Retail news

• Equal pay hearing affecting thousands of Asda shop workers begins

  09-09-2024 19:28
  
  Case is about whether the mainly female roles are equal to predominantly male warehouse staff, who are paid moreMore than 60,000 Asda shop workers have begun a key stage in their fight for equal pay in a long-running case that could lead to more than £1.2bn in compensation.The employment tribunal started a hearing on Monday, expected to last about three months, into whether mainly female shop workers’ roles are of equal value to predominantly male warehouse workers who are currently
  
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• The croissant supremacy: why flaky pastry is everywhere – from handbags to homeware

  09-09-2024 18:22
  
  From a limited edition bag to a surprisingly convincing lamp, croissants have replaced avocados as today’s viral foodstuff. If only they weren’t so bad for us ...Name: Croissant.Age: Well, either 185 years old or 186. Or about 800. It depends. Continue reading...
  
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• Sales of old-school crisps jump as shoppers rediscover 1990s’ favourites

  09-09-2024 18:16
  Retailers report surge of interest in the likes of Frazzles, Skips and Chipsticks despite launches of upmarket crispsForget the upmarket black truffle or posh sea salt and cider vinegar crisps. Shoppers are bringing 1990s flavours back.Whether it is nostalgia or a new generation discovering the British classics on social media, supermarket sales data show brands such as Frazzles and Nik Naks are having a revival. Continue reading...
  
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• The Perfume Shop unveils Top 10 fragrances for Christmas 2024 following record-breaking sales

  09-09-2024 18:13 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Perfume Shop, the UK’s largest fragrance retailer, has predicted their top 10 fragrances expected to sell out this Christmas. As the festive season approaches, fragrances... View Article
  
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• Superdrug removes VAT cost from Own Brand sexual health products

  09-09-2024 17:48 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Leading high street healthcare retailer Superdrug has removed the VAT from its Own Brand sexual health product portfolio, in a move to help support the sexual... View Article
  
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• Stripe & Stare launch The Bra Shop: Perfect bras for every body

  09-09-2024 17:48 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  British lingerie brand Stripe & Stare, renowned for their soft, comfortable knickers, has expanded their product offering with the launch of a new range of bras.... View Article
  
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• Thousands of Asda employees begin equal pay hearing

  09-09-2024 14:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  More than 60,000 Asda employees are to begin their case to the Employment Tribunal today in the largest-ever private sector equal pay claim.
  The staff, who are all current or former employees of the supermarket, argue that their work is of equal value to the work of Asda’s warehouse workers.
  Today’s hearing (9 September) marks the second stage of the case and considers whether certain store-based roles are of equal value to certain depot roles.
  The tribunal will look at multiple jobs
  
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• Aldi says a basket of its goods is cheaper than a year ago as it cuts prices

  09-09-2024 13:50
  
  Supermarket has come under pressure as rivals such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s have promised to match its pricesBusiness live – latest updatesAldi has said the price of a basket of its goods is lower than a year ago despite ongoing grocery inflation, as the discount chain tries to fight back against increasing pressure from rivals’ price-matching schemes.The German-owned budget retailer said a slowdown in growth this year – sales are rising by just 0.5% compared with 16% las
  
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• The Cotswold Company hails “fantastic momentum” as it looks ahead to Christmas trading period

  09-09-2024 13:29 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Cotswold Company has delivered strong sales growth in the first half of its financial year as it looks ahead to the busy Christmas trading period.... View Article
  
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• Kate’s wedding dress designer Sarah Burton named Givenchy creative chief

  09-09-2024 12:45
  Macclesfield-born creative director left the top job at Alexander McQueen last yearBusiness live – latest updatesSarah Burton, who designed the Princess of Wales’s wedding dress in her former role as creative director of Alexander McQueen, has been appointed to the top job at Givenchy.The French luxury label’s new creative director, who will be responsible for the women’s and men’s collections with immediate effect, said: “It is a great honour to be joining th
  
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• 7-Eleven bid is the next stage in revitalising corporate Japan

  09-09-2024 11:59
  
  Size of potential takeover is likely to spark antitrust concerns in both US and Japan but deal makes sense for Couche-Tard
  
