Retail news

• Gravity finally catches up with WH Smith on the high street

  27-01-2025 19:56
  
  Despite the retailer being a recent example of pragmatic management, the pandemic may have sealed its fateWH Smith sale plan could turn some areas into ‘postal deserts’, says unionIn its small way, WH Smith is one of the most remarkable retailing stories of the past 20 years. In the early 2000s, a likely fate for a business built on books, stationery, newspapers, CDs and DVDs looked to be “death by Amazon”. What transpired was a textbook display of pragmatic management.Un
  
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• WH Smith sale plan could turn some areas into ‘postal deserts’, says union

  27-01-2025 19:41
  
  Retailer operates 200 post offices and potential closures called ‘devastating, but sadly all too predictable’Nils Pratley: gravity finally catches up with WH Smith on the high streetThe planned sale of WH Smith’s high street stores could turn some communities into “postal deserts” because 200 post offices are operated in the retailer’s shops, a union has warned.“These potential closures are devastating, but they are sadly all too predictable,” the
  
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• Microsoft to close Oxford Street flagship

  27-01-2025 14:38 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Microsoft is closing its Oxford Street flagship, as the tech giant pushes for “digital growth”.
  The company said it would be closing its 21,000 sq ft store in February, six years after opening in 2019.
  A Microsoft spokesman said: “To better align with its focus on digital growth, Microsoft has decided to exit the lease at the Microsoft Experience Centre in London early.
  “We regularly review our locations and our workforce to ensure we are aligning to market opportunities
  
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• Hobbycraft owner eyes WHSmith’s high street business

  27-01-2025 14:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital is among a number of parties circling WHSmith’s 232-year-old high street chain.
  Modella, which acquired the crafts retailer in August, is understood to have held discussions with WHSmith and its advisors, Sky News reported.
  However, it remains unclear on how close the firm is to completing a deal.
  Modella is thought to one of several experienced retail investors, including Bensons for Beds owner Alteri, bidding for the retailer’s 500+ store portfolio.
  
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• The Best E-Commerce Tools and Technologies for Retailers

  27-01-2025 14:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  In order to ensure that your business is competitive, you need to choose the right e-commerce tools and technologies. The fast and evolving pace of the... View Article
  
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• Asda, Lidl and Co-op among retailers behind national sector skills review

  27-01-2025 12:43 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  A national steering group including representatives of Lidl, Co-op and Asda has launched a public consultation on the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the retail sector.... View Article
  
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• Starbucks cracks down on freeloaders to reverse sales decline

  27-01-2025 11:00 via ft.com
  
  Coffee chain launches plan to get more paying customers back in stores as it reports fewer transactions
  
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• Hotel Chocolat posts record Christmas sales as it expands in the US

  27-01-2025 10:53 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Hotel Chocolat has been celebrating its most successful Christmas to date after sales rose by 10.4% in the four weeks to 29 December. The premium chocolatier... View Article
  
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• Hotel Chocolat celebrates record Christmas sales

  27-01-2025 10:43 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Hotel Chocolat saw record UK sales over the key Christmas period, as it geared up to open a series of new stores.
  Sales at the business soared 10.4% year on year for the 4 weeks to 29 December, with the 21 and 23 December being its busiest shopping days both online and in-store.
  The chocolatier’s Velvetiser in-store cafes also grew 33% year on year.
  Hotel Chocolat founder and global CEO Angus Thirlwell said: “This Christmas was our most successful to date and testament to the dedicat
  
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• Dr. Martens makes progress on turnaround

  27-01-2025 09:47 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Dr. Martens has said it is making good progress with its turnaround as it reported an uplift in third quarter revenue. In the 13 weeks to... View Article
  
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• Lush co-founder’s son accuses Chancellor of ‘asset stripping’ businesses

  27-01-2025 09:35 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Lush executive Jack Constantine has accused Chancellor Rachel Reeves of “asset stripping” businesses following the government’s changes to inheritance tax.
  The chief digital officer, who is the son of co-founders Mark and Mo Constantine, told The Telegraph that the government was “sucking” profits out from companies and pushing them away from being entrepreneurially run.
  In last year’s Budget, Reeves revealed plans to reduce the relief entrepreneurs can claim
  
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• Weird Fish Christmas sales surge 9%

  27-01-2025 09:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Weird Fish reported a 9% increase in sales over the Christmas period, driven by discounting, third-party partnerships and new shop openings.
  The fashion retailer said sales during November and December hit £11.4m, pushing its full-year revenue up 12% to £42.7m and doubling its EBITDA to £5.3m.
  It said better coordinated marketing campaigns across all channels led to reduced discounting and saw an increase in the value of average basket size.
  Weird Fish launched new third-party
  
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• WH Smith in talks to sell high street stores

  27-01-2025 09:08 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  WH Smith is talks to sell its high street stores as it looks to focus on its travel business. Responding to press speculation, the retailer issued... View Article
  
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• Paramount Retail hails Montezuma’s turnaround

  27-01-2025 09:07 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Montezuma’s has returned to profit since joining the Paramount Retail Group family in May 2023. The group has announced that after a year the chocolatier’s  annual... View Article
  
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• Sainsbury’s clothing and home head to leave the business

  27-01-2025 09:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Christine Kasoulis, Sainsbury’s business unit director for clothing and home, is to leave the supermarket. According to Drapers, she is set to step down after two... View Article
  
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• From job cuts to self-service, how are retailers cutting costs in 2025?

  27-01-2025 09:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Despite being at the start of 2025, a host of retailers have wasted no time cutting jobs as part of various cost-saving measures.
  It emerged last week that Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and River Island were just some of the few that had launched consultations with staff members as they looked to collectively shed thousands of jobs.
  The British Retail Consortium reported earlier this month that around half of retailers are planning to reduce their headcount and number of hours this year, while ov
  
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• Dr Martens makes ‘good progress’ on turnaround as third quarter sales rise

  27-01-2025 08:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Dr Martens said it made “good progress” on its turnaround efforts as third quarter trading was “as expected”.
  The footwear retailer reported a 3% rise in group sales on a constant currency basis to £267m in the 13 weeks to 29 December, up from £260m.
  Its direct-to-consumer (DTC) channel edged up 1%, which it said was a result of a 2% rise in ecommerce helping to offset the 1% dip in retail revenue.
  Wholesale revenue jumped 9%, performing in line with expectati
  
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• Asda restarts search for new CEO

  27-01-2025 08:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda chair Allan Leighton has restarted the supermarket’s search for a new chief executive following a failed effort by his predecessor Lord Rose.
  Leighton, who returned to the business in November after 24 years, is thought to be seeking a candidate who he can work alongside rather than oversee, The Telegraph reported.
  The move means that Leighton will maintain significant involvement in Asda’s turnaround strategy as he looks to steer the retailer through tough competition and
  
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• Supermarkets cash in with in-store radio, even as shoppers tune out

  27-01-2025 05:00 via ft.com
  
  Tesco, M&S and Iceland among those extolling the benefits of playing music and promotional messages
  
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