Retail news

• Retail sector Budget reaction “Support still missing for struggling businesses”

  26-03-2025 18:07 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The retail community has responded with disappointment and concern following today’s Spring Statement, warning that a lack of immediate relief will heap further pressure on an... View Article
  
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• Waitrose trials ‘personalised’ deli counters

  26-03-2025 16:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Waitrose is testing new “personalised” services at its deli counters as it looks to invests in the customer proposition.
  The upmarket supermarket has started selling hot pies and pasties at its stores in St Katherine’s Dock, London and Farnham, The Grocer reported.
  It is also trialling a new food-to-order service where customers can request freshly prepared sandwiches at its London King’s Road and Andover branches.
  Waitrose has leaned into its counter proposition as part
  
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• Waitrose trails ‘personalised’ deli counters

  26-03-2025 16:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Waitrose is testing new “personalised” services at its deli counters as it looks to invests in the customer proposition.
  The upmarket supermarket has started selling hot pies and pasties at its stores in St Katherine’s Dock, London and Farnham, The Grocer reported.
  It is also trialling a new food-to-order service where customers can request freshly prepared sandwiches at its London King’s Road and Andover branches.
  Waitrose has leaned into its counter proposition as part
  
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• Lakeland latest retailer targeted by Modella Capital

  26-03-2025 15:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Lakeland has become the latest takeover target for Modella Capital, which owns Hobbycraft and The Original Factory Shop.
  The firm, which is one of two remaining parties in discussions to snap up WHSmith’s 500 store high street business, is among a small group of potential suitors to acquire a controlling stake in the homewares chain, Sky News reported.
  Lakeland is also thought to have drawn interest from former Homebase owner Hilco. Related StoryThe Original Factory Shop owner plots store
  
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• Morrisons raises savings target to £1bn as turnaround gains pace

  26-03-2025 13:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Morrisons has increased its cost savings target to £1bn after posting an uptick in first quarter sales.
  The supermarket saw group revenues rise 2.4% to £4bn in the 13 weeks to 26 January, up 2.1% on a like-for-like basis bolstered by a strong performance of its More Card loyalty scheme.
  Chief executive Rami Baitiéh said the retailer had “made exceptional progress in a very short time” against its £700m saving target, as it delivered a further £56m in sa
  
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• Confidence plummeting among UK food and drink manufacturers, survey shows

  26-03-2025 13:08
  
  Food and Drink Federation says business confidence fell to -47% amid inflation, energy and labour pressuresConfidence is tumbling among Britain’s food and drink manufacturers, as inflationary pressures including energy, labour and raw material costs gain pace, according to a survey by the industry body.Business confidence plummeted to -47% in the final three months of last year, according to the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), down from -6% in the previous quarter, as companies in the sec
  
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• Reveal launches R1 body camera to boost safety and confidence in retail

  26-03-2025 11:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Reveal, the global supplier of body-worn video technology based in London, has today announced the launch of the R1, a next-generation body camera purpose-built to enhance... View Article
  
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• Deliveroo offers riders access to free 24/7 GP appointments

  26-03-2025 10:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Deliveroo has become the first instant delivery service to provide its riders with access to free virtual GP appointments.
  The platform’s riders can now consult with a UK-registered GP 24/7 over the phone or video, free of charge.
  In partnership with insurance firm Chubb and healthcare provider Teladoc Health, the service allows delivery drivers to discuss any medical concerns with a UK-registered GP at a convenient time for them.
  It is the latest initiative from Deliveroo as part of
  
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• Data: Food inflation due to rise throughout 2025

  26-03-2025 10:39 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Food inflation remained stable in February, while the overall headline inflation rate decreased slightly, according to the latest consumer price index (CPI) figures.
  Despite ongoing cost pressures, food inflation stayed at 3.3% throughout the month, with some dairy products such as milk, cheese, and eggs seeing slight price drops.
  However, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) noted that food inflation is forecast to rise in 2025 due to continuing pressures, including tax changes set to affect the
  
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• UK inflation slows more than expected to 2.8%

  26-03-2025 10:33
  Fall in clothing prices drives decline but services inflation holds at 5% in February
  
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• Home Bargains breaks ground on new Doncaster distribution centre

  26-03-2025 10:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Home Bargains has begun construction on a new distribution centre that will supply more than 300 stores around the UK.
  The discount chain said the new warehouse “marks a significant milestone in the expansion of TJ Morris’ national distribution network”, The Grocer reported.
  The one millionsq ft Doncaster site, due to complete in October 2026, is designed to “enhance logistics efficiency, create new job opportunities, and support Home Bargains’ expansion plans&rdquo
  
