Retail news

• Chinese ecommerce group JD.com considers offer for Currys

  19-02-2024 10:48 via ft.com
  Interest comes days after UK electronics retailer rejected unsolicited bid from Elliott Management
  
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• Estée Lauder expands UK manufacturing with fragrance investment

  08-06-2026 17:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Estée Lauder Companies is set to invest in its UK manufacturing network, as its Whitman facility in Petersfield celebrates its 60th anniversary.
  The company is set to integrate selected luxury candle and home fragrance capabilities from long-standing supplier Contract Candles into its UK operations.
  The move includes taking over the lease of one of Contract Candles’ facilities, bringing approximately 50 employees into the business over time and adding research, development and q
  
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• CMA opens merger inquiry into eBay takeover of Depop

  08-06-2026 17:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Competition and Markets Authority has formally launched a phase one investigation into eBay’s proposed acquisition of Depop.
  The UK competition regulator confirmed today (8 June) that the merger notice submitted by eBay and Depop meets the requirements of the Enterprise Act 2002, allowing the review process to begin.
  The CMA said the initial review period will begin on 9 June, with a deadline of 6 August 2026 to decide whether the transaction should be extended for a more detailed
  
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• M&S signs new franchise agreement for the Philippines

  08-06-2026 16:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  M&S has signed a franchise agreement in the Philippines after announcing earlier this year that it would be moving to a new partner in the country.... View Article
  
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• M&S signs new franchise partnership in the Philippines

  08-06-2026 16:13 via theretailbulletin.com
  M&S has signed a franchise agreement in the Philippines after announcing earlier this year that it would be moving to a new partner in the country.... View Article
  
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• Hotel Chocolat to open new space at White Rose Shopping Centre

  08-06-2026 15:28 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Hotel Chocolat is launching a new space at White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds. 
  The new site will combine a luxury retail store with a dedicated Velvetiser Café, allowing guests to “explore cacao in all its forms”.
  The Velvetiser Café will serve bakes and cakes inspired by the retailer’s most-loved chocolates, which are designed to pair perfectly with the drinks menu. 
  Visitors can choose from 19 core hot drinking chocolate flavours, limited-editio
  
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• Superdrug axes skincare brand as UK readies West Bank settlement sanctions

  08-06-2026 14:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The UK is preparing a package of sanctions targeting companies linked to a proposed West Bank settlement development that would make the two-state solution virtually impossible.
  The plan has been widely criticised by governments, warning it could undermine the prospects of a contiguous Palestinian territory and a two-state solution.
  The UK Foreign Office and several Western governments are expected to announce measures aimed at deterring corporate involvement in the E1 settlement project, accord
  
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• The Future of Retail Operations 2026 – Balancing technology with people

  08-06-2026 14:19 via theretailbulletin.com
  Balancing technology, notably AI-powered solutions, with the human side of retail is high up the agenda of many retailers who want to leverage the latest tech... View Article
  
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• Guess launches ambitious private island takeover in Zanzibar

  08-06-2026 14:07 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Guess has unveiled ‘Guess Island’, a private island takeover off the coast of Zanzibar.
  The brand has reportedly transformed selected areas of Bawe Island into a branded destination experience running from May to August 2026.
  The activation builds on Guess’ established beach club partnerships in destinations including Ibiza, Mykonos, Taormina, Forte dei Marmi, Turkey and Dubai.
  Bawe Island, part of The Cocoon Collection, spans more than 30 hectares and is home to 70 private vil
  
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• M&S offers 1,000 training places for young people

  08-06-2026 13:40 via theretailbulletin.com
  M&S has launched a new training scheme to help young people get on the career ladder as it looks to help tackle the “growing youth unemployment... View Article
  
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• From Catalogue to Conversion: Feedonomics Data Enrichment

  08-06-2026 13:40 via theretailbulletin.com
  The rules of being found online have changed. A decade ago, a product showed up because its title matched a keyword. Today, a product shows up... View Article
  
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• Marks & Spencer signs new Philippines franchise deal

  08-06-2026 13:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Marks & Spencer has signed a new franchise agreement in the Philippines with PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk, as the retailer looks to accelerate its international growth through strategic partnerships.
  The deal will see M&S work with Universal Fashion Philippines Inc, a subsidiary of PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk, known as MAP, to relaunch its fashion, home, beauty and food offer in the market later this year.
  The first store under the new partnership is set to open in Glorietta in Manila.
  M&S ha
  
