Retail news

• Comment: Department stores can be a beacon for retail

  01-04-2025 19:33 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Department stores have arguably been ground zero for store closures in the UK with a raft of storied names disappearing from high streets over recent years.... View Article
  
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• Tech Anxiety in Retail: Leaders’ Path to Innovation

  01-04-2025 19:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Innovation is the key to success in retail. In the digital retail of today, innovation has become an essential element for the survival and growth of... View Article
  
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• Tesco app and website hit by IT glitch

  01-04-2025 14:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Tesco’s website and app has been hit by an issue that has left hundreds of customers unable to order groceries.
  The UK’s largest grocer said its IT teams were working to fix the problem which began just before 10am on Tuesday (1 April), The Standard reported.
  According to service status website Downdetector, more than 500 Tesco customers started reporting problems with both the supermarket’s website and app at 9:45am.
  A spokesperson for the grocery giant told Retail Gazett
  
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• Co-op launches retail media tool targeted at convenience shoppers

  01-04-2025 13:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Co-op has launched a new retail media tool enabling brands to target sets of convenience shoppers across digital channels at scale and speed.
  The retailer said Co-op Compass is a managed service activating audiences via social and digital display channels, and additional advertising routes are planned to launch throughout 2025, with a further roll out of a self-service option.
  The retailer said the new tool offers advertisers an effective way “to manage offsite digital advertising thr
  
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• The Customer Xperience Alliance (CXA) appoints Martin Newman as Chair to lead industry transformation

  01-04-2025 13:11 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Customer Xperience Alliance (CXA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Martin Newman, globally recognised consumer champion and CX authority, as Chair of the organisation... View Article
  
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• IKEA expands UK footprint with three new smaller format stores

  01-04-2025 13:11 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  IKEA is expanding its UK footprint with the opening of three smaller format stores on former Homebase sites. Due to launch later this year, the shops... View Article
  
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• The Perfume Shop unveils Mother’s Day sales spike

  01-04-2025 12:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Perfume Shop reported a sales boost during the lead up to Mother’s Day this year.
  The fragrance retailer saw sales rise 14% year-on-year, with 280,916 bottles sold from 9 March to 30 March.
  Additionally, the week leading up to Mother’s Day delivered a 56% hike in sales.
  The company’s revenues were driven by a 30% rise in sales of classic perfumes, 3% in new and trending perfumes and a 2% boost in gift sets compared to the year before.
  Promotional deals were also popular for
  
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• Puma to open Oxford Street flagship this autumn

  01-04-2025 12:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Puma is will open the doors to a new flagship store in Oxford Street this autumn, marking its first-ever European flagship.
  The 24,000sq ft site will offer an immersive, interactive experience, blending sports performance and technology with streetwear designs, according to the sportswear retailer.
  The move forms part of Puma’s brand elevation strategy to strengthen its global presence and deliver a shopping experience reflecting its innovation, sports performance, and connection to global
  
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• Puma to open first European flagship on Oxford Street this autumn

  01-04-2025 12:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Puma is will open the doors to a new flagship store in Oxford Street this autumn, marking its first-ever European flagship.
  The 24,000sq ft site will offer an immersive, interactive experience, blending sports performance and technology with streetwear designs, according to the sportswear retailer.
  The move forms part of Puma’s brand elevation strategy to strengthen its global presence and deliver a shopping experience reflecting its innovation, sports performance, and connection to global
  
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• ‘Please leave feedback’: how constant online reviews are changing our brains – and our lives

  01-04-2025 11:00
  
  We live under mutual surveillance, asked to leave public ratings for every purchase, meal, taxi ride or hair appointment. What is it doing to us?‘Alexlilly1999* has left you feedback!” pings the Vinted notification. My stomach flips as the app loads and I open my review: “Quite good.” A gut punch. I sit in shock, scrutinising the words in front of me. “Good” is a bit uninspired but “quite” feels both passive-aggressive and viciously spiteful: quite
  
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• Iceland launches 450 deals in lieu of April Fools joke

  01-04-2025 10:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Iceland executive chairman Richard Walker has unveiled a pricing shake-up across the supermarket’s stores in lieu of an April Fools Day joke.
  The grocery giant is launching more than 450 deals across a wide range of products from today (1 April).
  It comes as Walker warned 1 April was no time for jokes, as millions of consumers face increased water, energy and council tax bills.
  The 450 deals include eight products for £10, half price products, five products for £5 and buy two g
  
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• UK food inflation increases as shoppers buy Easter eggs early

  01-04-2025 10:48
  Lidl and Ocado grow strongly, but Asda loses market share despite recent reset, Kantar figures showBusiness live – latest updatesFood inflation increased in March, driven by price rises in chocolate and confectionery, while Britons have already splashed out more than £130m on Easter eggs and other seasonal sweets despite the late fall of the holiday.Sales at the UK’s main grocers rose 3.2%, just behind grocery inflation which rose to 3.5% in the month to 23 March. In the previo
  
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• Data: Asda struggles as Aldi and Lidl thrive on promotion growth

  01-04-2025 09:39 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda has seen its sales fall by 5.6% in the 12 weeks to 23 March 2025, with its market share slipping to 12.5%, according to the latest data from Kantar.
  In contrast, Aldi and Lidl both gained market share during the period. Aldi’s market share rose to 11.0%, while Lidl’s increased to 7.8%, as their sales grew by 5.6% and 9.1%, respectively.
  Tesco also reported strong results, with sales rising by 5.4%, boosting its share of the grocery market to 27.9%, while Sainsbury’s saw a
  
