Retail news

• US sues Pepsi over discounts to Walmart at expense of smaller rivals

  17-01-2025 19:48 via ft.com
  
  Federal Trade Commission accuses beverage company of discrimination by offering big retailer a ‘leg up’
  
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• FTSE 100 share index hits record high; relief for Rachel Reeves as UK borrowing costs fall – as it happened

  17-01-2025 18:22
  
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Britain’s blue chip share index hits new peak of 8533 pointsThe FTSE 100 has hit a record high after a strong start to the year.Since the beginning of January, the index has climbed by 3.75%, adding to the 5.7% it gained during the whole of 2024. Continue reading...
  
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• The Range unveils first-ever superstores featuring ‘Garden Centres by Homebase’

  17-01-2025 18:12 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Range has today celebrated the grand opening of three new concept Superstores in Birmingham Kings Heath, Pollokshaws, and Christchurch, marking a significant milestone in its... View Article
  
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• Busting myths: How retail can offer long and rewarding careers

  17-01-2025 17:03 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Some might argue that retail store positions are better suited to those seeking short-term jobs or a stepping stone towards their ‘forever career.’ However, in retailers... View Article
  
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• Skin is in: as sales of thong bikinis rise, is body confidence also growing?

  17-01-2025 17:00
  
  A Sydney council’s ban on ‘inappropriate’ swimwear stirs a wider debate over complex feelings about women’s bottomsWhen it comes to clothing advice for women, the “rules” are endless. They range from sizeist – “avoid horizontal stripes if you have a wider frame”, to ageist – “don’t wear a crop top over 50”. Now Australia is weighing in. A council in Greater Sydney has banned thong and g-string bikinis at its public swi
  
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• FTSE 100 share index hits record high; relief for Rachel Reeves as UK borrowing costs fall – business live

  17-01-2025 14:01
  
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Britain’s blue chip share index hits new peak of 8506.80 pointsThe FTSE 100 has hit a record high after a strong start to the year.Since the beginning of January, the index has climbed by 3.75%, adding to the 5.7% it gained during the whole of 2024. Continue reading...
  
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• In pictures: The Range opens first rebranded Homebase store

  17-01-2025 12:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Range has opened its first set of rebranded Homebase stores following its acquisition of the DIY retailer last November.
  The discount giant unveiled its converted branch in Christchurch in Bournemouth, which stocks the retailer‘s full range and is one of the first to display its new ‘Garden Centres by Homebase’ concept.Today (17 Januarry) also marked the opening of The Range superstores in Pollokshaws in Glasgow and Kings Heath in Birmingham.Related StoryNext batch of Homeb
  
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• FTSE 100 share index hits record high as City anticipates interest rate cuts – business live

  17-01-2025 11:18
  
  Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Britain’s blue chip share index hits new peak of 8480 pointsThe FTSE 100 has hit a record high after a strong start to the year.Since the beginning of January, the index has climbed by 3.75%, adding to the 5.7% it gained during the whole of 2024. Continue reading...
  
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• Next CEO Lord Wolfson: National Insurance hike will hit entry-level jobs

  17-01-2025 10:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Next CEO Lord Wolfson has warned upcoming tax changes in April, including an increase in National Insurance, will make it harder for individuals to “enter the workforce”.
  Speaking to the BBC, Wolfson warned that the higher NI contributions required from employers will have a significant impact on the retail sector. He added that “the axe [had] fallen particularly hard” on entry-level positions.
  To ease the burden, he is urging the government to implement the tax changes g
  
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• Aldi to open nine new stores in London this year

  17-01-2025 10:10 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Aldi is to open nine stores in London this year as part of a £55 million investment within the M25.   Today, the supermarket said four of... View Article
  
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• Lidl to make big change to packaging

  17-01-2025 10:08 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Lidl will be removing all packaging designs deemed attractive to children from its least healthy own-brand products. With the change due to be made by mid-2025,... View Article
  
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• Battersea Power Station to see opening of new exhibition venue

  17-01-2025 10:07 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Battersea Power Station is to see a new exhibition space launch at its south London location. The new venue, called NEON, will be situated next to... View Article
  
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• Amazon ditches own-label ready meals in favour of Morrisons

  17-01-2025 09:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Amazon has removed its own-label ready meal range, ByAmazon, from both Amazon Fresh stores and its online platform, replacing it with a selection of Morrisons’ The Best products.
  The online giant, which operates 21 physical stores in the UK, all of which are located in London except for its Sevenoaks store in Kent, confirmed the withdrawal of the ByAmazon ready meal offering.
  “Like all retailers, we continually review our range and test new selection with customers,” an Amazon
  
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• 12 retailers on store expansion sprees in 2025

  17-01-2025 09:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The UK’s retail scene is set to welcome a host of new stores this year, including Ikea’s long awaited Oxford Street flagship.
  While some brands such as HMV and The Entertainer have placed expansion plans on pause as they deal with the fallout from the Budget, some are racing ahead with a raft of new shops. Retail Gazette takes a look at the retailers opening stores in 2025.
  The RangeThe Range is ramping up its expansion plans this year as it looks to open 10 new superstores each mont
  
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• Food stores in Great Britain have worst Christmas since 2013

