Retail news

• Arcadia Group: What went wrong?

  02-12-2020 19:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  A BRIEF TIMELINE
  1903: 18-year-old Lithuanian immigrant Meshe David Osinsky borrowed £100 from a relative to set up The Cross-Tailoring Company in Holywell Street, Chesterfield. Osinsky’s initial operation, a men’s clothing manufacturer, tailoring and retailing operation, became the genesis for the Burton menswear chain.
  1909: Osinsky changed his name to Montague Burton and steadily expanded his business after tapping into growing demand for affordable and smart
  
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• Pubs don’t deserve special measures | Letters

  09-02-2026 17:59 via theguardian.com
  Singling out pubs for government help when other high street businesses are also suffering is wrong, writes Michael Newman. Plus letters from John Whitney and Pamela EllisSimon Jenkins leaves one or two unanswered questions in his plea for state help with saving pubs (Here is a political lesson progressives need to learn, and fast: British pubs are crucial, 5 February).Why pubs and not wool shops? Or stationery shops or greasy spoon cafes? Should teetotallers be expected to donate
  
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• Superdrug to launch 30 new stores in 2026

  09-02-2026 16:25 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Health and cosmetics retailer Superdrug will open 30 new stores this year, extending its estate footprint across the UK. 
  The expansion is set to create around 600 new jobs and comes as Superdrug continues to see “strong customer demand” for experience-led physical retail.
  The business said that it would continue to  invest in large-format destination stores and retail park locations, under its ongoing strategy to “elevate discovery and engagement within the health an
  
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• Pepsi among most mentioned ads from the Super Bowl, according to Sprout Social

  09-02-2026 16:20 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Data from social media management tool Sprout Social highlighted that AI was mentioned 6939 times in relation to the Super Bowl ads.
  According to Sprout Social, Anthropic’s campaign generated a mixed reaction but had high Instagram engagement, driven by conversation about its “playful” jab at OpenAI.
  However, the management tool pointed out that “human-led creative” gained the most attention on socials, with Pepsi’s ad receiving 33,028 mentions.Budweiser was a
  
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• Ocado mulls up to 1,000 redundancies

  09-02-2026 12:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Ocado Group is reportedly considering axing up to 1,000 roles, as it seeks to lower costs following a challenging year at its automated warehouse arm.
  The company is in the early stages of discussions over redundancies that would represent around 5% of its global workforce, The Sunday Times reported.
  An announcement about the redundancies could take place as early as this month, according to the publication. Related Story Tesco snaps up Amazon Fresh sites for Express expansion09/02/2026 x 10:46
  
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• Tesco snaps up Amazon Fresh sites for Express expansion

  09-02-2026 11:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Tesco has outlined its store growth ambitions for 2026, including openings in five former Amazon Fresh sites.
  The supermarket said that it was “on track” to launch more than 70 Express stores before March 2027, after opening 60 new Express stores last year.
  Tesco said that its growth had been boosted by the acquisition of five former Amazon Fresh stores in London. 
  Former Amazon Fresh sites in Kensington High Street, Hounslow, Moorgate, Aldgate East and Wembley are set to reopen
  
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• Morrisons convenience and wholesale director exits

  09-02-2026 10:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Morrisons director of convenience and wholesale Matt Heslop has stepped down from his role at the supermarket.
  The exec joined Morrisons in March 2025, having previously worked for rival grocer Lidl for more than 20 years in various positions.
  He most recently served as Lidl UK’s chief operating officer (COO) from January 2017 to March 2025.Related Story Facial recognition: Sainsbury’s removes innocent shopper misidentified as offender06/02/2026 x 10:03 AMPrior to this, he worked as
  
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• Dunelm strengthens executive team with new hires

  09-02-2026 09:54 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Homeware retailer Dunelm has bolstered its executive team with two new hires to support the next phase of its growth.
  Laura Harricks has been appointed chief customer officer (CCO) and will join the business in early March.
  She was previously CCO at Ocado Retail and also worked at Monsoon Accessorize and Currys.Related Story Dunelm posts ‘solid’ Christmas as profits outlook trimmed15/01/2026 x 8:46 AMCaroline Angell joins Dunelm as chief people officer (CPO) with immediate effect.
  Sh
  
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• Dunelm strengthens executive team with two senior hires

