Retail news

• Phantom brands, ‘seasonal’ discounts and shrinkflation: the pricing tricks used by Australian supermarkets

  24-09-2024 17:00
  Coles and Woolworths are accused of inflating prices – but those aren’t the only tactics hurting shoppersGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian supermarkets have faced growing scrutiny over grocery prices since the pandemic amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.On Monday, Coles and Woolworths were accused of inflating prices for a short period before placing them in “Prices Dropped” or “Down Down” promotions. Australian Competit
  
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• US labor watchdog pressures Trader Joe’s to bargain with New York union

  24-09-2024 13:00
  
  Company may be ordered to recognize union amid allegations employees were threatened during electionMobilizing workers at a Trader Joe’s store on New York’s Lower East Side marginally lost a union election last year. They may ultimately get their union after all.The general counsel of the US’s top labor watchdog is seeking an order demanding that Trader Joe’s recognize and bargain with the union, Trader Joe’s United, amid allegations that employees were threatened a
  
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• Next snaps up stake in homeware brand

  24-09-2024 12:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Next has snapped up a 16% stake in homeware and lifestyle brand Rockett St George for £800,000.
  The acquisition follows a series of homeware and clothing collaborations between the retail giant and the brand via a licensing agreement.
  As part of the deal, a director from Next will join Rockett St George’s board, Drapers reported. Related StoryNext warns it could close stores if equal pay appeal fails20/09/2024 x 6:00 AMThe homeware brand said the new investment will allow it to expan
  
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• ScS winds down Snug sofa-in-a-box brand

  24-09-2024 11:13 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  ScS has closed down its Snug sofa-in-a-box brand less than two years after acquiring it as part of new owner Poltronesofà’s overhaul of the business.
  The sofa specialist said the brand will no longer be accepting new orders but that it will fulfil existing ones and customer services is still available.
  The retailer reiterated on the Snug website that it had not gone into administration and said that its new owners had “decided to focus on a different business model and range w
  
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• EU plant exporters turning backs on UK over post-Brexit border checks, says trade group

  24-09-2024 10:51
  Trading relationships at ‘breaking point’ because of delays and costs, garden centres and nurseries warnExporters of plants and flowers from mainland Europe are turning their backs on supplying Britain as “painful” new Brexit border checks are putting some trading relationships at “breaking point”, garden centres and nurseries have warned.The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), which represents garden retailers and growers, said long-held links between Bri
  
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• Card Factory named exclusive card supplier for Aldi

  24-09-2024 10:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Card Factory has renewed and expanded its partnership with Aldi to become the supermarket chain’s exclusive supplier of cards.
  The gifting specialist will now supply the German discounter’s rapidly expanding 1,200 store estate in the UK and, for the first time, Ireland with its card ranges.
  Card Factory currently supplies 550 Aldi stores in the UK following its initial partnership from 2019, which saw the cards retailer launch in half of the supermarket’s stores and sharing the
  
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• New immersive retail media concept to open in London’s Oxford Street

  24-09-2024 10:05 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  A new immersive retail media concept is to open on London’s Oxford Street at the end of next month. Spanning 435 square metres across a full... View Article
  
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• Harrods investigates possible staff ties to Fayed abuse allegations

  24-09-2024 09:54 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Harrods is looking into whether any of its current workers were involved in the rape and sexual assault accusations against its previous owner, Mohamed al-Fayed.
  In an investigation by the BBC, 20 female ex-Harrods workers accused the billionaire, who died last year, of rape and sexual assault.
  The former staff members said they had been sexually assaulted by Al Fayed while working at the London retailer. Five workers alleged they had been raped by the owner.
  The department store is in “di
  
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• Harrods investigates possible staff ties to Al Fayed abuse allegations

  24-09-2024 09:54 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Harrods is looking into whether any of its current workers were involved in the rape and sexual assault accusations against its previous owner Mohamed Al Fayed.
  In an investigation by the BBC, 20 female ex-Harrods workers accused the billionaire, who died last year, of rape and sexual assault.
  The former staff members said they had been sexually assaulted by Al Fayed while working at the London retailer. Five workers alleged they had been raped by the owner.
  The department store is in “dir
  
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• Card Factory profit declines despite increase in sales

  24-09-2024 09:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Card Factory has seen its first half revenue increase by 5.9% to £233.8 million as it continues to implement its growth strategy. However, the greeting card... View Article
  
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• Card Factory profits plunge as costs surge due to National Living Wage

