Retail news

• Dollar General warns poorer US consumers are running out of money

  29-08-2024 21:35
  Discount retailer says low-income households feel more ‘financially constrained’ than six months ago
  
  Read more

• Clogs’ popularity helps Birkenstock to highest ever quarterly sales

  29-08-2024 19:54
  
  ‘Ugly’ footwear trend boosts German company’s results but shares fall on bigger-than-expected drop in marginsStrong sales of clogs – which have been adopted by the American models Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner as part of this summer’s trend for “ugly” shoes – have helped Birkenstock to the highest quarterly sales in its history.The German shoemaker, which listed on the US stock market in October last year valued at $7.5bn, said sales of “clos
  
  Read more

• UK stores ‘buying stolen goods’ from professional shoplifters

  29-08-2024 19:32
  
  Retailers report high volume of thefts and then seeing items for sale locally or on Facebook and WhatsAppShops across the UK are buying stolen goods from professional shoplifters who thieve to order for criminal gangs to feed their addiction problems, retail groups have said.The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) said its members were reporting “high volume” and “very brazen and direct” incidents of shoplifting, with meat, cheese and alcohol items typically targeted.
  
  Read more

• Sainsbury’s to buy 10 Homebase stores and convert them into big supermarkets

  29-08-2024 19:05
  
  First shop in £130m investment to open next summer as questions raised over DIY chain’s futureSainsbury’s has said it will invest £130m in buying 10 stores from Homebase and converting them into big supermarkets in the retailer’s biggest expansion in more than a decade.The deal marks the changing fortunes of two big British retail brands as questions are raised over the future of the DIY chain.Birmingham Sutton ColdfieldBromsgroveCromerDerryFarehamInverurieLowestoft
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Homebase to begin discussions with potential investors

  29-08-2024 18:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Homebase is set to begin talks with potential investors next week, according to reports.
  The discussions are set to focus on driving the home and garden retailer’s new phase of growth, Retail Week reported.
  The news comes after Sainsbury’s agreed to acquire 10 Homebase stores under a £130m deal this week, with the sale expected to complete in early September. Related StorySainsbury’s snaps up 10 Homebase stores in £130m deal29/08/2024 x 11:54 AMThe chain pulled in l
  
  Read more

• Homebase prepares to begin discussions with potential investors

  29-08-2024 18:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Homebase is set to begin talks with potential investors next week, according to reports.
  The discussions are set to focus on driving the home and garden retailer’s new phase of growth Retail Week reported.
  The news comes after Sainsbury’s agreed to acquire 10 Homebase stores under a £130m deal this week, with the sale expected to complete in early September. Related StorySainsbury’s snaps up 10 Homebase stores in £130m deal29/08/2024 x 11:54 AMThe chain pulled in lo
  
  Read more

• Halloween creeps into US stores and theme parks scarily early to boost sales

  29-08-2024 16:50
  
  Major retailers like Target and Lowe’s announced spooky products as early as July as Halloween spending surgesHalloween has arrived earlier than ever, at least as a concept at major US theme parks and stores across the US, as companies seek to boost sales and build on consumers’ love of spooky costumes and scares – even in August.This month, theme park operators such as Six Flags, Disney and Universal Studios have introduced a range of Halloween-themed attractions, live-perform
  
  Read more

• Dobbies owner plots store closures and rent cuts under restructuring plan

  29-08-2024 16:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Dobbies Garden Centres is planning a financial overhaul of the business, which lead to rent cuts and shop closures.
  The home and gardening giant, which is owned by investment firm Ares Management, is understood to be working with advisors at FTI Consulting on a restructuring plan, Sky News reported.
  It remains unclear how many of Dobbies’ 77 stores are set to close or how many of its 3,700 jobs will be impacted. Related StorySainsbury’s boss warns 17,000 stores are at risk without bu
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Clarks Originals opens first Jamaican store celebrating decades of cultural legacy

