters in Retail HR

  26-02-2024 10:43 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  In retail, fostering a strong corporate culture isn’t just about creating a pleasant work environment; it’s a crucial factor in sustainable growth and success. If a... View Article
  
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• Watch: B&Q marks 40 years of ‘You Can Do It’ in new ad campaign

  26-02-2024 10:39 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  B&Q has unveiled its latest ad campaign which puts a spotlight back on its 40-year-old ‘You Can Do It’ slogan.
  The DIY retailer’s new advertising campaign, which launched on TV and social media, looks to encourage consumers to take on neglected DIY jobs in their homes.
  The 60-second clip puts a playful-spin on various scenarios of people standing in front of their next project, such as a woman with a sledgehammer ready to knock down a wall or a guy sitting on the floor read
  
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• Frasers bolsters board with new executive directors

  26-02-2024 10:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Frasers Group has bolstered its board by appointing four new executive directors, as it pushes on with its elevation strategy.
  Current chief operating officer David Al-Mudallal and managing director for sports, Ger Wright join the board.
  Al-Mudallal was hired as the company’s chief operating officer in August 2021, while Wright has served as managing director for sports since 2022.
  Frasers has also hired global CEO of Sergio Rossi Helen Wright as non-executive director of the business, who
  
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• Frasers beefs up board with new hires

  26-02-2024 10:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Frasers Group has bolstered its board as two of its senior leaders take a seat around the table, along with two new external hires.
  Current chief operating officer David Al-Mudallal and managing director for sports, Ger Wright take a seat on the board.
  Frasers has also hired global CEO of Sergio Rossi Helen Wright and intends to appoint former Financial Reporting Council CEO Sir Jon Thompson as non-executive director.
  Thompson is expected to be appointed later in the year when his current c
  
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• Frasers Group strengthens board with range of new appointments

  26-02-2024 09:15 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Sports Direct owner Frasers Group is making a host of new appointments to its board as it continues to implement its long-term growth and Elevation Strategy.... View Article
  
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• Prince Andrew’s ex-secretary plots JD.com takeover bid for Currys

  26-02-2024 09:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The former private secretary for Prince Andrew, Amanda Thirsk, is working on Chinese retail giant JD.com’s potential bid for Currys.
  Thirsk, who stepped down as Prince Andrew’s private secretary in 2020, is currently working in a senior business development role at JD.com, according to Sky News.
  The former aide is thought to have been working with the ecommerce behemoth for much of the time since leaving the palace.
  Thirsk also stepped down as chief executive of the prince&rsquo
  
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• Subscriptions drained my elderly mother’s savings

  26-02-2024 09:00
  
  Signing up with mail order companies meant money was taken from her account every monthMy 85-year-old mother has had her savings drained after signing up for continuous card payments to mail order companies Easylife and Premier Offers Direct. Every month £89 and £19.99 were debited for subscriptions to lifestyle magazines. In October, £350 was taken in seven transactions, several on the same day.Continue reading...
  
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• John Lewis customer service staff hit with redundancies

  26-02-2024 08:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Hundreds of customer service employees at John Lewis are facing job losses as the business reduces the number of people it contracts from customer service company Foundever.
  Foundever manages the majority of the retailer’s customer service and has served as its partner for the last 17 years, according to The Telegraph.
  The department store company’s team consists of over 1,000 staff and is shrinking by approximately 200 workers.
  John Lewis claimed it was looking for jobs for affected
  
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• Next mulls rescue bid for The Body Shop

  26-02-2024 08:24 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Next is understood to have approached administrators to The Body shop about a potential deal to buy parts of the business. According to a report by... View Article
  
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• PiRA Judge Interview: Penny Grivea

  26-02-2024 08:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Meet Penny Grivea, a champion of excellence and empowerment in Retail. We are thrilled to welcome Penny Grivea, an beloved and influential leader renowned for her... View Article
  
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• Lululemon to upsize and relocate within The Yards, Covent Garden

  26-02-2024 07:59 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Lululemon will be relocating and upsizing its flagship store within The Yards, Covent Garden to a new prominent corner unit in the shopping district on Long... View Article
  
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• Sainsbury’s makes it easy to buy the Best of British

  26-02-2024 07:42 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Sainsbury’s has launched a dedicated ‘Best of British’ page on its groceries website. The biggest supermarket to date to do so, Sainsbury’ has introduced a new... View Article
  
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• TUC boss and retail chief call for action on wealthy tax dodgers

  26-02-2024 07:00
  
  Paul Nowak and Julian Richer say taxes of up to £36bn a year are owed by companies and individualsThe head of Britain’s trade union movement and the boss of a leading retailer have joined forces to demand the government takes tougher action to catch wealthy tax dodgers.Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), and Julian Richer, founder of the Richer Sounds hi-fi chain, said the public were losing out on up to £36bn a year in taxes owed by companies and
  
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• Linnworks partners with Virtualstock to increase visibility and automation across ecommerce channels

  26-02-2024 01:48 via theretailbulletin.com
  
   Linnworks, a leading inventory management system (“IMS”), order management system (“OMS”) and warehouse management system (“WMS”) solutions provider and recently announced Connected CommerceOps platform, is pleased... View Article
  
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