  09-02-2026 09:44 via theretailbulletin.com
  Dunelm has strengthened its executive team with the appointment of Laura Harricks as chief customer officer and Caroline Angell as chief people officer. Due to join... View Article
  
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• Bloobloom opens Notting Hill store as part of London expansion

  09-02-2026 09:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  French eyewear brand Bloobloom has opened a new store in London‘s Notting Hill as it continues to expand across the capital. The 900 square foot store... View Article
  
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• Ocado cost saving drive puts 1,000 jobs at risk

  09-02-2026 09:20 via theretailbulletin.com
  Ocado Group is reported to be considering cutting up to 1,000 jobs, roughly 5% of its workforce, as it looks to reduce costs after a difficult... View Article
  
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• M&S to include alcohol in its healthy food sales target

  09-02-2026 07:37 via theretailbulletin.com
  M&S is to include sales of alcohol in its reporting of food sales as it looks to offer uncreased transparency on the percentage of healthy food... View Article
  
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• England’s poorest areas have 70% more vape shops and bookmakers than wealthier ones

  09-02-2026 07:00 via theguardian.com
  Data shows deprived communities have more off-licences and takeaways and fewer childcare facilities and gymsEngland’s poorest communities have 70% more vape shops, off-licences and bookmakers than wealthier ones and far fewer cafes and gyms, a study has found.The Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (Icon), chaired by the Labour peer Hilary Armstrong, said ministers risked overlooking vitally important neighbourhood shopping precincts by focusing on town centres. In deprived areas, loc
  
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• Is Australia getting ruder? How to be kinder to others in everyday life – and break the contagion of rage

  08-02-2026 15:00 via theguardian.com
  Slow down, take a deep breath, maybe even let the other car take the park. In the face of rudeness, sometimes the most radical thing to do is remain passively politeGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailThink of a typical day in our angry world. You open social media and read abuse either directed at yourself or someone else, then you get in your car and find yourself aggressively overtaken while driving at the speed limit. You pull into a shopping mall car park, where another driver execut
  
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• ‘It has to be amazing’: Liberty links with Bridgerton as it capitalises on maximalist trend

  08-02-2026 12:00 via theguardian.com
  Department store’s retail boss reveals how it is thriving by focusing on unique items and tie-ups from Adidas to Grayson PerryOn a damp Thursday in central London, shoppers have fled the rain to indulge in some Bridgerton-themed escapism at upmarket department store Liberty, which has dedicated its fourth floor to the raunchy period drama.“When customers come to Liberty they want the discovery of new brands or something a bit different,” says Lydia King, Liberty’s new ret
  
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• Modern Milkman to collect unwanted electronics and toys with deliveries

  08-02-2026 08:00 via theguardian.com
  Grocery delivery firm will begin picking up broken tech across the UK and charging consumers to recycle itemsA UK dairy delivery business is to begin collecting unwanted or broken toys, mobile phones and laptops while dropping off milk, orange juice and butter in its latest attempt to expand.The Modern Milkman was founded by entrepreneur Simon Mellin in Burnley, north-west England, in 2019 and delivers groceries to more than 100,000 households across the UK. Continue reading...
  
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• Chocolatier that inspired Roald Dahl closes historic London shop

  07-02-2026 06:00 via ft.com
  Prestat agreed closure as part of a deal that will lead to it being taken over by L’Artisan du Chocolat
  
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• ‘Quality really matters’: why the organic food market is booming again

  06-02-2026 17:52 via theguardian.com
  Greater awareness of healthy diets and concerns over ‘trusted’ food mean sales are growing at fastest pace in two decadesWhen household finances were plunged into turmoil during the credit crunch, one of the first things that Britons cancelled was their veg box delivery.But although the cost of living crisis persists, the organic market is enjoying its biggest boom in two decades, according to the veg box seller Riverford. It is not just fruit and veg, with a “massive” in
  
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• Levi’s sales grow in UK as celebrities drive denim revival

  06-02-2026 16:21 via theguardian.com
  Noel Gallagher and Harry Styles lead way, and sales of jeans in general rise faster than wider fashion marketThe UK was one of Levi’s fastest-growing markets last year as British trend leaders from Harry Styles to Noel Gallagher and Grime Gran were spotted in the brand’s kit.Lucia Marcuzzo, the managing director of the European operations at the US company famous for its denim jeans, said the revival of 1990s trends had boosted sales of its classic 501s. New trends such as baggy jean
  
