Retail news

• Adapting to change: Retail High Street regeneration ideas

  26-03-2024 18:45 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  As the deterioration of high streets and town centres has become obvious in recent years, it’s essential to explore some creative high street regeneration ideas that... View Article
  
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• Boots to offer Covid vaccines in England for nearly £100 a jab

  26-03-2024 16:41
  
  Pharmacy to offer Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to those not eligible for NHS booster shot from next weekBoots is to offer Covid vaccinations for almost £100 a shot, making it the latest provider to sell the jabs to those not eligible for a booster through the NHS.The company has confirmed it will offer the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to healthy customers in England aged 12 and over from next week, at a cost of £98.95 a jab. Continue reading...
  
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• Retail visionary and eco-activist Stuart Trevor joins PiRA24 judging panel

  26-03-2024 16:27 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  We’re thrilled to announce the latest addition to our esteemed judging panel for the People in Retail Awards—none other than the celebrated Stuart Trevor. With over... View Article
  
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• Asda faces third store strike over alleged ‘bullying management’

  26-03-2024 16:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda workers at its Lowestoft branch have voted to strike over “a litany of issues” in the store, according to GMB Union.
  Staff members at the supermarket are reportedly angry over a series of issues, including cuts in hours, poor quality training, and bullying management.
  The trade union claimed nearly 200 of its members were set to down tools after 87% voted for industrial action, on an 80% turnout, with strike dates set to be confirmed within the coming days.
  GMB said workers
  
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• Asda faces third store strike

  26-03-2024 16:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda workers at its Lowestoft branch have voted to strike over “a litany of issues” in the store, according to GMB Union.
  Staff members at the supermarket are reportedly angry over a series of issues, including cuts in hours, poor quality training, and bullying management.
  The trade union claimed nearly 200 of its members were set to down tools after 87% voted for industrial action, on an 80% turnout, with strike dates set to be confirmed within the coming days.
  GMB said workers
  
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• Visa and Mastercard agree $30bn settlement over US transaction fees

  26-03-2024 14:47 via ft.com
  Sellers will be able to charge different prices to consumers based on the card they use
  
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• Elemis to open first standalone store in London’s Covent Garden

  26-03-2024 13:15 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Elemis will open its first standalone store in London’s Covent Garden this spring.
  The skincare brand has signed a lease for a 1,000sq ft unit at 23 Monmouth Street following the success of its Cleansing Lab pop-up in Covent Garden’s Piazza last year.
  Elemis UK general manager Susan Harvey said: “Since Elemis’ inception over 30 years ago, we have garnered global renown and established ourselves as forerunners in providing premium skincare, and the launch of our new standa
  
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• Ocado Retail boss insists it is ‘absolutely aligned’ with M&S as payment talks continue

  26-03-2024 13:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Ocado Retail CEO Hannah Gibson has insisted that Ocado Group and M&S are “absolutely aligned,” despite the wrangling over the latter’s withheld final payment for the joint venture.
  Gibson confirmed this morning that “the conversations are ongoing” between Ocado Group and M&S over the payment but she insisted that it was not impacting day-to-day operations at the joint venture.
  “I know there’s been a lot of focus externally on our shareholders (Oc
  
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• Using a blended digital marketing approach to support your seasonal marketing

  26-03-2024 12:47 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Author: Tom Walkden, head of paid media, idhl performance Seasonal marketing is nothing new. But just because the concept isn’t necessarily shiny and cutting-edge doesn’t mean... View Article
  
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• Amazon hopes anti-obesity drug demand will boost pharmacy business

  26-03-2024 12:30 via ft.com
  Ecommerce giant says it stands to generate ‘a lot of revenue’ from Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and similar treatments
  
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• M&S launches nationwide search for next designer in new ITV show

  26-03-2024 12:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  M&S has kicked off a nationwide search for its next designer as it unveils the upcoming launch of its new competitive TV show.
  The ITV series, due to air in the Autumn, will document the search process from start to finish as 10 candidates compete to secure an in-house junior designer role at the fashion retailer.
  Spread over six episodes, the contestants will be set a series of briefs which will assess their design, problem-solving, commerciality and collaboration skills.
  M&S said each
  
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• Marks & Spencer launches nationwide search to find its next top designer

  26-03-2024 12:11 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Marks & Spencer is embarking on a nationwide search for its next designer through the launch of the ITV1 and ITVX series, M&S: Dress The Nation.... View Article
  
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• Boeing boss Dave Calhoun to step down; EU to investigate Alphabet, Apple and Meta – as it happened

