Retail news

• Unveiling the 2024 Women to Watch in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail

  06-03-2024 21:48 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  WiHTL & Diversity in Retail, the Collaboration Community devoted to increasing DE&I in the Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail sectors have launched their annual Women to... View Article
  
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• ‘A cut-and-paste budget’: UK businesses attack lack of help from chancellor

  06-03-2024 19:36
  
  Hospitality trade says chancellor failed to help save sector with VAT cut, while travel industry laments air duty riseBudget: key points at a glanceThe chancellor has been accused of producing a “cut and paste” budget that fails to provide the tax changes needed to protect pubs and restaurants.UK Hospitality, the trade body for the sector, said Jeremy Hunt’s budget had done little to “bridge the sector through a difficult period”, and failed to reduce the escalating
  
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• ‘A cut and paste budget’ – UK businesses attack lack of help from chancellor

  06-03-2024 19:36
  
  Hospitality trade says chancellor failed to help save sector with VAT cut while travel industry laments air duty riseBudget: key points at a glanceThe chancellor has been accused of producing a “cut and paste” budget which fails to provide the tax changes needed to protect pubs and restaurants.UK Hospitality, the trade body for the sector, said Jeremy Hunt’s budget did little to “bridge the sector through a difficult period”, and failed to reduce the escalating cost
  
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• One rule for good employee relations | Brief letters

  06-03-2024 18:53
  
  Workplace motivation | Michelle Donelan | Weight loss | Jaw-force units | Radio 4James Timpson makes a powerful case for seeing his employees as “valuable human beings, not expendable units of production”, by asking them to follow only two rules: put the money in the till and look the part (Journal, 5 March). I was reminded of the customer-service-focused Nordstrom stores in the US, whose employee mantra is:“One rule: use good judgment in all situations.” Simple and effec
  
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• Discover the future of retail at Natural & Organic Products Expo

  06-03-2024 18:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Natural & Organic Products Expo (previously Natural & Organic Products Europe) is the one-stop destination for innovative products that are shaping the future of retail.
  Taking place at ExCeL London on 14th and 15th of April, visiting retailers will get a firsthand look at emerging trends in the thriving natural and organic food, drink, health and beauty industries, from over 500 exhibitors.
  From plant-based snacks to natural heath supplements, and organic skincare to sustainable cleanin
  
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• Aldi launches own-brand paper wine bottles in UK supermarket first

  06-03-2024 17:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi is launching two own-brand wines held in recyclable paper bottles, in partnership with sustainable packaging business Frugalpac.
  The Cambalala South African Shiraz and South African Sauvignon Blanc bottles will arrive in stores on Global Recycling Day, March 18, with the move believed to be a first for a UK supermarket.
  The bottles, which cost £7.99 each, are made from 94% recycled cardboard and lined with a food-grade pouch, making them roughly five times lighter than a normal glass
  
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• Retail reacts: Currys, New Look and Westfield bosses blast ‘deeply frustrating’ Spring Budget

  06-03-2024 16:24 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retail bosses have criticised Chancellor Jeremy Hunt for ignoring the industry’s calls for wider reform on business rates and apprenticeship levy rules in his Spring Budget announcement on Wednesday.
  Currys chief executive Alex Baldock branded the Budget “bitterly disappointing” after Hunt “yet again failed to address retailers’ business rates burden”.
  “It’s no wonder that more and more stores are having to close their doors when you look at all th
  
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• Retail reacts: Currys, Iceland and New Look bosses blast ‘deeply frustrating’ Spring Budget

  06-03-2024 16:24 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retail bosses have criticised Chancellor Jeremy Hunt for ignoring the industry’s calls for wider reform on business rates and apprenticeship levy rules in his Spring Budget announcement on Wednesday.
  Currys chief executive Alex Baldock branded the Budget “bitterly disappointing” after Hunt “yet again failed to address retailers’ business rates burden”.
  “It’s no wonder that more and more stores are having to close their doors when you look at all th
  
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• Exclusive: THG Ingenuity CEO resigns after 2 years

  06-03-2024 16:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  THG Ingenuity chief executive Vivek Ganotra has left the business after two years at the helm.
  With 20 years of digital commerce experience as a brand owner, Ganotra first joined the Manchester-based technology firm back in June 2022, leading a 4,000-strong division of the THG group.
  A spokesperson for the group confirmed the news, saying: “We thank him for his contribution to the business and wish him every success in his future career.”
  Speaking to Retail Gazette last year, Ganotra
  
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• Fixing Australia’s supermarkets: how to drive competition without wielding a hammer

  06-03-2024 15:00
  
  Short of breaking up Coles and Woolworths, retail experts call for regulation of wholesale supply deals and help for new entrants to access sites Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe Albanese government has ruled out breaking up Australia’s dominant supermarkets after likening such a measure to the old Soviet Union’s command and control economy.While the government’s position will disa
  
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• Asda faces second store strike amid slashed hours and alleged ‘bullying’ culture

