Retail news

• Pretty Little Thing returning founder unveils suite of changes

  30-09-2024 19:25 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Pretty Little Thing founder Umar Kamani has revealed a host of changes to its website, after returning to the brand earlier this month.
  Posting on instagram, Kamani explained that “model size height” would be added back to product pages over the next few weeks and that it would continue its “reviews on blocked accounts with the intention to unblock more accounts this week”.
  During the summer, Pretty Little Thing faced a backlash after it deactivated some customer accounts
  
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• Dobbies to close 17 stores as it unveils restructuring plan

  30-09-2024 19:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Dobbies has launched a restructuring plan, which will see it close 17 unprofitable stores, as it aims to “address historically uneconomical rent costs and ensure a return to sustainable profitability”.
  The garden centre will close 11 mainline sites and six Little Dobbies stores, all of which are unprofitable, with 465 of its 3,600 employees impacted. The move will leave it with 60 garden centres.
  The retailer will also work with landlords to seek temporary rent reductions at a furthe
  
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• Coles and Woolworths have leapfrogged their peers in profitability – these charts prove it

  30-09-2024 17:00
  
  In 2008, the profits of Australia’s grocery duopoly were in line with overseas supermarkets. By 2024 they are among the highest in the worldFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSixteen years ago, the Rudd government ordered an inquiry into the supermarket sector amid rising public discontent about grocery prices.The sector was already highly concentrated with Coles and Woolworths enjoying a collective 65% share of
  
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• In The Style founder exits the brand

  30-09-2024 16:15 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  In The Style founder Adam Frisby is stepping down from the fashion retailer.
  Posting on Instagram, the executive said that it was with a “heavy heart” that he would “no longer be part of In The Style”.
  He noted: “This really hasn’t been an easy decision for me and since stepping down as CEO at the end of 2023 I’ve tried my hardest to continue to make things work , but despite my best efforts, it’s now a decision I’ve had to make.”
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• Asda fixes till ‘technical glitch’ that delayed store openings

  30-09-2024 14:56 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda has fixed a “technical issue” affecting tills in several stores earlier today (30 September), which prevented some customers from completing their purchases.
  Stores across the country had to open later than usual, with some shoppers reporting returning home without their groceries after all checkouts in some branches stopped working.
  Writing on social media, one shopper said: “So it seems Asda is having a till melt down yet again.
  “To the extent of having to close st
  
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• DIY retailers report sales surge ahead of winter fuel payments cut

  30-09-2024 14:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  DIY retailers have seen soaring sales ahead of the government’s move to slash winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.
  Home improvement giant B&Q said it saw loft insulation sales rise by almost a fifth over the last month compared to the same time last year, The Telegraph reported.
  Additionally, DIY giant Wickes said it experienced a rise in demand for heat-saving items that were easy and quick to install, including energy efficient lighting and insulation.
  It comes ahead of l
  
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• Cook crowned Retailer Employer of the Year at the People in Retail Awards 2024

  30-09-2024 13:54 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  In a retail world often driven by targets and sales, Cook Trading stands out as a shining example of what it means to put people first.... View Article
  
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• The Perfume Shop’s Spirit of Excellence

  30-09-2024 13:46 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Perfume Shop has been recognised for the “Spirit of Excellence” award at the People in Retail Awards 2024, a testament to their unwavering dedication to... View Article
  
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• Frasers Group makes £83mn offer for Mulberry

  30-09-2024 13:46
  Sports Direct owner seeks to avoid ‘another Debenhams situation’ with approach for British luxury brand
  
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• Cook crowned Retailer of the Year at the People in Retail Awards 2024

  30-09-2024 13:04 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  In a retail world often driven by targets and sales, Cook Trading stands out as a shining example of what it means to put people first.... View Article
  
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• Nigel Oddy wins Executive Leader of the Year for transformative leadership at American Golf

