Retail news

• Asos introduces AI chatbot for shoppers to haggle prices

  16-08-2024 18:04 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asos has launched an AI chatbot called Nibble on its site, which allows customers to haggle back-and-forth on prices between bot and buyer.
  The online fashion giant is using Nibble for its River Island stock and is among 300 brands and retailers, including make-up brand Iconic London, that are using are using the AI-powered chatbot;.
  The Evening Standard reported that some users have managed to get discounts on shopping hauls from Asos of up to 40% using the AI feature which is growing in popula
  
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• Global stock markets head for best week of 2024, as US consumer confidence rises – as it happened

  16-08-2024 17:46
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as PwC becomes the first audit firm to be fined by the FCAThe cost of living crisis remains one of the top issues facing Britain, the latest poll from the Office for National Statistics shows.When asked about the important issues facing the UK today, the most commonly reported issues were the NHS (89%), the cost of living (88%), the economy (68%), housing (60%), crime (59%) and climate change and the environment (58%).Just over half (54
  
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• Incredible bulk: how much can Australians save on dry goods by buying a lot at once?

  16-08-2024 17:00
  
  Independent stores can offer big savings on some items bought in bulk. And for many shoppers it’s not only about the bargainsGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast“I always buy 25kg of rice,” May Lee says.The 61-year-old town planner from Mosman is shopping at Tong Li, an Asian supermarket in Campsie. At the end of the aisle are shelves loaded with sacks of rice, sugar and flour. Continue reading...
  
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• Global stock markets head for best week of 2024, as US consumer confidence rises – business live

  16-08-2024 16:31
  
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as PwC becomes the first audit firm to be fined by the FCAThe cost of living crisis remains one of the top issues facing Britain, the latest poll from the Office for National Statistics shows.When asked about the important issues facing the UK today, the most commonly reported issues were the NHS (89%), the cost of living (88%), the economy (68%), housing (60%), crime (59%) and climate change and the environment (58%).Just over half (54
  
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• Building pride, inclusion, and trust: Insights from Andy Bass at Murray Uniforms

  16-08-2024 14:15 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Welcome back to the final chapter of our interview series with Andy Bass, Business Development & ESG Director at Murray Uniforms. In this chapter, we delve... View Article
  
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• Data: Aldi set to overtake Asda as UK’s third-largest grocer in 5 years

  16-08-2024 13:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi is set to near Asda’s market share by 2027 and could overtake it by 2028, GlobalData has revealed.
  The data and analytics company said in order to secure its position in the UK food and grocery market as the third biggest grocer, Asda must “redefine itself with a clear differentiation from discounters”.
  GlobalData senior retail analyst Eleanor Simpson-Gould said: “The grocer must focus on its online capabilities this year to reestablish itself as a dominant player in
  
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• Pets at Home unveils ‘customer-centric’ Brentford store in new concept rollout

  16-08-2024 12:43 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Pets at Home has unveiled the re-launch of its new look Brentford Pet Care Centre as part of its investment programme to rollout new concept stores.This year the pet specialist is investing in four stores to create a concept designed to “deliver a truly customer-centric experience for pet owners”. They will house new concepts and trials with the most successful features rolled out across the wider Pets at Home estate
  Brentford marks the second new concept Pet Care Centre opening
  
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• Exclusive: Wilko owner eyes 300 stores in next five years

  16-08-2024 12:20 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Wilko owner Chris Dawson is targeting up to 300 stores over the next five years as he revealed that all new shops opened so far are making a profit.
  The Range owner, who bought the Wilko brand out of administration last October, told Retail Gazette, that the retailer was ready for its next phase of growth after having nailed down the store concept.
  “It’s all systems go now,” said Dawson.
  Although the retail entrepreneur said there wasn’t an exact timeframe, he expect
  
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• PwC fined £15m for not reporting suspected fraudulent activity at London Capital & Finance – business live

  16-08-2024 12:01
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as PwC becomes the first audit firm to be fined by the FCAThe cost of living crisis remains one of the top issues facing Britain, the latest poll from the Office for National Statistics shows.When asked about the important issues facing the UK today, the most commonly reported issues were the NHS (89%), the cost of living (88%), the economy (68%), housing (60%), crime (59%) and climate change and the environment (58%).Just over half (54
  