  06-03-2024 13:17 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda is set to face a second strike after GMB members at its Wisbech store voted to strike over claims of reduced hours and a rise in “bullying management” culture.
  According to the trade union, the ballot, which saw more than 97% voting to walk out with a turnout of 87%, was also sparked over claims that workers are unhappy over what it describes as “poor” levels of training and support for their job roles, as well as health and safety issues being “ignored&rd
  
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• Shein UK breaches company law by failing to disclose human owner

  06-03-2024 12:43
  
  Breach could disrupt Shein’s reported plans to list in UK as firms are legally required to declare ‘person with significant control’• Business live – latest updatesThe UK business of the fast-fashion company Shein has failed to disclose its ultimate ownership, a breach of company law that could disrupt the firm’s reported plans to consider listing in the UK.UK companies are legally required to declare their ultimate human beneficial owner – their “p
  
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• Co-op gives store staff 10% pay rise in its ‘biggest ever investment into pay’

  06-03-2024 12:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Co-op is giving store colleagues a pay increase to at least £12 an hour as it brings hourly rates in line with the Real Living Wage.
  The convenience chain said the move represents its biggest ever investment into pay having bumped up rates for shop staff by over 20% in the last two years.
  From 1 April, Co-op Customer Team Members outside of London will receive a 10.1% increase in pay to £12.00 per hour and employees in London will see their hourly rate increase from £12.25 to &
  
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• Waitrose redirect 20 million meals combating food waste and supporting UK communities

  06-03-2024 12:06 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  In an ongoing collaboration with FareShare, a leading UK charity focused on fighting hunger and food waste, Waitrose has redirected the equivalent of twenty million meals’... View Article
  
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• Major retailers call for new two-port strategy for the UK

  06-03-2024 12:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Some of the UK’s fastest growing value retailers have joined major port operator Peel Ports Group to call for a new UK port of entry strategy... View Article
  
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• Dobbies expands own brand horticultural lines with 69 new products

  06-03-2024 11:57 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Garden Centre retailer Dobbies is introducing 69 new own brand product lines across horticultural categories this month including gardening tools, indoor grow lights and a diverse... View Article
  
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• Co-op announces over 10% pay rise for store colleagues

  06-03-2024 11:54 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Co-op has announced that it is to reward its frontline store colleagues with a pay increase to at least £12 per hour, in line with the... View Article
  
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• B&Q Pledges to fund more woman trade apprentices to tackle gender imbalance

  06-03-2024 11:49 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  DIY giant aims to bridge the gender gap in trade jobs by helping to identify and address the barriers and creating training opportunities for women. B&Q... View Article
  
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• Asos eyes India expansion under Reliance Retail partnership

  06-03-2024 11:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asos is thought to be in talks with Indian retail company Reliance Retail to bring the British fashion giant to the Indian market, reports have revealed.
  Sources said discussions between the two businesses have “been on for a while,” although an agreement has not yet been reached, according to India Retailing.
  India’s largest  retailer is expected to offer Asos products via its department store arm, Centro, and online at fashion and lifestyle brand Ajio, one source reporte
  
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• 8 retailers slashing jobs and cutting costs in 2024

  06-03-2024 11:19 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Despite 2024 only just starting, a host of retailers have wasted no time cutting jobs as part of various cost-saving measures.
  Last year, data from the Centre for Retail Research revealed that more than 120,000 jobs were lost in the retail sector as thousands of shops shuttered across the nation in retail’s worst year for store closures since 2008.
  Retail Gazette rounds up the retailers who have begun axing roles this year.
  The Body ShopFollowing its fall into administration last month, al
  
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• Boots staff told to return to office five days a week

  06-03-2024 11:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Boots has told all head office employees that it is reverting back to working in the office five days a week from 1 September.
  The health and beauty retailer said it wanted to make its offices in Nottingham, London and Weybridge a “normal place of work” for its employees.
  Managing director Seb James said in an email to staff this week: “In line with a majority of UK businesses, I want to start a thoughtful plan that gets us back to the office – whether Nottingham, London
  
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• B&Q faces store disruptions as warehouse workers vote on strike action, claims Usdaw

  06-03-2024 11:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  B&Q could face severe disruption at some of its stores after its warehouse workers voted for strike action in a dispute over pay.
  More than one hundred employees at a GXO distribution centre in Swindon, which is contracted by the DIY retailer, have voted to take industrial action.
  Shopworker union Usdaw said the vote was conducted after the company’s offer of 5.25% pay increase, with some investment in an attendance bonus and a damage bonus, was rejected.
  The union warned the strike ac
  
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• B&Q faces store disruptions as warehouse workers vote on strike action

  06-03-2024 11:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  B&Q is set to face severe disruption at some of its stores after its warehouse workers voted for strike action in a dispute over pay.
  More than one hundred employees at a GXO distribution centre in Swindon, which is contracted by the DIY retailer, have voted to take industrial action.
  Shopworker union Usdaw said the vote was conducted after the company’s offer of 5.25% pay increase, with some investment in an attendance bonus and a damage bonus, was rejected.
  The union warned the strik
  