  30-09-2024 12:38 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Nigel Oddy, CEO of American Golf has been crowned the Executive Leader of the year at the People in Retail Awards 2024. When Nigel Oddy stepped... View Article
  
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• Meg Lustman Honoured with Spirit of Excellence Award

  30-09-2024 12:11 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The People in Retail Awards 2024 recognised Meg Lustman for her exceptional contributions to the retail industry, awarding her the Spirit of Excellence Award. With a... View Article
  
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• Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group makes £83m offer for handbag maker Mulberry

  30-09-2024 12:06
  Sports Direct owner looks to up 37% stake to 100% amid concerns for future of cash-strapped fashion firm• Business live – latest updatesMike Ashley’s Frasers Group has filed a possible £83m offer to buy the luxury brand Mulberry as it expressed concerns about the future of the British handbag maker.Frasers – the owner of Sports Direct, Evans Cycles, the House of Fraser department stores, the luxury streetwear chain Flannels and multiple brands from Slazenger to Jack
  
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• Frasers Group makes bid for Mulberry as it blasts luxury retailer

  30-09-2024 11:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Frasers Group has made a bid for embattled Mulberry as it blasted the luxury retailer for not informing it about its plan to raise more funds.
  The Mike Ashley-controlled group, which owns 37% of Mulberry’s shares, said it is “exceptionally concerned” as the luxury retailer’s auditors flagged there was “material uncertainty related to going concern” on Friday. Frasers said it would “not accept another Debenhams situation where a perfectly viable business
  
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• BREAKING: Frasers Group makes bid for Mulberry as it blasts luxury retailer

  30-09-2024 11:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Frasers Group has made a bid for embattled Mulberry as it blasted the luxury retailer for not informing it about its plan to raise more funds.
  The Mike Ashley-controlled group, which owns 37% of Mulberry’s shares, said it is “exceptionally concerned” as the luxury retailer’s auditors flagged there was “material uncertainty related to going concern” on Friday. Frasers said it would “not accept another Debenhams situation where a perfectly viable business
  
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• Mulberry targets £10m cash raise amid declining profits

  30-09-2024 11:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Mulberry is set to raise over £10m in cash as it swung to a loss in its last financial year.
  The luxury fashion retailer posted a pre-tax loss of £34.1m in the year to March 30, down from £13.2m  profit last year as group sales dropped 4% year-on-year to £152.8m, largely due to a “challenging” second half.
  Mulberry has struggled in the first 25 weeks of its current financial year amid a slowdown in the luxury market, with group revenue down 18% and retail
  
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• UK retailers call on government for mandatory food waste reporting

  30-09-2024 11:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Over 30 supermarkets and food producers have called on the government to introduce compulsory reporting of food waste.
  Retailers and brands including Tesco – which recently unveiled a facility that turns surplus food into animal feed – Aldi, Nestlé and Princes have signed a letter to environment secretary Steve Reed as a first step towards cutting waste, The Guardian reported.
  They insist forcing businesses to confront the reality of their food waste will lead to better behavi
  
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• Gymshark to open 4 new stores in the next year

  30-09-2024 10:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Gymshark is set to open three new permanent stores and a retail outlet pop-up in the next 12 months.
  The shops will open in Trafford Centre in Manchester, Westfield White City in London, and on The Kalverstraat in Amsterdam, its first store in mainland Europe.
  The gymwear giant will open the doors to its third store in London, a 9,000 sq ft site at Westfield White City in early 2025, which follows its debut at Westfield Stratford City this July. The Amsterdam store will open in spring 2025, as G
  
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• Pandora and Sandersons team up to launch new concept concession

  30-09-2024 09:59 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Jewellery brand Pandora is working with Sandersons to introduce a new concept concession at the the independent department store’s shops in Stroud and Sheffield. Marking the... View Article
  
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• AllSaints opens first standalone store in Egypt