  24-09-2024 09:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Card Factory profits plunged in its half year results, despite an uplift in sales.
  The card retailer, which is currently pushing ahead with its store revamp programme, saw pre-tax profit slump 43% to £14m for the six months ended 31 July.
  Card Factory insisted this reflected “substantial increases in National Living Wage” as well as “freight inflation and phasing of strategic investments”.
  Sales were up almost 6% to £234m for the period, which it said showed p
  
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• EU plant exporters turning backs on UK over ‘painful’ border checks, says trade group

  24-09-2024 09:00
  
  Trading relationships at ‘breaking point’ because of delays and costs, garden centres and nurseries warnExporters of plants and flowers from mainland Europe are turning their backs on supplying Britain as “painful” new Brexit border checks are putting some trading relationships at “breaking point”, garden centres and nurseries have warned.The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), which represents garden retailers and growers, said long-held links between Bri
  
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• Frasers Group lowers ‘strategic investment’ into Currys

  24-09-2024 08:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Frasers Group has lowered its shares in Currys, just over a year since it made its “strategic investment” into the electricals retailer.
  The Mike Ashley-controlled group has dropped its holding in the business from 10.9% to just 2.8%.
  It comes after Frasers snapped up a 9% stake in Currys in June last year, which at the time it labelled a “strategic investment”. Related StoryFrasers Group hit with audit issues at I Saw it First and Choice22/09/2024 x 9:50 AMIt said its&nb
  
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• Superdry CEO: UK should remove Shein’s tax dodge loophole

  24-09-2024 08:34 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Superdry boss Julian Dunkerton has insisted Shein is being allowed to “dodge tax” and has called on the government to take action.
  Speaking to the BBC, the CEO said the fashion retailer was benefitting from an unfair advantage due to import duties not being charged on the low-value parcels it sends directly to overseas shoppers.
  While the fast fashion giant declined to comment, it has previously claimed its success is down to its “efficient supply chain” rather than tax e
  
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• Superdry CEO: Shein is allowed to ‘dodge tax’ under ‘loophole’

  24-09-2024 08:34 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Superdry boss Julian Dunkerton has insisted Shein is being allowed to “dodge tax” and has called on the government to take action.
  Speaking to the BBC, the CEO said the fashion retailer was benefitting from an unfair advantage due to import duties not being charged on the low-value parcels it sends directly to overseas shoppers.
  While the fast fashion giant declined to comment, it has previously claimed its success is down to its “efficient supply chain” rather than tax e
  
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• Understanding sustainability in luxury retail

  24-09-2024 08:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Environmental matters are at the forefront of global conversation, and major changes are occurring within luxury retail. In the past, luxury by definition was something that... View Article
  
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• Sofa Club announces new additions to leadership team

  24-09-2024 08:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Sofa Club has appointed Sally Mason as finance director and Chantal Amado as merchandising director as it continues to grow its market presence. Mason has joined... View Article
  
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• London Designer Outlet hails record breaking August

  24-09-2024 08:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  London Designer Outlet in Wembley Park has been celebrating its strongest-ever sales performance outside of December, with August sales growing by 12.5% year-on-year to exceed £10... View Article
  
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• Coronation Street unveils new Sainsbury’s store facade

  24-09-2024 08:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  A Sainsbury’s and Argos store made its debut on ITV’s Coronation Street last night as part of a product placement partnership. Announced earlier this year after... View Article
  
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• [Interview] Amy Davies, People Director at Superdrug

  24-09-2024 08:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  As Superdrug celebrates its 60th Birthday we sat down with Amy Davies who is the People Director for Superdrug and Savers, part of the AS Watson... View Article
  
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• US election merchandise sellers hit by flood of cheap Chinese competition

  24-09-2024 06:00
  US manufacturers say wrongly-labelled online goods are eroding their election-year hopes
  
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• Trump flags made in China: how tariff-flouting campaign kit flooded US market

  24-09-2024 06:00
  
  US manufacturers say wrongly labelled online goods are eroding their election-year hopes
  
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• Trump flags made in China: how tariff-flouting campaign kit flooded the US

  24-09-2024 06:00
  US manufacturers say wrongly labelled online goods are eroding their election-year hopes
  
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• Levi Strauss warns of delay in hitting $10bn sales goal

  24-09-2024 06:00
  Denim maker is pressing ahead with hundreds of store openings and plan to boost appeal to women
  
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• Can Levi’s get its mojo back?

  24-09-2024 06:00
  Denim maker’s chief says it will take longer than expected to reach $10bn revenue target as it plans new stores
  
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• The ups and downs of supermarket prices: looks like the secret is out | Fiona Katauskas

  24-09-2024 02:38
  
  Who is actually footing the bill?See more of Fiona Katauskas’s cartoons here Continue reading...
  
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