  26-03-2024 11:27
  
  Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as Boeing chief executive departs after safety incidents including mid-air door blow-outThe government’s shareholding in NatWest Group has fallen below 30% for the first time since 2008, the bank has confirmed.The public’s stake in the group was last reported at 30.98% on 15 March.We welcome the government’s continued commitment to returning NatWest Group to private ownership. With the government shareholding n
  
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• Boots to offer Covid-19 vaccines from next week

  26-03-2024 10:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Boots will begin selling Covid-19 vaccines from next week as part of a private vaccination service.
  The single-dose Pfizer jab will be available at 50 of its stores from 1 April for £98.95, The Times reported.
  This will be the first time a Covid-19 vaccine will be available outside of the NHS since the government’s mass vaccination programme in December 2020.
  Boots will administer the vaccine to anyone aged 12 and over who does not qualify for the free booster jab under the NHS, with
  
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• Lidl to improve chicken welfare standards

  26-03-2024 10:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Lidl is to increase its animal welfare standards by increasing the space allocated to its own-label fresh chicken by 20% above the current industry standard.
  The transition, starting this summer with plans to finish by early 2025, will involve reducing the maximum stocking density to 30kg per square metre.
  Lidl claims the move will provide chickens with more space to roam, which “enables them to engage in natural behaviours like stretching their wings, dust bathing and exploring, bolsterin
  
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• Shoppers still struggling despite grocery price inflation falling to two-year low

  26-03-2024 09:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Almost a quarter of UK households see themselves as struggling financially despite grocery price inflation dropping to a new two-year low.
  Supermarket prices were 4.5% higher than a year ago in March, the lowest inflation rate since February 2022 and a significant fall from last month’s 5.3%, fresh data from Kantar shows.
  Among those feeling the most pressured, the firm said 78% are actively buying cheaper groceries while 68% are using promotions to help manage budgets, with £605m mo
  
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• Ocado the fastest growing retailer in March as voucher campaign pays off

  26-03-2024 09:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Ocado was the fastest growing retailer in Britain for the 12 weeks to 17 March as it reaped the rewards of a sustained voucher campaign which helped attract customers.
  The online grocer improved sales by 9.5%, ahead of the total online market which rose by 6.6%, to account for 1.9% of all take-home sales, fresh data from Kantar shows.
  The firm found that supermarket prices were 4.5% higher than a year ago in March, the lowest inflation rate since February 2022 and a significant fall from last mo
  
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• Data: Ocado the fastest growing retailer in March as voucher campaign pays off

  26-03-2024 09:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Ocado was the fastest growing retailer in Britain for the 12 weeks to 17 March as it reaped the rewards of a sustained voucher campaign which helped attract customers.
  The online grocer improved sales by 9.5%, ahead of the total online market which rose by 6.6%, to account for 1.9% of all take-home sales, fresh data from Kantar shows.
  The firm found that supermarket prices were 4.5% higher than a year ago in March, the lowest inflation rate since February 2022 and a significant fall from last mo
  
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• Ocado makes strong start to year

  26-03-2024 09:54 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Ocado Retail, the joint venture between Ocado and Marks & Spencer, has seen its retail revenue increase by 10.6% to £645.3 million in its first quarter.... View Article
  
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• Pets at Home backs full-year profit outlook

  26-03-2024 09:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Pets at Home expects its profits for the year to meet guidance and said it was “comfortable” with analyst forecasts for the year ahead.
  The pet specialist said trading during the fourth quarter was “broadly as expected” and group underlying pre-tax profits is expected to be £132m.
  It said it will end the year “in a net cash position”, after returning £100m to shareholders and incurring “£3m more non-underlying costs than previously
  
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• ASOS posts 18% fall in half year sales

  26-03-2024 09:25 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  ASOS  has reported an 18% fall in first half sales, although the online fashion retailer said its full-year guidance remains unchanged with a sales drop of... View Article
  
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• Soapbox competition offers Brands the ultimate launchpad with Landsec Partnership

  26-03-2024 09:23 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  In a move set to ignite the aspirations of retail and leisure brands across the UK, the Completely Retail Marketplace has joined forces with Landsec, for... View Article
  
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• Asos sales plunge 18% but it holds profit guidance

  26-03-2024 09:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asos boss José Antonio Ramos Calamonte is confident the retailer will meet its profit expectations despite it posting an 18% drop in first-half sales.
  The fast fashion retailer said it had made “good progress” against the second stage of its turnaround plan as it revealed its sales had continued to plummet in the 26 weeks to 3 March.
  However, it reassured investors this was “broadly in-line with guidance” following initiatives to improve profitability and &ldq
  