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• Freemans celebrates sixth consecutive year of Christmas growth

  06-02-2026 16:19 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Online department store Freemans has reported its sixth consecutive year of growth over Christmas.
  The retailer, which ditched its print catalogue in 2023, saw revenues grow 12% over the four weeks to Christmas, while sales also increased 9% over the 12 weeks to 2 January.
  The company’s new shopper numbers jumped 9%, website visits rose 10%, home category revenues climbed 16%, and fashion sales grew 3%.
  The figures come as the broader UK retail market witnessed a 0.3% decline over Q4.Relat
  
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• Freemans hails ‘exceptional’ growth over Golden Quarter

  06-02-2026 16:17 via theretailbulletin.com
  Digital department store Freemans saw “exceptional” sales growth of 12% in the four weeks to Christmas. The retailer said festive sales were boosted by the launch... View Article
  
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• John Lewis partners with Benugo to revamp in-store restaurants

  06-02-2026 14:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Department store chain John Lewis has teamed up with catering company Benugo to revamp 32 of its restaurants.
  The cafe brand secured the partnership with John Lewis after a two-year process, The Caterer reported.
  All of the new restaurants are set to be redesigned with a focus on fresh, high-quality food and welcoming spaces.
  Menus will feature deli, bakery and handmade pizza options, which all use locally-sourced ingredients.
  The in-store restaurants will run under a new brand and name, that wi
  
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• British shoppers ‘most sceptical’ of marketing communications, according to Intuit report

  06-02-2026 11:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  British consumers are most likely to opt in to email communications, according to a new report from Intuit, the company behind Mailchimp and QuickBooks.
  However, it found British shoppers were also the “most sceptical”, with 40% of respondents highlighting that they do not trust brands with their personal data and 55% reporting they unsubscribed if they found the content was irrelevant.
  The report, titled ‘The Art of the Opt-In: Why List Building is Only the Beginning’, s
  
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• Facial recognition: Sainsbury’s removes innocent shopper misidentified as offender

  06-02-2026 11:03 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Sainsbury’s has apologised to a shopper after they were ejected from a store due to a mix-up with workers and the shop’s facial recognition system.
  Warren Rajah was visiting the retailer’s Elephant and Castle store, in south London, when he was confronted by employees and told he had been flagged by the shop’s facial recognition system, reported the BBC.
  The 42-year-old tech worker claimed that he was then escorted from the store by staff.
  When Rajah asked why, he wa
  
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• Retailers unveil Valentine’s Day dining deals

  06-02-2026 10:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  It’s February, and that means love is in the air.
  On Saturday 14 February, couples across the country will celebrate St Valentine’s Day, offering each other gifts as an act of love.
  As we approach the most romantic day of the year, major retailers have already unveiled various dine-at-home deals.
  Here, Grocery Gazette looks at some of the top offers at supermarkets nationwide.Related Story Lidl unveils seventh pay rise since 202306/02/2026 x 6:00 AMClick here to sign up to Retail Gaz
  
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• K-Way to make West End debut on Carnaby Street

  06-02-2026 09:39 via theretailbulletin.com
  The K-Way French outerwear brand is to open its first store in London’s West End in Carnaby Street. The brand’s 1,400 square foot flagship will offer a... View Article
  
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• Retail Trust appoints Tracey Clements and Matt Birch to trustee board

  06-02-2026 08:40 via theretailbulletin.com
  Retail Trust has appointed Tracey Clements and Matt Birch as new trustees of the retail charity. Clements is currently chief retail, logistics and supply chain officer at... View Article
  
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• Waitrose acquires Surrey shopping centre to secure future of store

  06-02-2026 07:57 via theretailbulletin.com
  Waitrose has acquired the freehold of the 54,000 square foot Hersham Green Shopping Centre in Surrey. In a statement, the retailer said the purchase will secure... View Article
  
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• Pandora appoints Philippa Newman as chief product officer

  06-02-2026 07:54 via theretailbulletin.com
  Pandora has appointed Philippa Newman as its new chief product officer. Due to take up her role in March, Newman will lead the jewellery brand’s product... View Article
  
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• Frasers Group takes majority stake in Italy’s Maxi Sport

  06-02-2026 07:18 via theretailbulletin.com
  Sports Direct owner Frasers Group is to acquire a majority stake in Maxi Sport SpA. The premium multi-sport retailer operates 18 stores across Italy. The move... View Article
  
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