Retail news

• National police unit opens training to tackle organised retail crime

  03-04-2024 16:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  A new team within the national policing’s intelligence unit, Opal, will soon begin gathering and analysing information about organised retail crime groups as part of the government’s plan to combat shoplifting.
  Funded by the recently established Pegasus partnership, the team is implementing training programs for retailers and police forces. These initiatives aim to guide them how to refer intelligence effectively which can then be analysed and explored on a national scale.
  The virtua
  
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• Dobbies hires former Costa Coffee CMO as new marketing boss

  03-04-2024 15:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Dobbies has named Phil Thomas as its new chief marketing officer.
  In his new position, Thomas will be responsible for all of the garden chain’s customer and marketing activity to create engaging communication and customer experiences.
  This will involve heading up the teams responsible for all marketing activity and brand innovation, including developing the in-store and digital customer experiences, as well as ongoing seasonal campaigns and events.
  He will also lead both internal and exter
  
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• Moss trials AI virtual try-on technology

  03-04-2024 14:56 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Moss (previously known as Moss Bros) is piloting an advanced virtual try-on tool on its website, enabling shoppers to see themselves on the screen in various outfits.
  The formalwear retailer has teamed up with Anthropics Technology to add its virtual try-on plug-in feature, Zyler to moss.co.uk.
  Zyler, which has previously been used by John Lewis for its rental offering, allows shoppers to upload a headshot and sizing information to create a lifelike representation, so they can try various c
  
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• Lazari’s Fenwick department store redevelopment plans gets green light

  03-04-2024 13:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Westminster City Council has approved the redevelopment plans of the former Fenwick department on London’s New Bond Street.
  Fenwick moved out of the building in February after it sold its 130-year old central London store to investors Lazari for £430m late last year.
  The former flagship building will be partially demolished and reconfigured with five other buildings at the intersection of New Bond Street and Brook Street.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
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• Superdrug to cover VAT on own-brand suncare

  03-04-2024 13:03 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Superdrug has confirmed it is covering the cost of VAT on its Solait range for a second year in a bid to make suncare more accessible to consumers.
  The beauty and health retailer has implemented a 20% reduction (the price of VAT) across its full range, totalling an investment of £1m.
  Superdrug said it was covering the tax as it believes the category should be deemed a healthcare essential and not a beauty product.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
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• Greetings card retailers urge Ofcom to drop a midweek post day over Saturday deliveries

  03-04-2024 12:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Greetings card retailers have suggested to the communications industry regulator that it scraps a midweek delivery day instead of Saturday if it must reduce the UK’s letter service.
  The Greeting Card Association (GCA) told Ofcom that stopping the delivery of standard letters on Tuesday or Wednesday would be less damaging than its original plan to axe weekend deliveries.
  It comes in response to Ofcom’s consultation on long-awaited proposals for industry reforms published at the start
  
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• Greetings card retailers: Drop a midweek post day over Saturday deliveries

  03-04-2024 12:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Greetings card retailers have suggested to the communications industry regulator that it scraps a midweek delivery day instead of Saturday if it must reduce the UK’s letter service.
  The Greeting Card Association (GCA) told Ofcom that stopping the delivery of standard letters on Tuesday or Wednesday would be less damaging than its original plan to axe weekend deliveries.
  It comes in response to Ofcom’s consultation on long-awaited proposals for industry reforms published at the start
  
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• Secret Sales snaps up German etailer Dress-for-less

  03-04-2024 12:20 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Secret Sales has acquired German online retailer Dress-for-less as the brand looks to expand its presence in Europe.
  The premium non-full price marketplace said the move marks a “natural step” in its merger and acquisition strategy and solidifies it as “one of the most formidable discount retailers in Europe”.
  Dress-for-less, which reported £100m in sales last year, counts brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Marc O’Polo as part of its product portf
  
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• Dobbies appoints Phil Thomas as chief marketing officer