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• Asos backs profit guidance despite 18% sales drop

  26-03-2024 09:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asos boss José Antonio Ramos Calamonte is confident the retailer will meet its profit expectations despite it posting an 18% drop in first-half sales.
  The fast fashion retailer said it had made “good progress” against the second stage of its turnaround plan as it revealed its sales had continued to plummet in the 26 weeks to 3 March.
  It reassured investors this was “broadly in-line with guidance” following initiatives to improve profitability and “right-
  
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• UK grocery inflation drops to pre-Ukraine war level

  26-03-2024 09:01 via ft.com
  Kantar figures show food prices rose 4.5% this month, well below official peak of 19.2% in March 2023
  
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• UK food price inflation slows to 4.5% but many still struggling

  26-03-2024 09:00
  
  Waitrose and Ocado win new shoppers while a quarter of households are feeling the squeezeBusiness live – latest updatesGrocery price inflation in Great Britain has slowed to 4.5%, its lowest level since February 2022, but one in four households are still struggling financially, retail researchers have found.The upmarket retailers Waitrose and Ocado were the only grocers to win new shoppers in the past three months, according to the latest monthly figures from the analysts Kantar, as growth
  
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• UK food price inflation slows to 4.5% but many shoppers still struggling

  26-03-2024 09:00
  
  Waitrose and Ocado win new shoppers while a quarter of households are feeling the squeezeBusiness live – latest updatesGrocery price inflation in Great Britain has slowed to 4.5%, its lowest level since February 2022, but one in four households are still struggling financially, retail researchers have found.However, the figures also suggest a change in sentiment with upmarket retailers Waitrose and Ocado the only grocers to win new shoppers in the past three months, according to the latest
  
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• Ocado sales surge as it wins more customers

  26-03-2024 08:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Ocado first quarter sales have surged 10.6% thanks to an uptick in customer numbers as it continues its investment into strengthening its product offering.
  The online grocer’s revenue jumped to £645.3m in the 13 weeks to 3 March, up from £583.7m, as active shopper numbers rose 6.4% to over 1 million at the end of the period.
  Volumes increased 8.1% to £242.1m with average basket value up 2.1% at £125.47m.
  Ocado Retail chief executive Hannah Gibson said: “O
  
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• Pets at Home fourth quarter trading trends “broadly as expected”

  26-03-2024 08:52 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  In a pre-close trading update for the year to 28 March 2024, Pets at Home has said fourth quarter trading trends in its retail and veterinary... View Article
  
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• [Interview] A day in the life of… Ellie Jones, Trigwell Cosmetics

  26-03-2024 08:42 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Introducing Ellie Jones, the dedicated Operations Manager at Trigwell Cosmetics based in Cwmbrân, Wales. Ellie’s rapid ascent from an E-commerce Merchandiser to Lead Merchandiser and now... View Article
  
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• Holland & Barrett names CEO as it restructures leadership team

  26-03-2024 08:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Holland & Barrett has promoted its chief operating officer Anthony Houghton to be CEO for UK and Ireland as part of its company-wide restructure “to help further accelerate its growth and transformation strategy”.
  The health retailer has created three new divisions under its new operating model and has promoted leadership from within, Retail Week reported.
  Houghton will lead the retailer’s UK and Ireland business, while group chief commercial officer Alex Dower has been nam
  
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• Wickes promotes Sarah Taitt to role of chief property and services officer

  26-03-2024 08:03 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Wickes home improvement retailer has promoted Sarah Taitt to the newly created role of chief property and services officer. Before joining Wickes in 2022 as... View Article
  
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• Interview: How B&Q is building its marketplace into the home of DIY

  26-03-2024 07:58 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  It seems like every retailer is looking to launch a marketplace right now to expand their online reach and of course, boost sales.
  However, B&Q was one of the first to lead the pack when it unveiled an expanded choice of over 300,000 products from more than 400 verified sellers on its website diy.com in 2022.
  Now entering its third year, the marketplace has over 1.2m products from more than 1,000 sellers and represents 38% of the retailer’s total online sales – up from 13% in 202
  
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• Elemis selects Seven Dials for first standalone London store

  26-03-2024 07:41 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Beauty brand Elemis is to open its first London store at Covent Garden’s Seven Dials. The 1,000-square-foot unit at 23 Monmouth Street will be part of... View Article
  
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• French Connection returns to Guildford

  26-03-2024 07:08 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  French Connection has made a return to one of its original retail destinations with the opening of a new store in Guildford city centre. Situated at... View Article
  
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