Retail news

• Tesco, Sainsbury’s and M&S shares take £4bn hit amid Asda price war fears

  17-03-2025 19:03 via theguardian.com
  
  Asda claims to have ‘pretty significant war chest’ but analyst says it is unclear if it can commit to months of cutsMore than £4bn has been wiped off the value of Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer stock since Friday amid fears that rival Asda will step up the grocery price war.Tesco, the UK’s biggest supermarket, took the biggest hit as its share price fell more than 12% on Monday, while second-place Sainsbury’s was down more than 8%, with M&S dro
  
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• Tesco pumps millions into pay rises for store staff

  17-03-2025 17:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Tesco is investing £180m into increasing pay for thousands of its store employees from this month.
  Staff in the retailer’s supermarkets will see their hourly pay rise to £12.45 at the end of March and £12.64 in August. This will increase to £13.66 and then £13.85 in London.
  The new pay rates represent a rise of 5.2%, which retail trade union Usdaw said will widen the gap between the Real Living Wage. Related StoryTesco offers free food to shoppers to tackle fo
  
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• Forever 21 files for bankruptcy again amid pressure from fast-fashion rivals

  17-03-2025 15:17 via theguardian.com
  
  The retail chain is winding down US operations after years of struggles, having earlier filed for bankruptcy in 2019Forever 21’s US operator on Sunday filed for bankruptcy for the second time in six years and said it would wind down operations in the country, hurt by mounting online competition in the fast-fashion sector and weak mall traffic.The company blamed the situation on higher costs and foreign companies taking advantage of duty-free treatment of low-cost packages from China to und
  
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• Tesco, Sainsbury’s and M&S shares take £3.5bn hit amid Asda price war fears

  17-03-2025 13:36 via theguardian.com
  
  Asda claims to have ‘pretty significant war chest’ but analyst says it is unclear if it can commit to months of cutsBusiness live – latest updatesMore than £3.5bn has been wiped off the value of Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer’s stock since Friday amid fears that rival Asda will step up the grocery price war.Tesco, the UK’s biggest supermarket, took the biggest hit; its share price was down 10% by lunchtime on Monday, while second-place Sainsb
  
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• Matt Bradley: Championing retail, people, and the power of connection

  17-03-2025 12:46 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Matt Bradley has been part of the People in Retail Awards (PIRA) mission since day one. As an official ambassador and long-standing judge, he has played... View Article
  
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• Championing retail, people, and the power of connection

  17-03-2025 12:46 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  A conversation with Matt Bradley: Matt Bradley has been part of the People in Retail Awards (PIRA) mission since day one. As an official ambassador and... View Article
  
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• Go Outdoors rolls out body cameras to 25 more stores

  17-03-2025 12:28 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Go Outdoors is introducing body cameras to store staff at 25 more of its stores following a successful trail at its Stoke location.
  The retailer launched the safety measure at the end of February as part of its efforts to create a safer environment for both staff and customers amid the rise in retail crime.
  It reported that the initiative at the Stoke branch helped to deter theft and increase confidence amongst staff. Related StoryData: A quarter of shoppers witnessed shoplifting last year13/03/
  
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• Select Fashion on the verge of collapse with 35 stores to close

  17-03-2025 12:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Select Fashion is reportedly nearing collapse, with 35 stores forecast to shut throughout the UK.
  The brand has brought in advisors to handle a liquidation process, according to reports viewed by The Sun.
  It is believed that Select Fashion axed 35 sites by 14 March, having slashed stores since the beginning of the year.
  Although the clothing brand went into a company voluntary agreement last year with Moorfields, the restructuring specialist is now responsible for liquidating the firm.
  Staff mem
  
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• [ EBOOK ] From wrapping to returns: Unpacking the retailers’ seasonal returns dilemma

  17-03-2025 10:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Every year, millions of gifts are unwrapped—and millions are sent back. This year alone, UK consumers are expected to return 67 million gifts worth a staggering... View Article
  
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• The Body Coach and social media star, Joe Wicks, to HIIT up Retail Technology Show 2025 as keynote speaker

  17-03-2025 10:28 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Fitness coach and entrepreneur, Joe Wicks MBE, is confirmed to headline at the 2025 Retail Technology Show (RTS), the leading event that connects Europe’s most forward-thinking... View Article
  
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• Checkatrade partners with Koddi to expand its advertising offerings with enhanced capabilities and personalised ad delivery

  17-03-2025 10:27 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Partnership empowers tradespeople to grow their businesses with highly relevant ads Koddi, the leading retail and commerce media technology for enterprises, announced today a new partnership... View Article
  
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• Frasers Group closes Flannels Junior stores

  17-03-2025 10:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Flannels is closing three of its standalone kidswear Junior stores in Bluewater, Westfield Stratford and Westfield White City.
  The Frasers Group-owned retailer has launched closing down sales in the locations and store staff have been made redundant, Drapers reported.
  The units were previously occupied by Base Childrenswear, which Frasers acquired from JD Sports in December 2022 alongside 13 other businesses. Related StorySports Direct launches membership programme26/02/2025 x 8:04 AMThe group r
  