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• Venipak Commerce debuts omnichannel E-wholesale and logistics solution in the Benelux Region

  06-03-2024 09:53 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Venipak Commerce will offer a new all-in-one service that bridges the gap between sales channels, warehousing, and distribution in the region’s rapidly expanding e-commerce sector. The... View Article
  
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• EG Group in talks with co-founder Zuber Issa to offload some UK assets

  06-03-2024 08:47 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  EG Group is in talks to sell some of its UK assets to co-founder Zuber Issa in what the petrol forecourt business told investors was an attempt to reduce its debt pile.
  The group – co-owned by Asda’s billionaire brother owners and private equity firm TDR Capital – told investors on Monday that it “continued to have active discussions” with Zuber about offloading some assets in the UK and Ireland and planned to strike a deal “in the near term”.
  “The
  
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• John Lewis to boost staff pay with record £116m investment

  06-03-2024 08:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  John Lewis Partnership is set to boost staff pay by 10% as part of a £116m investment.
  The business, which also owns Waitrose, is understood to confirm the record pay increase when it posts its full-year results next week, Retail Week reported.
  Effective April 1, the increase is expected to see minimum pay rates increase by 10% to £12.89 in London and £11.55 per hour nationwide.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
   Sign up here to get the latest news straight into you
  
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• John Lewis to boost staff pay with £116m investment

  06-03-2024 08:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  John Lewis Partnership is set to boost staff pay by 10% as part of a £116m investment.
  The business, which also owns Waitrose, is understood to confirm the record pay increase when it posts its full-year results next week, Retail Week reported.
  Effective April 1, the increase is expected to see minimum pay rates increase by 10% to £12.89 in London and £11.55 per hour nationwide.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
   Sign up here to get the latest news straight into you
  
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• H&M joins Northvolt backer and TPG to tackle fast fashion emissions

  06-03-2024 07:37 via ft.com
  
  World’s second-largest fashion retailer agrees to buy half of its recycled polyester supplies from new venture to revolutionise textile
  
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• H&M in venture with Northvolt backer and TPG to cut fast fashion emissions

  06-03-2024 07:37 via ft.com
  
  World’s second-largest fashion retailer agrees to buy half of its recycled polyester supplies from new venture to revolutionise textile
  
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• H&M and Northvolt investor fund startup to cut fashion industry emissions

  06-03-2024 07:37 via ft.com
  World’s second-largest fashion retailer agrees to buy half of its recycled polyester supplies from new venture to revolutionise textile
  
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• Comment: Disruption beyond technology

  06-03-2024 06:10 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  When I regularly attended horse racing meetings around the country I was once turned away from Ascot racecourse because my new dark trousers (upon close inspection)... View Article
  
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• Tesco makes record £300 million investment in store staff pay

  06-03-2024 06:04 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Tesco is making its biggest single investment in hourly staff pay by raising the base rate by 9.1%. Following an agreement with the Usdaw trade union,... View Article
  
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• Jigsaw appoints design director 

  06-03-2024 06:01 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Fashion retailer Jigsaw has appointed Julia Reimann to the newly created role of design director. Previously working as the retailer’s head of wovens designer, she joined... View Article
  
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• Marks & Spencer rolls out fully recyclable takeaway cups to all of its cafes

  06-03-2024 05:59 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Marks & Spencer will be rolling out its paper fibre takeaway coffee cups to all M&S Cafes from next month. In October, M&S Food became the first... View Article
  
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• N Brown launches new product information management system to reduce returns

  06-03-2024 05:58 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  N Brown Group, the parent company of Simply Be, JD Williams and Jacamo, has introduced a new Product Information Management system to enhance the customer experience... View Article
  
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• Interview: How Arc’teryx ascended to the top of streetwear’s dizzy heights

  06-03-2024 02:05 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The growing demand for luxury outerwear first started to take hold following the post-pandemic consumer shift towards wellness and healthy lifestyles.
  Now, the thirst for stylish technical gear from high-profile athleisure brands such as North Face, Lululemon, and Canada Goose shows no sign of slowing, with the blend of fashion and functionality making them equally suited for both adventures on the slopes and coffees on the high street.
  As one of the more high-end retailers to have benefitted fr
  
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• The mysterious rise of the Chinese ecommerce giant behind Temu

  06-03-2024 01:01 via ft.com
  Its finances are a black box and its operations shrouded in secrecy, but PDD’s extraordinary growth has made it a darling of Wall Street
  
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• The mysterious rise of the Chinese e-commerce giant behind Temu

  06-03-2024 01:01 via ft.com
  Its finances are a black box and its operations shrouded in secrecy, but PDD’s extraordinary growth has made it a darling of Wall Street
  
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• The rise of Pinduoduo and Temu: profits and secrets | FT Film

  06-03-2024 01:00 via ft.com
  
  Chinese e-commerce group PDD Holdings is taking on Amazon, but what do we really know about the company?
  
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