Retail news

• Loopi launches to revolutionise second-hand fashion in the UK

  21-01-2025 16:39 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  A new online platform, Loopi, has launched in the UK, aiming to streamline the buying and selling of second-hand clothing. Loopi seeks to simplify the resale... View Article
  
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• Harlow welcomes The Perfume Shop’s new experiential store

  21-01-2025 16:28 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Perfume Shop has unveiled a scent-sational new addition with the opening of its latest experiential store at Unit 26d, Harvey Centre, Harlow, CM20 1XW. Opening... View Article
  
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• WHSmith to close 17 stores this year as it streamlines operations

  21-01-2025 16:15 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  WHSmith is set to shut 17 stores across the UK in the coming months, as part of its ongoing restructuring strategy.The retailer, which operates over 1,100 locations nationwide, has already seen several closures since 2023, with more planned for 2025.
  The latest round will take place between now and May, following a shift in WHSmith’s focus, as it focuses on streamlining operations and shifting its footprint to more profitable locations.
  In 2023, CEO Carl Cowling confirmed that WHSmith woul
  
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• Shifting to automated scheduling

  21-01-2025 15:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  By Glynn Davis With the costs of employing people continuing to rise the need to accurately deploy labour across retail businesses is becoming increasingly critical to... View Article
  
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• ‘Pocket money’ toys costing less than £10 sell well as UK parents cut costs

  21-01-2025 13:29
  Toy sales fell in 2024 but industry reports growth in ‘kidult’ collectors of expensive Lego building setsBusiness live – latest updates“Pocket money” toys that actually fit in your pocket have become increasingly popular in the struggling sector as parents seek out cheaper playsets and “kidults” collect mini-figurines based on films and TV shows.In 2024 UK toy sales declined 3.7% to £3.4bn, according to an annual industry report by the market resea
  
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• Boohoo shareholders ‘overwhelmingly reject’ Frasers’ bid to oust Mahmud Kamani

  21-01-2025 13:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Boohoo Group shareholders have “overwhelmingly” voted against Frasers Group’s proposal to remove Mahmud Kamani, the fashion group’s founder and executive vice chair, from the board.
  At a General Meeting held today (21 January), the resolution was rejected, with 63.17% of votes cast against the proposal. The final vote count showed 703 million votes against, compared to just 409 million in support.
  The outcome follows previous shareholder resistance to Frasers’ actio
  
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• Shoe Zone annual profit declines after tougher second half

  21-01-2025 12:35 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Shoe Zone has a posted a drop in profit and revenue for the 52 weeks to 28 September after trading became tougher in its second half,... View Article
  
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• Four retailers that have U-turned on flexible working policies

  21-01-2025 12:15 via retailgazette.co.uk
  At the start of the week, former Asda chairman Lord Stuart Rose sparked debate by criticising remote working, claiming it has fostered a generation of employees who are “not doing proper work.”
  Rose argued that the rise of remote work post-pandemic is damaging productivity across industries, with retail being one of the hardest-hit sectors.
  His remarks follow Asda’s move in November to call its 5,000 head office staff back to the office for at least three days a week, abandonin
  
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• 4 retailers who have U-turned on flexible working policies

  21-01-2025 12:15 via retailgazette.co.uk
  At the start of the week, former Asda chairman Lord Stuart Rose sparked debate by criticising remote working, claiming it has fostered a generation of employees who are “not doing proper work.”
  Rose argued that the rise of remote work post-pandemic is damaging productivity across industries, with retail being one of the hardest-hit sectors.
  His remarks follow Asda’s move in November to call its 5,000 head office staff back to the office for at least three days a week, abandonin
  
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• Asda poaches Morrisons exec for newly created chief supply chain officer role

  21-01-2025 11:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda is welcoming back David Lepley to the supermarket as its chief supply chain officer to lead its food and general merchandise supply operations. 
  Lepley joins in the newly created role from Morrisons, where he served as executive group operations director of the grocery giant.
  The move marks a return home for the exec, having previously spent over 11 years with Asda, starting as a Christmas temp and leaving the retailer as vice president online grocery operations.
  The appointment forms
  
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• John Lewis Money strikes multi-year sponsorship deal with England Rugby

  21-01-2025 11:04 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  John Lewis Money has been named an official partner of the England national rugby team ahead of the upcoming 2025 Six Nations Championship.
  The move will see the financial services arm of the the retailer supporting both the men’s and women’s sides, with its branding set to feature at locations throughout Twickenham Stadium from 8 February for all England home matches.
  The partnership will also include a variety of perks for John Lewis Money customers who will be able
  
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• John Lewis rolls out AI age checks to sell knives online

  21-01-2025 10:54 via retailgazette.co.uk
  John Lewis has become the first UK retailer to implement AI-powered age checks for online knife sales, in a move to prevent under-18s from purchasing kitchen knives.
  The technology, developed by British company Yoti, uses facial age estimation to verify the buyer’s age.
  Customers must consent to having their face scanned, and the AI provides a result within seconds, confirming whether the purchaser is over 18, according to The Times.
  This new system marks the return of online knife sales a
  
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• Asda to kickstart price war against rivals with major Rollback campaign