  03-04-2024 12:18 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Dobbies garden centre chain has appointed Phil Thomas as chief marketing officer. With over 30 years’ experience in marketing, Thomas has been the chief marketing... View Article
  
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• Zara to ‘significantly expand’ Liverpool ONE flagship

  03-04-2024 12:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Zara is set to significantly expand its flagship store at Liverpool ONE which will open later this year.
  The fashion giant’s store on South John Street will be undertaking a “substantial refurbishment and expansion”, covering 42,000 sq ft, up from 27,000 sq ft, to allow for an increased offer of menswear, womenswear and kids wear.
  The revamp will also include new in-store technologies, such as self-service areas and online order collection points.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for
  
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• Secret Sales acquires Dress for Less

  03-04-2024 11:47 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Secret Sales, the marketplace for off-price retail, has acquired German online retailer Dress for Less as part of its international expansion strategy. Specialising in discount fashion... View Article
  
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• Mytheresa mulls bid for Yoox Net-a-Porter

  03-04-2024 11:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Luxury etailer Mytheresa is among a group of potential suitors looking to snap up lossmaking Yoox Net-a-Porter from Richemont.
  Private equity firms Bain Capital and Permira are also understood to be considering offers, The Financial Times reported.
  The sale, which is being run by Goldman Sachs, comes after Richemont’s deal with Farfetch fell through when the retailer faced its own financial issues last year.Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
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• Topps Tiles sales hit by weaker demand

  03-04-2024 09:51 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Topps Tiles has posted a 5.9% drop in first-half sales to £122.6 million as homeowners continue to delay major home improvement projects. In the 26 weeks... View Article
  
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• Topps Tiles sales slump amid ‘subdued demand’

  03-04-2024 09:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Topps Tiles has seen its sales and profit decline, as the retailer blamed lower footfall in stores and a slowdown in spending on big-ticket items for the drop in the first half of the year.
  Over the 26-week period to the end of March, the tile specialist posted a 5.9% fall in total group sales year-on-year to £122.6m, as like-for-like sales fell by 11.3%.
  Despite being affected by factors such as a “weaker market”, the group said its gross margin “was up year-on-year as c
  
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• Phase Eight launches flagship Edinburgh store

  03-04-2024 09:09 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Phase Eight has returned to Edinburgh with the opening of a new flagship store in George Street. The move means the fashion brand now has four standalone... View Article
  
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• Next to expand in India through new franchise and distribution agreement

  03-04-2024 09:09 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Next has signed a new agreement in which Myntra has acquired the India franchise and distribution rights of the UK fashion brand. Through the deal, Myntra... View Article
  
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• Comment: Retailers can learn much from the Biba story

  03-04-2024 09:09 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Visiting the new London exhibition of the former iconic fashion brand Biba – ‘The Biba Story, 1964-1975’ – at the Fashion and Textile Museum it amazed... View Article
  
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• Amazon ditches ‘just walk out’ checkouts across US grocery stores

  03-04-2024 09:05 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Amazon is removing its infamous ‘Just Walk Out’ tech from all of its Fresh grocery stores in the US.
  Tony Hoggett, the senior vice president of the online giant’s grocery stores, told The Information that it will now prioritise smart trolley technology across US rather than just walk out equipment, although the move will not affect its UK outlets.
  Since launching in 2016, the system has allowed shoppers to grab items and leave without paying at the checkout, with customers inst
  
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• Dr Martens urged to undergo strategic review by major investor, hinting at possible sale

  03-04-2024 08:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Investment company Marathon Partners Equity Management is calling on Dr Martens to hire bankers and initiate an immediate strategic review, potentially paving the way for the retailers sale.
  The New York-based firm argues the footwear specialist’s stagnant earnings growth and significant share price decline of 83% since its public listing in 2021 have disconnected its valuation from its true worth, according to a letter seen by Reuters.
  The firm owns roughly 5m shares, making it one of the
  