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• New Look to launch new concept store at Bluewater

  17-03-2025 10:13 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  New Look is relocating to a new 12,120sq ft concept store in Bluewater shopping centre, with the new site opening on 3 April.
  Located on the Upper Thames Walk area of the shopping centre, next to Clarendon Fine Art, the store will feature the fashion retailer’s first omni-hub space, with initiatives to streamline the shopper journey such as digital inspiration, showrooms and displays.
  The move comes despite New Look recently looking to speed up its store closure programme ahead of tax rise
  
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• Online merchants anticipate explosive growth in AI-powered fraud

  17-03-2025 09:56 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  E-commerce merchants are bracing themselves for a significant rise in AI-powered fraud over the next 12 months, according to a new report from fraud prevention platform... View Article
  
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• New Look to open new concept store at Bluewater

  17-03-2025 09:46 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  New Look is to relocate to a new 12,120 square foot concept store within the Bluewater shopping centre. Due to open on 3 April, it will... View Article
  
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• Defensive Merchandising: How can retailers reduce shrinkage without sacrificing sales?

  17-03-2025 09:45 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  By Daryl Bedford, Managing Director at Harrison Retail According to an annual crime survey from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), there were 20 million thefts committed... View Article
  
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• Matalan trading chief to lead Sainsbury’s clothing

  17-03-2025 09:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Matalan’s former chief trading officer Ben Smith, who departed in January, is set to take on a new role within Sainsbury’s clothing division.
  Smith is expected to replace Christine Kasoulis, who has been leading the supermarket’s clothing, home, and furniture business unit for nearly three years, Drapers reported.
  Kasoulis’ exit follows a 2.2% increase in sales for Sainsbury’s Tu Clothing brand during the 16 weeks to 4 January 2025. The supermarket chain, which oper
  
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• Fenwick calls in restructuring experts as losses mount and costs rise

  17-03-2025 09:16 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Fenwick has enlisted restructuring experts from AlixPartners to help address ongoing financial challenges, as the department store chain faces mounting losses and cost pressures.
  The family-owned retailer, which operates eight department stores across the UK, reported a pre-tax loss of £38.1m for the year to January 2024, following a 5.2% decline in sales.
  This comes after a £28.4m loss in the previous year, reflecting a broader decline in performance. The company has been in the red
  
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• Sainsbury’s CEO: ‘Nothing trumps value’ as price war pressure builds

  17-03-2025 08:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts has acknowledged the intensifying competition in the supermarket sector following Asda’s announcement to slash prices, but remains confident in his retailer’s ability to stay ahead.
  His comments come after Sainsbury’s shares dropped by 7.8%, losing £487m in value, following Asda’s commitment to reduce prices.
  In an interview with the Times, Roberts acknowledged the growing pressure, stating: “Nothing trumps value for money.
  
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• Dreams unveils new brand platform and campaign

  17-03-2025 08:56 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Dreams has launched a new multimillion pound brand platform and campaign to show how it can help customers find a perfect bed tailored to their specific... View Article
  
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• Advertising watchdog under fire for double standards in body image ads

  17-03-2025 08:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has come under fire for alleged double standards in its approach to body image regulation after it blocked an advert for Next while allowing campaigns featuring plus-size models.
  Last month, the ASA ruled that an online ad for Next’s “power stretch denim leggings” showcased an “unhealthily thin” model and was therefore irresponsible.
  Though according to the Sunday Times, the ruling sparked controversy, with critics questioni
  
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• Ex-Morrisons boss David Potts tipped for B&M CEO role

  17-03-2025 08:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Former Morrisons boss David Potts is among the leading contenders for the chief executive role at B&M, it has emerged.
  According to The Sunday Times, Potts is reported to have been in talks with the discounter for weeks about the position, which became vacant following Alex Russo’s departure last month.
  Two sources familiar with the recruitment process warned the title that no final decision has been made, and an appointment is not expected for several weeks.
  Potts is hailed for his ex
  
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• Asda warns of material hit to profit this year

  17-03-2025 07:29 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Asda has announced that it is to continue cutting prices and putting more staff on the shop floor as it reported that total revenue fell by... View Article
  
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• Specsavers, Benefit Cosmetics and more revealed as the UK’s Best Workplaces 2025

  17-03-2025 07:28 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Great Place To Work has announced that 17 retail companies feature in its highly anticipated UK’s Best Workplaces list for 2025. This year’s ranking features 350... View Article
  
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• Dreams launches campaign to help shoppers find a bed ‘that loves you back’

  17-03-2025 01:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Dreams has launched a new brand platform and campaign designed to help every customer find the perfect bed.
  The platform, dubbed ‘Finding you a bed that loves you back’, aims to help shoppers find the bed tailored to their specific needs and celebrates the two-way relationship people have with their bed.
  The brand platform is being launched in parallel with a new campaign, produced by Drummond Central, in which Dreams’ beds are brought to life and transformed into characters wi
  
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