Retail news

• WHSmith in talks to sell its UK high street shops

  26-01-2025 19:44 via ft.com
  
  Company is exploring strategic options and may concentrate on its travel business
  
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• WH Smith puts UK high street stores up for sale creating uncertainty for workers

  26-01-2025 19:08
  
  Surprise move frees up parent company of 232-year-old chain to focus on successful travel armThe WH Smith name could disappear from the high street after its owner hoisted the “for sale” sign over its legacy retail business, in a surprise move that creates uncertainty for its 5,000 staff.This weekend, the eponymous parent company, which is listed on the stock market, confirmed it is seeking a buyer for its 500 UK high street stores, in a shake-up that would free it up to focus on its
  
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• The Original Factory Shop nears sale to In The Style owner

  26-01-2025 14:20 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) is close to being sold after more than 17 years under the ownership of private equity firm Duke Street Capital.
  Baaj Capital, a family office behind investments in fashion retailer  In The Style and Amscan International, is the leading contender to acquire the discount retail chain, Sky News has learnt.
  Sources say that while a deal has not yet been finalised, an announcement could come as soon as next week.
  Other potential buyers reportedly included Mike As
  
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• Sainsbury’s clothing, home and furniture boss to depart

  26-01-2025 14:04 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Sainsbury’s business unit director for clothing, home, and furniture, Christine Kasoulis, is set to leave the retailer after two and a half years.
  Kasoulis joined the supermarket chain in May 2022 from John Lewis, where she held various leadership roles, including director of brand development and category director for fashion and beauty.
  Her career at John Lewis began in 1989 in fashion buying, and she later became brand director in 2009, followed by buying director for home in 2013. In 2
  
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• Waitrose v M&S: free coffee, longer toilet paper and the battle to win over the middle class shopper

  26-01-2025 14:00
  
  Fancy food halls and freebies are tactics in the store wars. But do customers truly care where they shop?“We’re sorry the machine isn’t working now.” This was the crushing notice greeting shoppers looking for a free hit last week in Waitrose’s Finchley Road store in north London. The unpalatable fact was that neither of the two complimentary coffee makers were in operation.Taking into account apocalyptic fires and geopolitical instability, this mechanical breakdown
  
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• PrettyLittleThing to axe jobs at Manchester HQ

  26-01-2025 13:55 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  PrettyLittleThing (PLT) is set to cut more than 50 jobs at its Manchester head office as it joins the ranks of retailers slashing jobs this year.
  The latest round of redundancies at the Boohoo Group owned fashion retailer was communicated to affected staff members during a video call last week, Drapers reported.
  The move follows a previous announcement in December, when Boohoo Group said it was planning job cuts impacting approximately 200 roles across its brands, including Boohoo and PLT. Relat
  
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• WHSmith in talks to sell all 500 UK high street stores in strategic shift

  26-01-2025 13:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  WHSmith is in talks to sell its high street stores, more than two centuries after it opened its first shop in London.
  The retailer, known for its stationery, books, and newsstands, confirmed on Saturday (25 January) that it is “exploring potential strategic options” for its 500 high street stores, including a potential sale.
  In recent years, WH Smith has increasingly focused its efforts on its travel retail business.
  The company now operates more than 1,200 stores across airports, tr
  
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• WHSmith in talks to sell 500 UK high street stores in strategic shift

  26-01-2025 13:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  WHSmith is in talks to sell its high street stores, more than two centuries after it opened its first shop in London.
  The retailer, known for its stationery, books, and newsstands, confirmed on Saturday (25 January) that it is “exploring potential strategic options” for its 500 high street stores, including a potential sale.
  In recent years, WH Smith has increasingly focused its efforts on its travel retail business.
  The company now operates more than 1,200 stores across airports, tr
  
  Read more

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