  29-08-2024 14:41 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Clarks Originals is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its first store experience in Jamaica, in partnership with Kingston’s own Signature Style. Signature Style, a... View Article
  
  Read more

• Tesco faces strike ballot as warehouse workers reject a less than 5% pay offer

  29-08-2024 14:24 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Tesco is facing potential strikes across its distribution network after warehouse workers at eight of its sites rejected a less than 5% pay offer.
  Trade union Usdaw has launched a consultative ballot for its members to vote on if they are prepared to take industrial action.
  It comes as the distribution employees overwhelmingly rejected the supermarket’s pay offer of between 2% plus £500 and 4.4%, depending on contract, along with some additional enhancements.
  The consultative ballot
  
  Read more

• G2 Summer Awards recognise BetterCommerce: Setting new standards in eCommerce excellence

  29-08-2024 14:03 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  BetterCommerce is delighted to announce its remarkable achievements at the G2 Summer Awards. Recognised for its commitment to excellence and innovation, BetterCommerce has been honoured across... View Article
  
  Read more

• H&M wipes social media ahead of landmark new collection

  29-08-2024 12:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  H&M has wiped its Instagram account ahead of the launch of its new autumn/winter collection next month, its first under newly appointed group chief executive Daniel Ervér.
  The fashion retailer’s social media account has been turned into a blank page with the date ‘12092024’ left in the bio, which coincides with the global launch date of the collection, which will feature a wider range of price points.
  Ervér told the Business of Fashion last week: &ld
  
  Read more

• Sainsbury’s snaps up 10 Homebase stores in £130m deal

  29-08-2024 12:54 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Sainsbury’s has agreed to acquire 10 stores from Homebase to convert into supermarkets, with the sale expected to complete in early September.
  The acquired stores are based in key target locations designed to grow the grocer’s coverage across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, as part of its Next Level Sainsbury’s plan.
  Once the sites have been converted, the shop floor area of the stores will add a total of around 235,000 sq ft to Sainsbury’s trading space, bringing
  
  Read more

• Sainsbury’s snaps up 10 Homebase stores

  29-08-2024 12:54 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Sainsbury’s has agreed to acquire 10 stores from Homebase to convert into supermarkets, with the sale expected to complete in early September.
  The acquired stores are based in key target locations designed to grow the grocer’s coverage across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, as part of its Next Level Sainsbury’s plan.
  Once the sites have been converted, the shop floor area of the stores will add a total of around 235,000 sq ft to Sainsbury’s trading space, bringing
  
  Read more

• Myrqvist opens first shop outside of Sweden in London’s Jermyn Street

  29-08-2024 12:45 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Swedish footwear brand Myrqvist has opened its first international store on London’s Jermyn Street. Designed by Swedish interior designer Astrid Lindén, the 1,069 square foot boutique... View Article
  
  Read more

• John Lewis launches online Christmas shop

  29-08-2024 12:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  John Lewis has opened its online Christmas shop as shoppers begin looking to stock up on festive decorations.
  The department store chain said customers are already getting into the festive spirit, with searches for Christmas tree decorations and baubles up 30% on last year.
  It expects supersized wreaths and oversized bows to take centre stage this year as ‘doorscaping’ and playing with scale become popular trends.
  John Lewis noted that Christmas trees are also getting bigger year on
  
  Read more

• Sainsbury’s launches support group for egg farmers

  29-08-2024 12:02 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Sainsbury’s has established a new development group to support its egg farmers. Due to launch next month, the Sainsbury’s Egg Group will be run in collaboration... View Article
  
  Read more

• Watch: Very’s fashion offer returns to TV in new Haus of Flamingo ad

  29-08-2024 10:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Very Group’s fashion offer is set to make its first broadcast TV ad in seven years to celebrate the launch of its autumn collection.
  Developed in collaboration with The Gate, the ‘Haus of Flamingo’ campaign combines the “sentiment” of Very’s brand proposition, its three flamingos, and “an aspirational and relatable style to create an irresistible brand world full of pink and originality”.
  It spotlights Very’s womenswear and the upcoming seaso
  