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• [ EVENT ] The Retail HR Summit 2024

  09-09-2024 11:50 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Company values, collaboration with employees and driving a major HR transformation to create a truly omnichannel experience, need to be at the heart of the organisation’s... View Article
  
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• Shopify partners with Roblox to bring in-game shopping to life

  09-09-2024 11:38 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Ecommerce firm Shopify is partnering with Roblox to allow its brands to sell physical items directly within the game.
  The tie-up will see Shopify’s checkout piloted into the video game, with a larger launch planned for early 2025.
  The move means Shopify’s brands will be able to engage with a global audience of nearly 80m daily Roblox users and potential customers.
  A host of retailers have been using the platform to make interactive games for consumers.
  Superdrug launched a branded ob
  
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• The Cotswold Company sales surge as investment into multichannel pays off

  09-09-2024 10:35 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Cotswold Company hailed a strong start to the year as its sales growth outpaced the broader home and furniture market.
  Sales for the home furnishings retailer jumped 15% to £40.1m in the six months to 25 August, up from £35m last year.
  Active customer numbers were up 21% year-on-year, which it attributed to “the strength of the Cotswold Company brand, highly effective digital marketing activities, and the benefits of the Company’s multi-channel model”.
  The Cotsw
  
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• Aldi’s UK operation posts jump in profits despite recent market share fall

  09-09-2024 10:11
  
  Chain plans to open 23 new UK sites before end of the year
  
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• Flower company admits to 156 websites posing as local shopfronts in $1m settlement with Australian regulator

  09-09-2024 10:05
  
  ACCC fields 66 complaints about Meg’s Flowers, which fulfilled orders by using other brands under the Flowercorp group parent companyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA flower company has admitted to running 156 websites with different suburb names and placing thousands of Google ads that would have misled customers into thinking they were ordering from a flower shop in their local area, in a proposed $1m settlement with the Australian consumer regulator.If Ashgrov
  
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• The Future of Customer Experience (CX) in 2025 Retail

  09-09-2024 10:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The retail niche has been through a lot in the past few years. With the brick-and-mortar revival after Covid and aftershocks of the 2020 mini-recession changing... View Article
  
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• The Body Shop rescued from administration in a move that will save 1,300 jobs

  09-09-2024 09:52 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Body Shop has been rescued from administration by a consortium led by Mike Jatania’s investment firm Auréa Group. In a deal finalised late on Friday,... View Article
  
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• Tesco backs 16 innovative new brands as part of 2024 Accelerator Programme

  09-09-2024 09:52 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Tesco has stepped up its commitment to championing new brands through the launch of a second cohort of products for its 2024 Accelerator Programme. The initiative... View Article
  
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• Selfridges publishes The Yellow Mag

  09-09-2024 09:52 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Selfridges has launched the second issue of its annual fashion and culture publication. Now featuring the new name of The Yellow Mag, a play on the... View Article
  
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• Aldi announces biggest ever annual investment in Britain as it continues its expansion

  09-09-2024 09:52 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Aldi has announced its biggest ever package of annual investment in Britain as it continues its expansion. The supermarket is planning to open 23 new stores... View Article
  
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• Asos rejected Shein’s £215m offer for Topshop in favour of lower bid

  09-09-2024 09:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asos declined a much higher bid for Topshop and Topman from Shein and Authentic Brands Group (ABG) in favour of its new joint venture with Heartland, reports have revealed.
  Last week, the online fashion giant agreed to sell a 75% stake in Topshop and Topman to Heartland, an investment firm owned by the family of retail billionaire Anders Povlsen, for £135m in a deal that valued the two brands at £180m.
  Though The Sunday Times reported that Asos declined a much higher bid of
  
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• Superdry teams up with Next to launch first kidswear collection

  09-09-2024 09:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Superdry has entered into a licensing deal with Next to introduce the brand’s inaugural kidswear collection, which will be available on Next’s online platform and in select UK stores
  Next will create and distribute the 95-piece collection, created in collaboration with the fashion retailer’s design team. It will feature outerwear, T-shirts, sweatshirts, polos, and dresses for children aged two to ten, inspired by Superdry’s archive.
  The collection will be launched online
  