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• M&S Ireland ‘Farm to Foodhall’ ad given 5.9 star rating by System 1

  08-06-2026 13:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  M&S Ireland’s ‘Farm to Foodhall’ campaign has been given a 5.9 star rating from consultancy System 1.System 1 predicts long term brand growth by measuring the publics emotional response to advertising. According the platform, only 1 per cent of ads achieve a rating of 5.0 or higher.The ad features Irish celebrity chef Mark Moriarty sampling strawberries at a partner farm and is part of its ‘Farm to Foodhall’ brand platform which runs in the UK and Ireland (howe
  
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• Sephora announces ‘Sephora summer’ and reveals opening dates for four new stores

  08-06-2026 12:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Sephora UK has announced a ‘Sephora summer’ as it revealed the opening dates for its next four store launches. 
  The makeup retailer’s new stores, which will be based across Scotland and Central London, debuts its small format boutiques approach. They form part of its broader retail strategy, which aims to bring its ‘temples of beauty’ to all corners of the UK.
  Sephora’s St James Quarter Edinburgh store will open on 09 July, comprising 4,961 sq ft of retai
  
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• Fortnum & Mason names 15 winners of emerging food and drink search

  08-06-2026 12:28 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Fortnum & Mason has selected 15 emerging food and drink producers as winners of its 2026 Fortnum & Makers Open Call, following a competition that attracted more than 450 submissions from across the UK.
  The scheme is designed to find new independent brands for the luxury retailer’s Piccadilly flagship store, with entries assessed on originality, sustainability and alignment with Fortnum & Mason’s values.
  It is understood that this year’s brief also included products
  
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• Gymshark unveils new Bratz collab encouraging girls to “own their individuality”

  08-06-2026 12:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Fitness and sportswear brand Gymshark has teamed up with doll brand Bratz to encourage girls to “own their individuality”.
  To celebrate the launch of the new line, the collaboration hosted a fully immersive experience in Miami.
  The experience aimed to give visitors a “bratified” gym experience. It included an outdoor gym with female-only staff.
  Designed with women in mind, it featured purple turf and workout zones titled ‘Bestie Zone’, and ‘Heavyweight D
  
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• Data: Nearly a third of shoppers would let AI make purchases within five years, says DHL

  08-06-2026 12:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Nearly a third of shoppers would be willing to let artificial intelligence make purchasing decisions on their behalf within the next five years, according to new research from DHL eCommerce.
  The logistics firm’s E-Commerce Trends Report 2026, based on responses from 29,000 consumers and 5,800 businesses across 29 countries, found that 29% of shoppers would be happy for AI to make shopping decisions or purchases for them. The figure rises to 33% among Gen Z shoppers and 36% among millennial
  
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• H&M unveils new campaign for Solar Club collaboration

  08-06-2026 12:13 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  H&M MOVE and H&M Home unveiled a new campaign for its collaboration with with Solar Club, a French creative community.
  It was shot in Marseille region of France shows offline moments such as swimming in the sea and meals at sunset.
  The lifestyle collection was inspired by “movement and connection” and features swimwear, running wear, oversized tees, beach textiles and tableware. It combines “sun-washed tones with deeper shades”.
  The collection is available from Ju
  
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• Inside Boots beauty-only concept store in Bristol

  08-06-2026 12:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  As the UK’s number one beauty destination, it’s no secret that beauty forms a key pillar of Boots’ retail operations.
  The business launched its first beauty-only concept store in 2023 at London’s Battersea Power Station, as it continued to invest in its beauty halls and advisors across its UK portfolio.
  Now, the cosmetics brand has branched out to open its first beauty concept store outside of the capital in Bristol’s Cabot Circus Shopping Centre.
  The new concept st
  
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• Miniso COO on its ‘bigger and better’ Brent Cross store

  08-06-2026 12:07 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Variety retailer Miniso relocated to a “bigger and better” store in London’s Brent Cross Shopping Centre back in May.
  The business insists that the new space offers an “enhanced shopping experience” that is designed to “better serve” its “local community and growing fanbase”.
  The new site features a “more spacious and playful environment” according to the brand, which enables shoppers to explore Miniso’s “ever-evolving
  
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• 5 retailers boosting their investment in travel retail