  Read more

• Schuh steps up disability inclusion with single-shoe purchases 

  29-08-2024 10:43 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Footwear chain Schuh has stepped up its commitment to disability equality by rolling out single-shoe purchases for shoppers with a disability or limb difference.
  Shoppers will be able to buy a single shoe from 30 August across all of the brand’s stores, by phone, or via its online customer experience team, Drapers reported.
  The single shoes, which will be taken from a new pair, will also have a 50% discount applied. Related StoryNew Look teams up with ITF to protect transport supply chain
  
  Read more

• Astley Clarke and Edge of Ember unite under new leadership

  29-08-2024 10:29 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  British jewellery brands Astley Clarke and Edge of Ember have been merged under new leadership by parent company Aeternum Holding. The move will see Astley Clarke... View Article
  
  Read more

• Who’s winning back-to-school this year?

  29-08-2024 09:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  With September around the corner, now is an important time for parents across the nation, back-to-school season.
  This is a key period in the retail calendar and with the cost-of-living still hitting families hard, retailers are vying to win shoppers over with affordable, accessible school essentials.
  GlobalData lead retail analyst Zoe Mills explains: “The 2024 back to school retail winners will be determined by their ability to appeal to a price-conscious shoppers. Consumers are cutting ba
  
  Read more

• eBay to host first-ever pre-loved Fashion Week in London and New York

  29-08-2024 09:25 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  eBay is set to host its first pre-loved Fashion Week in both London and New York next month as it puts a spotlight on second-hand designer fashion.
  The online marketplace has teamed up with the British Fashion Council and the Council of Fashion Designers in America to host live, shoppable runway shows ahead of the SS2025 official fashion week schedules.
  The Endless Runway shows, which feature pre-loved looks from designers like Khaite, Christopher Kane and Simone Rocha, will be accessible t
  
  Read more

• Quiz posts full year loss and revenue decline

  29-08-2024 09:11 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Quiz has reported a full year loss and decline in revenue after cost-of-living pressures led to reduced demand from consumers for its occasion wear. In the... View Article
  
  Read more

• Quiz plunges to a loss as sales fall 10%

  29-08-2024 09:03 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Quiz has plunged to a near £7m loss as cost-of-living pressures continue to weigh on consumer demand.
  The fashion retailer reported it had dropped into the red with a pre-tax loss of £6.7m in the year to 31 March, down from the £2.3m profit it recorded in 2023.
  Sales fell 10.6% to £82m, dragged down by an 18% drop in online trading to £24.5m and 8% decline in stores and concessions sales to £41.7m. International revenue sunk 4% to £15.8m.
  Despite th
  
  Read more

• New Look teams up with ITF to protect transport supply chain workers

  29-08-2024 08:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  New Look has teamed up with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) in efforts to protect its transport supply chain workers.
  The fashion giant and global union federation said they were working together to ensure transport workers’ human and labour rights were protected under New Look’s supply chain.
  New Look senior head of ESG, quality and sourcing Sue Fairley explained: “Formalising our relationship with ITF offers New Look an informed, practical partners
  
  Read more

• IKEA launches Market Hall Madness in celebration of new rewards perk

  29-08-2024 08:26 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  IKEA is offering customers the chance to win a  “once-in-a-lifetime” 30 minute shopping experience where they can take home a trolley full of IKEA products for... View Article
  
  Read more

• Authentic selects partner to manage Ted Baker’s online operations in UK and Europe

  29-08-2024 07:55 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Authentic Brands Group  has selected longstanding partner United Legwear & Apparel Co. to manage Ted Baker’s ecommerce operations in the UK and Europe. The move follows... View Article
  
  Read more

Follow @retailuknws on Twitter!