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• July retail sales boosted by football and summer discounts

  16-08-2024 11:35 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Retail sales saw an uptick in July after being boosted by this year’s major sporting events and summer discounting. According to new data from the Office... View Article
  
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• Comment: The polarising nature of self-checkouts

  16-08-2024 11:35 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Self-checkouts continue to be a polarising feature of physical retail with many people valuing the non-interactive experience while others are frustrated at the clunky, emotionless nature... View Article
  
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• Lidl to launch industry-first tool to close living wage gap in banana supply chain

  16-08-2024 11:05 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Lidl GB is is looking to help close the living wage gap in its banana supply chain through the launch of new processes and an industry-first... View Article
  
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• WH Smith introduces new store format with Smith’s Kitchen brand

  16-08-2024 10:02 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  WH Smith has launched its first own-brand café format as it looks to expand its offer for customers and partners. Sitting within the retailer’s UK travel... View Article
  
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• Hamleys launches first children’s beauty and dress up boutique at Regent Street store

  16-08-2024 10:02 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Hamleys toy retailer has launched a new beauty and dress up boutique concept at its flagship store in London’s Regent Street. Situated on the shop’s... View Article
  
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• Retail sales in July boosted by Euros and warm weather

  16-08-2024 09:58 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retail sales grew 0.5% in July, following a decline of 0.9% last month, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), as the warm weather and Euros provided a fillip.
  Department stores and sports equipment stores reported a boost following summer discounts and sporting events
  Sales were also up 1.1% during the three months to July, compared to the three months to April 2024.
  Non-food stores sales, including department, clothing, household, and other non-food stores, were u
  
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• Is Asda’s huge IT overhaul on track?

  16-08-2024 09:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda is embarking on what it terms “Europe’s largest IT transformation project”, as it aims to change 2,500 systems across every part of its business.
  The transformation, named Project Future, is a necessity as Asda separates its systems from that of former owner Walmart following its £6.8bn acquisition by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital in 2021.
  But it’s not been smooth sailing. There have been reports of a delay to the project, its move to a new payroll system l
  
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• Luxury retailers flock to Bond Street and Oxford Street for new storefronts

  16-08-2024 09:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Luxury retailers are continuing to “beeline” towards new London locations, with Bond Street and Oxford Street remaining as popular sites for bricks and mortar stores.
  New CBRE data found investment volumes in central London rose 71% quarter on quarter to £424m during Q2 this year, Drapers reported.
  The real estate firm found Bond Street “continues to draw high volumes of capital,” completing four transactions in the area during the period.
  Its report explained:
  
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• Retailers in Great Britain get a kick out of Euro 2024 as sales rise

  16-08-2024 09:36
  
  July increase of 0.5% eases pressure on high street, although households still holding back from big-ticket purchasesBusiness live – latest updatesEngland’s run to the final of the men’s football European Championship helped to power a recovery in retail sales across Great Britain in July, easing the pressure on the high street after a washout in June.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said retail sales volumes rose by 0.5% last month, matching City economists’ fore
  
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• WH Smith launches new store format with Smith’s Kitchen brand

  16-08-2024 09:22 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  WH Smith has launched its first own-brand café format as it looks to expand its offer for customers and partners. Sitting within the retailer’s UK travel... View Article
  
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• British retail sales rebound in July

  16-08-2024 09:10
  ONS reports 0.5% rise in quantity of goods bought helped by Euros tournament and shop discounts
  
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• Office returns to Milton Keynes

  16-08-2024 08:31 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Office has returned to Milton Keynes with the launch of a new store at the city’s Centre:mk. The footwear retailer previously operated a store in the... View Article
  
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• Lolë acquires Sanuk footwear brand

  16-08-2024 08:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Lolë Brands has acquired the Sanuk lifestyle footwear brand from Deckers Brands. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Lolë Brands said the move will... View Article
  
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• Nobody’s Child opens flagship store in Covent Garden

  16-08-2024 08:02 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Nobody’s Child, has opened a new flagship store on Covent Garden’s Neal Street to add to its existing London locations in Carnaby Street and Spitalfields. At... View Article
  
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