  08-06-2026 12:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  It’s been over a year since high street stalwart WHSmith agreed to sell its UK high street business to Modella Capital to focus solely on its fast-growing travel retail division.
  Following the move, the brand saw pre-tax profit and non-underlying items drop to £108m for the year ended 31 August 2025, from £114m the year before, as it faced a “difficult” end to the year.
  Regardless, WHSmith’s former interim group CEO Andrew Harrison described travel retail as &
  
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• EU weighs new rules to curb reliance on Chinese suppliers

  08-06-2026 11:51 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The European Commission is considering new legislation that could require companies operating in sensitive sectors to reduce their dependence on single suppliers and instead source critical materials from at least three providers.
  Speaking in Brussels, European Trade Commissioner Marcos Sefcovic said the proposal forms part of a wider review of the EU’s trade defence framework, expected later this year.
  The plans are aimed at strengthening supply chain resilience and reducing exposure to d
  
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• Debenhams signs beauty licensing deal with Revolution Beauty

  08-06-2026 10:27 via theretailbulletin.com
  Debenhams has embarked on a new licensing partnership with Revolution Beauty for the development of beauty and fragrance products across the Debenhams group of brands. Expected... View Article
  
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• Debenhams unveils new licensing partnership

  08-06-2026 10:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Debenhams Group and Revolution Beauty have unveiled a new licensing partnership to develop fragrance and beauty products across the retailer’s brands.
  The collaboration merges the reach of the Debenham’s Group brand lifestyle and fashion brand portfolio with Revolution Beauty’s ability to manufacture, develop and distribute beauty products.
  Its first collections will include fragrance and gifting ranges for Karen Millan, PrettyLittleThing and boohooMan.
  The ranges will be expe
  
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• Phase Eight owner eyes store closures as part of restructure

  08-06-2026 09:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Phase Eight owner TFG has warned underperforming stores could close as it moves to cut costs across the struggling womenswear brand.
  The South Africa-based retail group said it would “accelerate right-sizing” of Phase Eight’s footprint and costs over the next 12 months.
  It did not disclose how many stores could be affected or which locations were under review.
  TFG said Phase Eight’s performance had been “heavily impacted over several years” by the decline of d
  
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• Greggs appoints Ikdeep Singh as non-executive director

  08-06-2026 09:43 via theretailbulletin.com
  Greggs has appointed Mars Pet Nutrition global president Ikdeep Singh as a non-executive director. Prior to joining Mars in 2020, Singh served as president of L’Oréal’s... View Article
  
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• BRC warns government not to ‘regulate flexible jobs out of existence’

  08-06-2026 09:43 via theretailbulletin.com
  The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that poorly designed Guaranteed Hours reforms could risk regulating flexible jobs out of existence. The warning follows YouGov polling... View Article
  
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• B&M boss admits pricing and range mistakes as discount sector slows

  08-06-2026 09:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  B&M chief executive Tjeerd Jegen has admitted the discount retailer’s recent struggles were partly self-inflicted, as pressure mounts across the wider value retail sector.
  Speaking to The Times, Jegen said B&M had failed to get key parts of its proposition right, with weak pricing, underwhelming promotions and an overly complicated product range.
  “Our pricing wasn’t great, promotions weren’t sharp enough and our range was too overwhelming for customers,” he
  
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• Scam warning as fake retailer websites appearing in ChatGPT search results

  08-06-2026 09:17 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Fraudsters are creating cloned retail websites that are appearing in ChatGPT search results, raising fresh concerns over how AI shopping tools could be exploited to target consumers.
  Scam-checking service Ask Silver said it had identified fake websites impersonating Russell & Bromley and Dunelm being surfaced as sources when users asked ChatGPT for shopping recommendations.
  In one example, Ask Silver asked the AI tool for popular Russell & Bromley purses and bags. The response included
  
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• Mango ramps up Italy expansion with 22 Coin department store openings

  08-06-2026 09:09 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Mango is stepping up its expansion in Italy through a new partnership with department store chain Coin, as the Spanish fashion retailer looks to grow its visibility across the country.
  The agreement will see 22 Mango-operated stores open inside selected Coin locations between September 2026 and the end of 2027.
  The new shop-in-shops will range from 400 to 1,000 sq m and will offer Mango’s womenswear, menswear and kidswear collections. They will also feature the retailer’s Mediterran
  
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