Retail news

• Consumer confidence remains unchanged a month after lockdown exit

  24-07-2020 12:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Consumer confidence index remains flat with a score of -27 for July
  // Personal finance and general economic outlook indexes were up
  // Indexes for major purchases and economic sentiment over the past year both declineConsumer confidence has remained unchanged more than a month after lockdown restrictions on non-essential retailers were eased and they were allowed to reopen.
  GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Barometer, which measures overall consumer confidence based on personal fi
  
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• Card Factory sales climb despite festive trading hit

  29-01-2026 11:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Card Factory said its festive trading performance was hit by a challenging UK consumer backdrop as well as lower footfall across UK shopping destinations.
  The cards specialist reported its total group sales for the final two months of 2025 grew 4.3% year-on-year (YOY) in its trading update for the 11 months ended 31 December 2025.
  Total store revenues and like-for-like (LFL) store sales were down 0.8% and 1.2% respectively over November and December. While total group sales for the 11 months to
  
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• Co-op appoints former Lidl CEO to board

  29-01-2026 10:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  The Co-op has appointed former Lidl UK chief executive Ronny Gottschlich to its board as an independent non-executive director.
  The appointment, which takes effect from today (29 January), comes as the member-owned retailer looks to strengthen its leadership as it plans for future growth.
  The convenience giant said Gottschlich brings extensive retail experience, having previously served as chief executive of Lidl UK and held a number of senior roles across the Schwarz Group in several European m
  
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• H&M lifts profits despite slower sales growth

  29-01-2026 10:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Swedish fashion brand H&M has reported a strong rise in profits in 2025, driven by tighter cost control and better stock management, even as sales growth remained modest across its global estate.
  For the full year to 30 November 2025, the business recorded operating profit rose to about £1.38bn (SEK 18.4bn), compared with £1.30bn (SEK 17.3bn) a year earlier, while profit after tax increased to approximately £905m (SEK 12.1bn).
  The group posted net sales of around &poun
  
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• Job cuts show Amazon ‘cannot be trusted’, says union

  29-01-2026 10:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  The GMB has condemned Amazon following yesterday’s announcement that 16,000 roles will be axed globally.
  The union, which has more than 620,000 members across various industries in the UK, released the statement after the online retailer and media company confirmed the cuts on Wednesday 28 January.
  Rachel Fagan, GMB Organiser, said: “Amazon is showing itself for what it is; a company that cannot be trusted to do the right thing by working people in the UK.Related Story Amazon to axe
  
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• Sainsbury’s staff receiving above inflation pay rise

  29-01-2026 10:16 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Sainsbury’s is granting staff a 5% pay increase, which it said reflects their “exceptional contribution and our commitment to being a great place to work”. 
  The pay boost is above inflation and builds on “several years of significant investment in colleague pay,” according to the supermarket.
  The pay package includes a pension scheme, share-save scheme, free food during shifts and discounts that allow workers to save over £600 annually on an £80 wee
  
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• M&S named UK’s top brand for fourth year in a row

  29-01-2026 10:10 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Marks & Spencer has topped the list of the strongest brands in the UK for the fourth year running.
  The top ten, compiled by YouGov’s BrandIndex tool, shows M&S with an overall index score of 52.7, ahead of Ikea with 45.6.
  Retailers John Lewis and Boots also made the list, in fourth and ninth place, respectively.Related Story Boots Group CEO steps down to become chair27/01/2026 x 12:04 PMM&S CEO Stuart Machin said “We deeply appreciate being named the UK’s Best Brand
  
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• 3i shares surge as PE group hails recovery at retailer Action

  29-01-2026 09:56
  Partners at London-listed investor have made fortunes from the retailer, which accounts for four-fifths of its portfolio
  
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• Ocado suffers blow as Canadian partner shuts distribution centre

  29-01-2026 09:31
  Move follows Kroger’s decision to close its warehouses run on the UK retail technology group’s platforms
  
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• Four key trends for shopper returns in 2026

  29-01-2026 09:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  As retailers complete the final wave of post-peak returns, Alexandra Romantseva from ReBound and Advanced Supply Chain by Reconomy, looks at how reverse logistics will evolve in 2026.
  The beginning of the year always brings returns into sharp focus. Golden Quarter sales data is being finalised, providing retailers with a clearer view of peak trading and operational practices. This often proves a springboard for closer scrutiny of returns polices and processes, and it’s at this point when w
  
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• LISTEN: Why CX, not convenience, will define retail success in 2026

  29-01-2026 09:24 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Customer expectations. We’re constantly talking about them. However, it’s a nuanced discussion as evidence shows they’re fragmenting, accelerating and, in some cases, colliding.
  In the latest episode of the Retail Gazette’s Unpacked podcast, we sit down with an expert capable of putting these changes into perspective, Oscar Strachen, digital strategy consultant at Columbus Global. Together, we unpack what retailers must get right as they head into 202
  
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• Ocado partner Sobeys to close Alberta warehouse

  29-01-2026 09:16 via theretailbulletin.com
  Ocado Group has announced that its Canadian partner Sobeys is to close its customer fulfilment centre in Calgary following an assessment of ecommerce demand in key... View Article
  
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• Naked Wines peak trading in line with guidance

  29-01-2026 09:10 via theretailbulletin.com
  Naked Wines has said trading was in line with guidance in its peak trading period. In the 13 weeks to 29 December 2025, revenue declined by... View Article
  
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• On appoints Frank Sluis as chief financial officer

  29-01-2026 08:10 via theretailbulletin.com
  Swiss sports brand On has appointed Frank Sluis as its new chief financial officer. Due to join the business on 1 May, he has been working... View Article
  