  21-01-2025 10:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda is set to roll out its largest Rollback price cuts campaign in years, as returning CEO Allan Leighton aims to steer the retailer through tough competition and revitalise its performance.
  The supermarket chain has faced mounting pressure from both discounters and rival traditional retailers, and emerged as the worst-performing supermarket over the Christmas period.
  As part of a major turnaround effort, Leighton is launching an extensive advertising campaign to support the price cuts, which w
  
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• Alo Yoga opens Covent Garden flagship as UK expansion continues

  21-01-2025 10:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Alo Yoga has opened a new flagship store in Covent Garden’s Seven Dials, as the American activewear brand steams ahead with its UK expansion.
  Located at 25a Neal Street, the 5,000sq ft store features brand’s luxury collections of lifestyle and activewear, including contemporary and trend-forward loungewear, accessories and wellness products.
  Spread across three floors, the interior of the space matches the retailer’s Californian heritage, a fresh and bright aesthetic.Related St
  
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• Primark unveils new adaptive clothing collection

  21-01-2025 09:22 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Primark has unveiled its new adaptive clothing collection that has been created in partnership with adaptive fashion designer and disability advocate, Victoria Jenkins (pictured). The move... View Article
  
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• Shoe Zone profits and revenues slide in ‘year of two halves’

  21-01-2025 09:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Shoe Zone has reported a decline in both revenues and profits for its latest financial year, following a second half impacted by the “weakening of consumer confidence and unseasonal weather conditions”.
  For the year to 28 September 2024, the footwear retailer posted revenues of £161.3m, down from £165.6m the previous year.
  Pre-tax profits fell to £10.1m, down from £16.2m the previous year. Store sales also dropped to £126.1m from £134.8m, due to lo
  
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• Kerv announces strategic partnership with the Retail Trust to support the wellbeing of the retail workforce

  21-01-2025 09:13 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Kerv, a leading cloud-centric managed services provider, is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with the Retail Trust, the UK retail industry charity dedicated to... View Article
  
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• Iceland predicts ‘transformative growth’ for frozen food this year

  21-01-2025 09:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Iceland is forecasting that 2025 will be the year frozen food sees “transformative growth” in the UK, as British shoppers are expected to follow the trend set by their American counterparts.
  Frozen food sales in the US surged by 54% towards the end of 2024, and the frozen food specialist’s chief commercial officer Paul Dhaliwal believes the UK will mirror this shift, driven by rising costs and the increasing demand for sustainable and cost-effective grocery options.
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• Aldi outpaces rivals with highest hourly pay rate for supermarket workers

  21-01-2025 08:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi has announced a pay increase for its store assistants, raising hourly rates to at least £12.71 nationally and £14.00 within the M25, cementing its position as the best-paying supermarket in the UK.
  Pay for store assistants will rise further based on length of service, reaching £13.62 nationally and £14.23 within the M25. The changes will take effect from Saturday 1st March 2025.
  The German discounter continues to stand out in the sector as the only supermarket to off
  
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• In pictures: Gymshark’s new modest activewear range with influencer Leana Deeb

  21-01-2025 08:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Gymshark has launched a new modest activewear range with Muslim fitness content creator and YouTube, TikTok and Instagram star Leana Deeb.
  With this collection, the pair said they are “are empowering women who dress modestly to embrace fitness and fashion without compromise”.
  According to the British gymwear giant, the collection “addresses a significant gap in the fitness industry, empowering women who dress modestly to train confidently and comfortably”.
  The collec
  
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• Primark expands adaptive clothing range with Victoria Jenkins

  21-01-2025 08:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Primark has unveiled its most comprehensive adaptive clothing range yet, developed in collaboration with disability advocate and Unhidden founder Victoria Jenkins.
  Following the release of an adaptive lingerie range in January 2024 and a subsequent summer collection in with Jenkins in July this new 49-piece range includes wardrobe staples such as jumpers, jeans, T-shirts and trench coats with adaptive features.
  These include magnetic zippers, hidden openings for tube, stoma or catheter access, e
  
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• Comment: Are Gen Zs really any different?

  21-01-2025 08:05 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  During my lifetime retailers and other consumer-focused businesses have been perennially obsessed with appealing to the youth market. This is despite the fact that at any... View Article
  
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• Mulberry finance chief to step down

  21-01-2025 07:56 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Mulberry Group  has announced that its group finance director has notified its board of his intention to resign. Charles Anderson will step down from the board... View Article
  
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• Toolstation rolls out rapid delivery service across UK

  21-01-2025 07:35 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Toolstation is rolling out its rapid delivery service to over 460 UK stores as it looks to meet growing demand for on-site delivery from tradespeople and... View Article
  
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• THG Ingenuity hires Lucy Cooper as chief commercial officer

  21-01-2025 07:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  THG Ingenuity has appointed Lucy Cooper as chief commercial officer. In her new role, she will play a key role in driving the company’s growth agenda... View Article
  
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• Robot packers and AI cameras: UK retail embraces automation to cut staff costs

  21-01-2025 07:00
  
  From electronic shelf labels to more self-service checkouts, automation is coming to your local supermarketElectronic shelf labels, returns machines, robot bag packers and yet more self-service tills – just some of the many technologies that UK retailers are embracing as they try to solve the problem of rising labour costs.Investment in automation was a constant drumbeat amid the flurry of festive trading updates from big retailers in the past few weeks, as they face higher staffing bills
  
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