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• Aldi UK CEO: Customers are trading up as cost-of-living pressures ease

  09-09-2024 09:07 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi UK’s chief executive has said shoppers are treating themselves with higher-end products as the cost-of-living pressures begin to ease.
  Customers are increasingly opting for premium own-brand items, such as Wagyu steak, artisan cheeses, ready meals, and brioche buns, according to the boss.
  Aldi UK CEO Giles Hurley told the BBC: “Sales of our specially selected smoked salmon have surged by over 50%.”
  It comes as Aldi posted a 16% increase in sales in 2023 and bumper profits
  
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• Asda rolls out workplace savings scheme

  09-09-2024 08:43 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda has introduced one of the nation’s biggest workplace savings initiatives for its 150,000 employees.
  In collaboration with financial services provider Wagestream, the UK’s third-largest supermarket is offering staff a savings account with a 4.7% annual equivalent rate (AER), which is safeguarded by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
  Unlike many high street savings accounts, the grocer’s scheme doesn’t require workers to commit to regular deposits, and allows
  
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• Asda rolls out major workplace savings scheme amid performance push

  09-09-2024 08:43 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda has introduced one of the nation’s biggest workplace savings initiatives, aimed at benefiting its 150,000 employees.
  In collaboration with financial services provider Wagestream, the UK’s third-largest supermarket is offering staff a savings account with a 4.7% annual equivalent rate (AER), which is safeguarded by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
  Unlike many high street savings accounts, the grocer’s scheme doesn’t require workers to commit to regular depo
  
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• Q&A: Tim Hooper, the Business Development Director at Zucchetti UK

  09-09-2024 08:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Tim Hooper, the Business Development Director at Zucchetti UK discusses key insights from a new retail industry report titled “The Resilience of High-Street Retail: Uncovering Consumers’... View Article
  
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• Aldi to invest ‘unprecedented’ £800m to accelerate UK expansion as sales soar

  09-09-2024 08:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi has unveiled its largest ever package of annual investment to accelerate its expansion across Britain.
  The discount grocer said its focus on lowering prices and opening stores would bring “high-quality, affordable groceries to millions more British families”, while creating thousands of jobs and more opportunities for British suppliers.
  Aldi said it planned to open 23 new locations before the end of the year, including Muswell Hill, London and Caterham, Surrey – marking a
  
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• Aldi to invest ‘unprecedented’ £800m to accelerate UK expansion as sales and profits soar

  09-09-2024 08:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi has unveiled its largest ever package of annual investment, ploughing £800m into accelerating its expansion across Britain as its sales and profits spike.
  In the 12 months leading up to December 2023, the German discounter’s sales jumped by £2.4bn to £17.9bn – a 16% surge that marked its highest-ever sales growth.
  Pre-tax profit grew to £536.7m, up from £152.6m in the previous year, thanks to both the record sales and improved efficiencies across it
  
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• Aldi to invest ‘unprecedented’ £800m on UK expansion as sales and profits soar

  09-09-2024 08:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi has unveiled its largest ever package of annual investment, ploughing £800m into accelerating its expansion across Britain as its sales and profits spike.
  In the 12 months leading up to December 2023, the German discounter’s sales jumped by £2.4bn to £17.9bn – a 16% surge that marked its highest-ever sales growth.
  Pre-tax profit grew to £536.7m, up from £152.6m in the previous year, thanks to both the record sales and improved efficiencies across it
  
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• Small businesses dodge £4.4bn of UK tax each year

  09-09-2024 01:03
  Spending watchdog says HMRC lacks a strategy to combat the problem
  
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• Fairtrade charity says people are making ‘conscious’ choice to buy its products

  09-09-2024 01:01
  Group praises nearly 70% of UK adults who bought Fairtrade products in past year despite cost of living crisisNearly 70% of UK adults have bought Fairtrade products such as bananas, tea or coffee in the past year despite pressure on personal finances, as concern that the climate crisis could push up the price of imported food drives “conscious consumerism”, the charity said.Against the backdrop of this year’s big spikes in the price of coffee and cocoa, a YouGov poll, commissio
  
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