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• Optimising your retail SEO for eco-conscious consumers

  26-03-2025 09:16 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  In the last few years, environmental awareness and an interest in sustainability has exploded as a response to the growing threat of climate change. Studies by... View Article
  
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• Virgin Wines hails resilient first half as it announces growth plan

  26-03-2025 09:10 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Virgin Wines UK has reported an “resilient” first half performance following strong Christmas trading. In the six months to 27 December, total revenue was broadly flat... View Article
  
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• Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group raises AO World stake

  26-03-2025 08:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Frasers Group has raised its stake in online electricals retailer AO World to 25.01%, up from 24.02%, according to a recent regulatory filing.
  This move strengthens the Sports Direct owner’s position as the second-largest shareholder in the business, following the retailer’s recent positive trading update.
  This week AO World raised its full-year profit forecast, with adjusted pre-tax profits expected to be between £39m and £44m for the year ending March 31, 2025.
  Fraser&r
  
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• Virgin Wines targets £100m revenue with new growth strategy

  26-03-2025 08:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Virgin Wines UK has unveiled a new growth strategy aimed at driving its annual revenue to £100m by 2030, with an EBITDA margin of 7%.
  The strategy, which was announced alongside the wine specialist’s interim results, outlines key areas of focus including customer acquisition, commercial partnerships, and a significant investment in technology.
  Despite a challenging retail landscape, Virgin Wines posted a 6.7% increase in revenue over the critical six-week Christmas trading period, wi
  
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• Aldi accused of trademark infringement by Robinsons over ‘copycat’ squash drink

  26-03-2025 08:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Robinsons has accused Aldi of trademark infringement in the High Court over the appearance of the supermarket’s Sun Quench Squirty Squash.
  Robinsons filed a claim in the High Court on 19 March, alleging that the German discounter had committed trademark infringement and passing off.
  The British beverage company is being represented by law firm Stobbs, The Grocer reported.
  It comes after the intellectual property company represented rival supermarket M&S in a feud over a light-up gin li
  
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• John Lewis’ £80m Reading housing project nears approval

  26-03-2025 08:35 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  John Lewis Partnership is moving forward with plans to redevelop its former customer collection facility in Reading, continuing its expansion into the build-to-rent housing market.
  The site, which was previously used for customers to collect orders, closed in 2022 after being deemed surplus to requirements.
  Now, according to the BBC, the retailer has submitted proposals to replace it with an 11-storey residential development featuring 215 energy-efficient apartments.
  The scheme includes a mix of
  
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• John Lewis’ £80m Reading housing project moves forward

  26-03-2025 08:35 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  John Lewis Partnership is moving forward with plans to redevelop its former customer collection facility in Reading, continuing its push into the build-to-rent housing market.
  The site, which was previously used for customers to collect orders, closed in 2022 after being deemed surplus to requirements.
  The retailer has submitted proposals to replace it with an 11-storey residential development featuring 215 energy-efficient apartments.
  The scheme includes a mix of 111 one-bedroom, 92 two-bedroom
  
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• Pandora unveils fourth Oxford Street store

  26-03-2025 08:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Pandora has opened the doors to its fourth store on Oxford Street.
  The jewellery giant‘s Oxford Street West location houses its full jewellery collections, including its Lab-Grown Diamonds collection, as well as engraving services.
  The retailer said the store has been developed with the clear mission to enhance the brand’s visibility on one of the world’s busiest shopping streets.
  Inside the store includes the retailer’s first fully tiled façade with expansive wind
  
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• Pandora unveils new Oxford Street store

  26-03-2025 08:12 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Jewellery brand Pandora has expanded its London footprint with the opening of its fourth store on Oxford Street. Pandora Oxford Street West offers the brand’s full... View Article
  
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• Vinted launches House of Vinted luxury fashion wardrobe

  26-03-2025 07:36 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Vinted has launched a new luxury fashion wardrobe online to showcase designer items from fashion creators including Susie Lau, Victoria Magrath, Simran Randhawa, Giulia Valentina and Keiona... View Article
  
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• Morrisons expands loyalty scheme to include baby formula

  26-03-2025 07:36 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Morrisons is offering shoppers the new option of redeeming their More Card Fivers on first baby formula milk. The move follows the Competition and Markets Authority... View Article
  
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• Retail’s last barbarian takes on Walgreens Boots

  26-03-2025 06:00
  A private equity firm confronts an ailing pharmacy business with its own set of distinct obstacles
  
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