  30-09-2024 09:39 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  AllSaints has opened its first standalone store in Egypt at one of the country’s largest shopping malls. The new 2,368 square foot space at Cairo’s Mall... View Article
  
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• M&S eyes massive Midlands warehouse to boost online expansion

  30-09-2024 09:16 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  M&S is exploring a deal for a giant new warehouse in the Midlands as the retailer aims to capitalise on the booming growth of its online fashion and homeware arm.
  The retail giant is reportedly seeking additional space, with property insiders telling The Telegraph that M&S has been exploring options for a one million sq ft site in the Northamptonshire region, though no final decision has been made yet.
  M&S currently has about 9.4m customers who regularly shop online, and the retaile
  
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• AllSaints opens first standalone Egypt store

  30-09-2024 08:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  AllSaints has opened its first standalone store in Egypt at Cairo’s Mall of Arabia, one of the country’s largest shopping centres.
  The fashion retailer’s new 2,368 sq ft store, which is also its first in Africa, houses a broad range of AllSaints clothing, handbags, footwear and accessories, across both women’s and men’s ranges.
  The store has also been fitted out in line with AllSaints’ new store design concept, which first launched in Los Angeles last year and
  
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• Dreams sales surge thanks to record investments in store and tech upgrades

  30-09-2024 08:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Dreams has posted rise sales following record store, tech and supply chain investments as part of its ongoing modernisation programme.
  The bed specialist saw annual turnover rise 2.2% to £395m for the 52 weeks ending December 2023 while underlying EBITDA before currency movement rose to £59m.
  During the year, Dreams invested a “record-breaking amount” in store expansion and refits, including upgrades to its technology systems, supply chain and machinery.
  This included the
  
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• Dreams profits edge up as it makes record investments in store and tech

  30-09-2024 08:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Dreams annual sales and profits have nudged up following record store, tech and supply chain investments.
  The bed specialist saw annual turnover rise 2.2% to £395m for the 52 weeks ending December 2023 while underlying EBITDA before currency movement rose from £58m to £59m.
  Dreams invested a “record-breaking amount” in store expansion and refits, including upgrades to its technology systems, supply chain and machinery.
  This included the opening of its largest distri
  
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• THG’s Lookfantastic opens first permanent store

  30-09-2024 08:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Lookfantastic has opened the doors to its first-ever permanent store in Altrincham in Greater Manchester.
  The THG-owned online beauty retailer is building on the success of its popular events and pop-up shops with the permanent shop, which seeks to educate customers about the brands and products it sells.It stocks over 90 beauty brands including a number of exclusives such as Dermatologist-founded brand, Dr Loretta, Espa, Perricone MD, Jo Malone and Dr. Dennis Gross.
  The retailer will also
  
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• THG’s Lookfantastic opens first-ever permanent concept store

  30-09-2024 08:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Lookfantastic has opened the doors to its first-ever concept store in the Greater Manchester town of Altrincham.
  The THG-owned online beauty retailer is building on the success of its popular events and pop-ups, bringing the online beauty world to real life.
  The new concept store will seek to educate customers about the brands and products from the brand, through a physical shopping experience.It stocks over 90 Beauty brands including a number of exclusives such as Dermatologist-founded brand, D
  
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• Dreams sales boosted by record investment in stores, technology and supply chain

  30-09-2024 08:28 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Dreams has posted a 2.2% increase in annual turnover to £395.4 million after it invested a record amount in its operations as part of its ongoing... View Article
  
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• Aldi introduces HVO-powered trucks to its fleet

  30-09-2024 08:15 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Aldi is converting more than 30% of its fleet of owned HGVs to operate on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuels. The move is expected to reduce... View Article
  
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• The Bridges announces new openings

  30-09-2024 08:10 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Sunderland’s The Bridges has added two further retailers to its line-up as new owner Evolve works up the centre’s long-term strategy. These include footwear retailer Deichmann... View Article
  
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