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• Lululemon to open first Birmingham store

  29-01-2026 08:09 via theretailbulletin.com
  Lululemon is to make its Midlands debut with the opening of a new store at Birmingham’s Bullring. The 5,700 square foot space will showcase the fitness... View Article
  
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• Immigration crackdown hits tequila sales as Hispanic consumers in US stay at home

  29-01-2026 06:00
  World’s biggest tequila producer latest group to highlight impact of ‘very delicate’ atmosphere
  
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• How shopping chatbots might transform retail

  29-01-2026 06:00
  Industry giants Walmart and Amazon are taking different approaches to a technology that could further automate shopping
  
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• AI chatbots are coming for ecommerce

  29-01-2026 06:00
  Industry giants Walmart and Amazon are taking different approaches to a technology that could further automate shopping
  
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• Gordon Brothers acquires LK Bennett brand out of administration

  28-01-2026 18:39 via theretailbulletin.com
  Gordon Brothers has announced that it has acquired the LK Bennett fashion brand out of administration. Founded in the 1990s by Linda Bennett, the brand started... View Article
  
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• Toolstation launches new small format store concept

  28-01-2026 18:36 via theretailbulletin.com
  Toolstation has launched a new small store format that offers customers a faster, more convenient way to shop. Called Toolstation GO, the shops will be based... View Article
  
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• The Original Factory Shop calls in administrators, putting 1,200 jobs at risk

  28-01-2026 16:10
  Crisis on UK high street deepens as private equity owners of homeware chain with 137 stores pins collapse on ‘extremely challenging’ climateHow has your local high street changed since 2019? Check your postcodeStudy: ‘Labour risks election wipeout unless it improves high streets’The Original Factory Shop homeware chain has called in administrators, putting 1,200 jobs at risk, putting the decision partly down to higher costs from government policies.Administrators from Int
  
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• Starbucks’ US sales increase for first time in two years

  28-01-2026 14:31
  Performance shows encouraging signs that turnaround is starting to deliver
  
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• Labour risks election wipeout unless it improves Britain’s high streets, study finds

  28-01-2026 11:01
  Decay of town centres a top issue among voters especially Reform UK supporters and is fuelling resentment against WestminsterHow has your local high street changed since 2019? Check your postcodeThe struggling billionaire-owned high street that shows Reform’s road to No 10Labour will be “washed away in a tide of discontent” at the next general election unless it tackles the decline of Britain’s high streets, a study has warned, as Guardian analysis lays bare the changing
  
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• How has your local high street changed since 2019? Check your postcode

  28-01-2026 11:01
  The makeup of Great Britain’s high streets has changed dramatically. See what the data says about where you liveFrom department stores to discount shops, bookmakers to beauty salons, the makeup of Britain’s high streets has shifted dramatically since 2019. Shopping-led town centres are giving way to areas increasingly dominated by services, food, and leisure – but the scale and shape of that change varies widely from place to place.The last six years have coincided with a serie
  
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• Luxury stocks fall after LVMH delivers mixed results

  28-01-2026 10:48
  Louis Vuitton owner reports another quarter of growth but warns unpredictable world events may impede recovery
  
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• Debenhams Group retaining PrettyLittleThing

  28-01-2026 10:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Debenhams Group has boosted its outlook for the financial year in its latest trading update.
  The retail giant reported it was trading above expectations for the year to 28 February 2026. It also noted that its full year adjusted EBITDA ((Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization)) for total operations was now expected to come in at £50m, up from its previous guidance of £45m in November.
  Debenhams said that this was a result of “the continued momentum
  
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• Debenhams Group boosts profit expectations and decides to retain PrettyLittleThing

  28-01-2026 10:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Debenhams Group has boosted its outlook for the financial year in its latest trading update.
  The retail giant reported it was trading above expectations for the year to 28 February 2026. It also noted that its full year adjusted EBITDA ((Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization)) for total operations was now expected to come in at £50m, up from its previous guidance of £45m in November.
  Debenhams said that this was a result of “the continued momentum
  
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• SUPER DELIVERY: A practical way to source directly from Japan 

  28-01-2026 10:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Japan has never been more visible in global consumer culture.
  Across social media, Japanese food, stationery, homeware and everyday lifestyle products regularly go viral, from minimalist packaging and clever design details to products that prioritise quality and usability over trends. At the same time, international travel to Japan has surged, bringing record visitor numbers and, in some areas, well-documented over-tourism challenges.
  For many consumers, a trip to Japan reinforces a simple idea.
  
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• Pets at Home sees group revenue climb despite ‘flat’ Q3

  28-01-2026 10:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Pets at Home has reported a 0.8% increase in consumer revenue across the Group.
  In a trading statement released today, 28 January, the business reported revenue of £472m for the third quarter (Q3) of full year (FY) 2026>
  Retail revenue was down 1.1%, despite “positive volume growth across food and accessories”.
  Q3 also saw “sequential improvement in growth during a period where we invested in our relative price position”, said the business. Online remains th
  
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• Lululemon opens first Birmingham store

  28-01-2026 09:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Athleisure brand Lululemon is set to make its Midlands debut at Birmingham’s Bullrings shopping centre, with a brand-new 5,700 sq ft store.
  The new site will showcase Lululemon’s latest range of activewear products for yoga, running, training, tennis, golf and other sporting activities, across womenswear, menswear and accessories lines.
  As part of the expansion, the Canadian brand will seek to create a community through a local grassroots approach, involving running clubs and group e
  
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