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• Dr Martens urged to undergo strategic review by major investor

  03-04-2024 08:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Dr Martens has been urged to hire bankers and initiate an immediate strategic review by investor Marathon Partners Equity Management, as it pushes for a sale of the business.
  The New York-based firm argues the footwear specialist’s stagnant profit growth and significant share price decline of 83% since its public listing in 2021 have disconnected its valuation from its true worth, according to a letter seen by Reuters.
  The firm owns roughly 5m shares, making it one of the 30 largest invest
  
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• Sainsbury’s launches new value offering to rival Aldi’s deals

  03-04-2024 08:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Sainsbury’s has unveiled its latest value offering, ‘Low Everyday Prices’, offering shoppers market low prices on selected big brand products, which aren’t available in Aldi.
  The new offering gives customers great value on over 1000 favourites, including PG Tips Tea Bags, Quaker Rolled Porridge and Surf Tropical Lily Washing Powder.
  The supermarket said it now has “three clear ways of giving customers consistent value across its incredible products” – Lo
  
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• Sainsbury’s launches new value offering for big brand discounts

  03-04-2024 08:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Sainsbury’s has unveiled its latest value offering, ‘Low Everyday Prices’, giving shoppers “market low prices” on selected big brand products, many of which aren’t available in Aldi.
  The new offer, which replaces Price Lock, gives customers great value on over 1000 favourites, including PG Tips Tea Bags, Quaker Rolled Porridge and Surf Tropical Lily Washing Powder.
  The supermarket said it now has “three clear ways of giving customers consistent value acr
  
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• Co-op offers online wine tasting sessions

  03-04-2024 07:51 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Co-op has re-introduced its free online wine tastings to offer its members exclusive access to the producers behind its wine range. The events aim to celebrate... View Article
  
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• 5 benefits of retail onboarding (and how to do it better)

  03-04-2024 07:22 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Effective onboarding for retail is essential, as it sets each new sales assistant and store manager on a course for success.  Unfortunately, according to a recent... View Article
  
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• Saturday delivery vital for us, greetings card retailers tell Ofcom

  03-04-2024 07:00
  
  Trade body says stopping Royal Mail letter service on a Tuesday or Wednesday would be far less damagingGreetings card retailers have urged the communications industry regulator to cut a midweek delivery day rather than Saturday if it must reduce Britain’s letter services, as a consultation on postal reforms closes.The Greeting Card Association (GCA) has said that stopping delivery of standard letters on Tuesday or Wednesday would be far less damaging than a previously mooted plan to drop S
  
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• Drop a midweek post day instead of Saturdays, greetings card firms urge

  03-04-2024 07:00
  
  Trade body says stopping Royal Mail letter service on a Tuesday or Wednesday would be far less damagingGreetings card retailers have urged the communications industry regulator to cut a midweek delivery day rather than Saturday if it must reduce Britain’s letter services, as a consultation on postal reforms closes.The Greeting Card Association (GCA) has said that stopping delivery of standard letters on Tuesday or Wednesday would be far less damaging than a previously mooted plan to drop S
  
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• Shoplifting, self-checkout and the limits of AI

  03-04-2024 06:00 via ft.com
  
  A shortlived retail crime wave is a warning about the unintended consequences of automation
  
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• Germany’s largest sports retailer doubles down on physical stores

  03-04-2024 06:00 via ft.com
  Intersport Deutschland wants to increase number of outlets by a quarter
  
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• Waitrose slashes prices on more than 200 products

  03-04-2024 01:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Waitrose will cut the price of over 200 weekly shop products as part of its commitment to deliver great value for money.
  Customers will be able to save an average of 7% on everyday foods like chicken breasts, butter and cream, and up to 10% off fresh produce.
  The upmarket grocer said the new wave of price cuts focuses on a wider range of healthier products, including organic ingredients, higher-welfare items and it’s Good Health range.
  This is the fifth time the supermarket chain has lower
  
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