Retail news

• Biden blocks Nippon Steel’s $15bn bid for US Steel over national security fears – as it happened

  03-01-2025 16:01
  
  Joe Biden blocks Nippon Steel’s bid to purchase US SteelNovember’s money and lending data suggests that consumer caution around borrowing and saving has failed to fade in the wake of the Labour government’s budget, according to Capital Economics.Its analysts say this adds further downside risk to its Q4 GDP forecast of 0.0%.The £0.9bn rise in consumer credit in November was a bit lower than October’s rise of £1.0bn and the average gain of £1.2bn over the
  
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• Disappointing UK mortgage and consumer loan data adds to UK economic gloom – business live

  03-01-2025 13:19
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news as Bank of England figures point to an economic slowdownNovember’s money and lending data suggests that consumer caution around borrowing and saving has failed to fade in the wake of the Labour government’s budget, according to Capital Economics.Its analysts say this adds further downside risk to its Q4 GDP forecast of 0.0%.The £0.9bn rise in consumer credit in November was a bit lower than October’s rise of &poun
  
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• Evri delivered record 173 million parcels over Christmas

  03-01-2025 12:17 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Delivery giant Evri has reported its “best-ever” Christmas and peak trading period, delivering a record-breaking 173 million parcels in the nine weeks to 28 December 2024 – a 12% increase on the previous year.
  The company, formerly Hermes, also recorded its biggest individual trading week, handling 24.7 million parcels in the week following Black Friday as shoppers snapped up bargains during what the business termed “thrift-mas.”
  On its busiest day, 4 December, Evri
  
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• Iceland launches ‘biggest-ever deals event’ to beat the January pinch

  03-01-2025 12:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Iceland has joined Asda in kickstarting the year with its “biggest-ever deals event” to support families through January.
  The frozen food supermarket has expanded its £1 or less range to now include over 1,000 products, alongside the return of its £10 for 10, buy 2, get 1 free and half-price must-haves in store and online.
  Research commissioned by Iceland found that January is the most financially difficult month of the year for half of the population (50%).
  A further 50%
  
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• Laura Ashley bought by US owner of Ben Sherman

  03-01-2025 11:08
  
  British clothing and home furnishings brand sold by Gordon Brothers to Marquee BrandsLaura Ashley has been acquired by New York-based Marquee Brands, the owner of 17 businesses including Ben Sherman and Martha Stewart.The clothing and home furnishings brand, best known for its floaty floral frocks, has been sold by Gordon Brothers. Continue reading...
  
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• Sluggish December footfall caps ‘disappointing’ year

  03-01-2025 10:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Subdued footfall over the festive period capped a “disappointing” year for retail as it became the second in a row to see declining numbers hitting the stores, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported.
  The trade committee noted that while the Black Friday weekend had delivered more promising results in the Golden Quarter, they were overshadowed by a “lacklustre” holiday season.
  Total UK footfall in 2024 was down 2.2%, compared to 2023, and 2.5% lower in the three mont
  
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• Shein and Temu called for questioning over labour practices

  03-01-2025 10:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Shein and Temu have been called for questioning by a parliamentary committee over the rights of workers in its supply chain.
  The cross-party Business and Trade Committee has requested the presence of representatives from the two online giants to appear before them in a hearing on 7 January, Reuters reported.
  The committee, chaired by former Labour minister Liam Byrne, is investigating the government’s flagship employment rights bill in the context of protections for British workers. Relate
  
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• End Clothing plunges £43m into the red after warehouse troubles

  03-01-2025 10:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  End Clothing swung to a loss last year following a botched warehouse overhaul and a slowdown in demand that forced the business to cut its prices.
  The streetwear retailer’s parent company Ashworth & Parker posted a pre-tax loss of £43m in the year to end of March, down from a £9m profit the year before, as sales slipped 3.8% to £212.7m, The Times reported.
  The loss came mostly from impairments linked to the implementation of a new stock system in 2022, which End Cloth
  
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• UK retailers report 2.2% drop in December footfall, ending ‘disappointing year’ – business live

  03-01-2025 09:39
  
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news‘Drab December’ caps another year of declining footfall on UK high streetFull story: High streets and other shopping destinations have had a “drab December”, ending another year of falling visitor numbers and raising fears of disappointing sales in the most important month for retailers.Attendance at UK shopping centres, retail parks and high streets was down 2.2% in December compared with the same period in 2023,
  
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• From consoles to wearables: The electronics retail boom fueled by gaming and entertainment

  03-01-2025 09:37 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The ever-growing influence of gaming and entertainment has reshaped the electronics retail sector. In 2025, consumer demand for high-quality electronic devices, driven by the expansion of... View Article
  
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• First look: Zara opens ‘significantly upsized’ Liverpool ONE flagship

  03-01-2025 09:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Zara has opened the doors to “its significantly upsized flagship” on upper and lower South John Street at Liverpool ONE.
  The Spanish fashion giant’s new 42,000sq ft store has increased in size by 55% from 27,200sq ft – housing a larger collection of Zara’s menswear, womenswear, and childrenswear across two floors.The retailer said that “together with a more spacious interior, the flagship places the customer experience at the forefront, adopting the brand&rsqu
  
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• Laura Ashley acquired by Ben Sherman owner Marquee Brands

  03-01-2025 08:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Laura Ashley has been acquired by New York-based brand accelerator Marquee Brands, the owner of 17 brands including Ben Sherman, from global asset specialists Gordon Brothers.
  The deal will see Laura Ashley’s UK-based team retained as part of a strategy to expand Marquee Brands’ global footprint.
  The move includes the opening of its first European headquarters in London and increases the retail value of Marquee Brands’ portfolio to $4 billion (£3.23 billion).
  Marquee Bran
  
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• Laura Ashley acquired by Marquee Brands

  03-01-2025 08:28 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Laura Ashley has been acquired by Marquee Brands from Gordon Brothers. Following the purchase, the legacy home, fashion and lifestyle brand will be integrated into Marquee... View Article
  
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• Hugo Boss appoints new senior vice president of global marketing

  03-01-2025 08:27 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Hugo Boss has appointed James Foster as senior vice president of global marketing. He has succeeded Nadia Kokni who left the company in December to pursue... View Article
  
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• Asda announces price drops on thousands of products

  03-01-2025 07:43 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Asda is reducing the price of 2,500 household staples by an average of 26% as part of its Big Jan Price Drop initiative. Products with new... View Article
  
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• ‘Drab December’ caps another year of declining footfall on UK high street

  03-01-2025 06:00
  Visitor numbers at retail sites down 2.2% compared with 2023, raising fears of disappointing Christmas salesHigh streets and other shopping destinations have had a “drab December”, ending another year of falling visitor numbers and raising fears of disappointing sales in the most important month for retailers.Attendance at UK shopping centres, retail parks and high streets was down 2.2% in December compared with the same period in 2023, according to data from the British Retail Conso
  
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