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• WHSmith takeover: A closer look at Modella Capital and TGJones

  01-04-2025 09:37 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  WHSmith is set to disappear from British high streets after its parent company sold the business to private equity firm Modella Capital to focus on its rapidly expanding travel arm.
  The £76m deal, which did not include the retailer’s branding, will see its 480 stores across high streets, shopping centres and retail parks rebranded to TGJones and the division’s managing director Sean Toal step in as chief executive.
  The sale marks the end of an era for WHSmith, which has been a
  
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• M&S to invest over £50 million in new and improved stores in north west

  01-04-2025 09:36 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  M&S is to invest over £50 million in new and improved shops in the north west of England as part of its ongoing store renewal and... View Article
  
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• Frasers Group ups stake in THG days after increasing AO World share

  01-04-2025 09:24 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Frasers Group has raised its stake in MyProtein owner THG to 10.9%, up from 6.1%, according to a regulatory filing.
  The Sports Direct owner now holds 151.9 million shares in THG, valued at approximately £49.1 million at the current market price.
  The increase in Frasers’ shareholding comes after a series of investments and partnerships between the two companies, including Frasers’ £10m contribution to THG’s fundraising efforts to support the spin-off of THG’s I
  
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• Retailers face £5.6bn in costs as Budget price hikes loom

  01-04-2025 09:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retailers are bracing for a surge in operating costs amounting to £5.56bn, with a significant portion expected to be passed on to consumers through higher prices, according to new research from Retail Economics.
  The increased financial burden stems from changes introduced in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s October Budget, including National Insurance increases taking effect from April 6, a higher minimum wage from April 1, and a £720m rise in business rates.
  As a result, retailers a
  
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• M&S to invest over £50 million in eight new and improved stores in north west

  01-04-2025 09:07 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  M&S is to invest over £50 million in eight new and improved shops in the north west of England as part of its ongoing store renewal... View Article
  
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• Currys launches ‘largest ever’ safety investment to tackle retail crime

  01-04-2025 08:38 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Currys has unveiled its largest-ever annual investment in store safety measures as it ramps up efforts to protect colleagues and deter shoplifters.
  As part of the investment, the retailer is rolling out new technologies and security measures across its store estate. These include upgraded public display monitors in high-risk stores, enhanced product security, intelligence collection, and increased spending on security personnel and surveillance.
  Colleague headsets are also being introduced acros
  
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• Ikea secures former Homebase units for new small-format stores

  01-04-2025 08:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Ikea has acquired several former Homebase units to roll out a new small-format store concept across the UK.
  The home and furniture giant has secured three locations in busy retail parks, with new stores set to open in Harlow, Chester, and Norwich.
  According to Retail Week, the Swedish furniture giant describe the as offering “the classic Ikea experience that customers know and love, on a smaller scale,” the new-format stores will feature a curated product range, planning and design
  
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• It’s the little moments that make a big difference

  01-04-2025 08:28 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  How to ace the awards entry (and how to write about them) When we talk about recognising people in retail, the spotlight often falls on big... View Article
  
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• In pictures: Gieves & Hawkes opens shop-in-shop at Flannels Leeds

  01-04-2025 08:20 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes has unveiled a 600sq ft shop-in-shop at Flannels Leeds, offering both made-to-measure and ready-to-wear collections.
  Situated on the second floor, the space sits alongside luxury labels including Burberry and Alexander McQueen, and reflects the signature aesthetic of Gieves & Hawkes’ flagship store at Number 1 Savile Row in London.The tailor said the North-East opening marks “a significant milestone” in the 254-year-old brand’s hi
  
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• Morrisons introduces Sensory Support Boxes to help autistic and neurodivergent shoppers

  01-04-2025 08:14 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Morrisons is partnering with the National Autistic Society to introduce Sensory Support Boxes to help autistic and neurodivergent customers have a positive shopping experience in its... View Article
  
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• Morrisons poaches Aldi exec as group trading director departs

  01-04-2025 08:10 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Morrisons has named former Aldi exec George Brown as its new group property director.
  Brown previously served as national property director of Aldi from March 2004 until March 2025.
  Sharing the appointment on LinkedIn, the supermarket said: “We are thrilled to announce that George Brown has joined the business, as group property director.
  “With years of experience in the property and retail sectors, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Morrisons, and we couldn’t
  
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• Majestic to acquire Enotria & Coe

  01-04-2025 07:52 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Majestic is to acquire premium wines and spirits supplier Enotria & Coe in a move designed to accelerate its ambition to become the UK’s pre-eminent supplier... View Article
  
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• Crypto casinos: Should retailers be paying attention?

  01-04-2025 04:49 via theretailbulletin.com
  Cryptocurrency has steadily made its way into mainstream financial transactions, offering users decentralised, secure, and often faster ways to move money. While many industries have begun... View Article
  
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• Jewellers expand their reach into homeware goods

  01-04-2025 03:06
  
  Less expensive items have long been seen as a means of cultivating customers while maintaining brand prestige
  
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• Retailers limit price rises in March despite cost pressures

  01-04-2025 01:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retailers held back on price rises throughout March, despite cost pressures weighing upon the sector.
  Overall shop price inflation jumped to -0.4% year on year in March, against a drop of -0.7% the month prior.
  Non-food inflation grew to -1.9% year on year during March, compared to a decline of -2.1% in February.
  Additionally, food inflation was up to 2.4% year on year in March, against growth of 2.1% the month before, with ambient food witnessing the highest rise to 3.7% in March, from 2.8% gro
  
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