  17-01-2025 09:25
  Overall retail sales volumes fall by 0.3% in December amid weak ‘golden quarter’ of tradingBusiness live – latest updatesRetailers in Great Britain experienced a surprise fall in sales volumes last month, as supermarkets and other food stores had their worst Christmas since 2013, according to official figures.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said sales volumes fell 0.3% month on month in December, as the crucial retailing “golden quarter” of trading for the
  
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• Aldi to open nine London stores this year as part of £55m investment

  17-01-2025 09:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi is set to open nine new stores in the capital this year as part of a £55m investment within the M25.  
  “Building on its promise to bring unbeatable value to even more Londoners”, the German discounter said shoppers in Wimbledon, Fulham Broadway, Caterham and Orpington are all set to benefit from a new Aldi store in 2025.
  The openings form part of the grocer’s £650m investment in Britain throughout this year, which it announced last month.
  The investme
  
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• Next batch of Homebase stores to reopen as The Range by end of January

  17-01-2025 09:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  CDS Superstores, the parent company of The Range, wilko, and Homebase, is set to relaunch three former Homebase stores as The Range Superstores by the end of January.
  The new openings in Stroud, Leicester, and Blandford Forum will mark the latest step in the company’s transformation of up to 70 ex-Homebase locations since its acquisition.
  The new stores, which will open on 31 January, will offer customers a “fresh shopping experience” by combining The Range’s renowned pro
  
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• DFS boosted by improved performance in first half

  17-01-2025 08:49 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  DFS has reported an improved performance in the first half of its financial year after it benefited from market share gains, lower operating costs and gross... View Article
  
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• Retail sales drop unexpectedly in December amid ‘poor’ supermarket sales

  17-01-2025 08:48 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retail sales fell unexpectedly in the run-up to Christmas, slipping 0.3% in December, according to latest official figures.
  It follows a 0.1% increase in November, revised down from a previous estimate of a 0.2% rise.
  Analysts had been expecting sales to rise by 0.4% in December, with shoppers stocking up ahead of Christmas.
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said food sale volumes, mainly from supermarkets, were down 1.9% last month, while non-food stores were up 1.1%.
  Mea
  
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• Retail sales fell by 0.3% in December

  17-01-2025 08:39 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Retail sales volumes fell in December with a drop of 0.3% as people were more cautious about their Christmas spending. This followed a small rise of... View Article
  
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• Sustainability in retail: Five key trends driving the demand for responsible business

  17-01-2025 08:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Sustainability has evolved from a niche consideration to a core business strategy, especially in the retail sector. As consumers grow more aware of the environmental and social impacts of their purchases, businesses face pressure to show responsible practices.
  A 2023 McKinsey report revealed that 60 per cent of global consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable products, indicating a shift toward ethical consumption. As this demand expands, retailers have to adapt to stay competitive.
  
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• DFS sees ‘improved performance’ as market share gains drive growth

  17-01-2025 08:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  DFS has reported strong trading for the first half of its financial year, driven by market share gains, cost efficiencies, and improved gross margins.
  For the 26 weeks to 29 December, the furniture retailer posted a pre-tax profit of approximately £16–17m, representing a year-on-year increase of £7–8m.
  DFS, which also owns the Sofology brand, recorded a 10.1% increase in group order intake, with Sofology achieving an impressive 19.1% uplift.
  Gross delivered sales rose by
  
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• British retail sales unexpectedly drop in December

  17-01-2025 08:18 via ft.com
  
  Goods bought fall 0.3% from November versus forecasts of 0.4% growth as food sales dip
  
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• John Lewis teams up with Tapi Carpets to launch in-store concessions

  17-01-2025 08:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  John Lewis has launched a new partnership with Tapi Carpets, which will see the launch of dedicated concessions in 17 of its stores.
  The rollout is set to begin next month at the retailer’s Oxford Street flagship, with all concessions expected to be operational by summer 2025, Retail Week reported.
  The tie-up comes after the collapse of John Lewis’s previous flooring partner, The Floor Room, which entered administration last August following the financial struggles of its parent comp
  
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• Sainsbury’s opens first store of 2025

  17-01-2025 08:07 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Sainsbury’s has opened  its first new store of 2025 in London’s Edgware. Spanning 2,626 square feet. the Burnt Oak Broadway Local store offers a range of... View Article
  
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• Specsavers takes new store at Derby’s M Park Farm

  17-01-2025 08:01 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Specsavers has become the latest tenant at Derby’s M Park Farm Shopping Centre. The optician has taken a ten-year lease for 2,526 square feet of retail... View Article
  
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• Speedier drug trials and better films: how AI is transforming businesses

  17-01-2025 07:00
  
  From aviation to retail, many industries are already looking to artificial intelligence to improve productivityKeir Starmer this week announced a 50-point plan that aims to give the UK world leader status in artificial intelligence and grow the economy by as much as £47bn a year over a decade.The multibillion-pound investment, which seeks to create a 20-fold increase in the amount of AI computing power under public control by 2030, has been framed as a gamechanger for businesses and public
  
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• Luxury’s ‘America first’ moment

  17-01-2025 06:00 via ft.com
  
  Flush stock market investors and newly-minted crypto bros have clearly been busy with festive shopping
  
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• Starbucks director Hobson to leave board after two-decade tenure

  17-01-2025 00:01 via ft.com
  Ally of pioneering former leader Howard Schultz announced resignation in a letter on Thursday
  
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