Retail news

• DFS remains cautious despite lockdown sales surge

  25-08-2020 13:05 via ft.com
  Furniture orders jump but chain warns job losses and Brexit cloud outlook
  
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• Kenneth Liu on how SHEGLAM has grown in the UK

  29-06-2026 12:47
  
  Singaporean beauty brand SHEGLAM was launched in 2019 by ecommerce platform Shein.
  It has grown exponentially in the UK over the past few years and SHEGLAM’s General Manager of Europe Kenneth Liu explains how the brand has grown its presence in the UK.
  He says the biggest driver of growth for SHEGLAM within the UK market, is the brands “product innovation and clear differentiation from other brands”.
  According to Liu, it takes a three step approach to innovation, its first its
  
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• Charlotte Tilbury introduced to select Boots stores

  29-06-2026 12:22
  
  Luxury cosmetics brand Charlotte Tilbury will be available in 31 Boots stores from July, as the two beauty giants partner for the first time.
  The Puig-owned brand,  founded by makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, will introduce skin care, makeup and fragrance products in Boots’ locations such as Aberdeen, Chester, Leeds, Derby and Plymouth.
  “My mission has always been to empower everyone, everywhere to feel and look like the most beautiful, confident versions of themselves,” s
  
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• Apple and Xbox raise prices as AI drives up chip costs

  29-06-2026 11:55
  Apple and Microsoft have raised prices on some of their products as the cost of memory and storage chips continues to rise.
  Apple has increased prices on selected MacBooks and iPads around the world, with some products rising by almost 20 per cent.
  The tech giant cited the price hike to rising demand for chips used in AI data centres, which has pushed up costs across the electronics industry.
  In a statement, Apple said: “We have shielded our customers from these increases so far, but we ha
  
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• Iran and US agree to renew talks over Strait of Hormuz

  29-06-2026 11:22
  
  Iran and the United States have reportedly agreed to halt recent military strikes and resume talks over their dispute in the Strait of Hormuz.
  According to Axios, the two sides are expected to meet in Qatar on Tuesday after agreeing to renew negotiations following several days of escalating attacks in the Gulf.
  The reported breakthrough follows accusations from both countries that the other had breached an interim agreement reached less than two weeks ago to end their four-month conflict. Relate
  
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• Conversation with… Matt Randle, general manager of Dreamland Bedding

  29-06-2026 10:26 via theretailbulletin.com
  Here we chat with Matt Randle, general manager of Dreamland Bedding, a finalist in this year’s People in Retail Awards, about learning, leadership, and what it... View Article
  
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• West Elm and Pottery Barn open John Lewis Liverpool concessions in UK rollout

  29-06-2026 10:19 via theretailbulletin.com
  West Elm and Pottery Barn are continuing their rollout in John Lewis stores with the opening of concessions in John Lewis’s Liverpool store. The launches by... View Article
  
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• Portmeirion hires Denby duo to accelerate turnaround plan

  29-06-2026 09:57
  
  Portmeirion Group has strengthened its senior leadership team with two commercial hires from Denby as it pushes ahead with plans to return the business to growth.
  The Stoke-on-Trent homewares group has appointed Jane Mason as UK and Europe director and Hayley Baddiley as group marketing director. Both will join the business on 1 July 2026 and report to recently appointed chief executive Michael Scheepers.
  Mason joins from Denby, where she was UK and Ireland managing director. She previously spen
  
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• Harvey Nichols owner seeks sale after heavy losses

  29-06-2026 09:33 via theretailbulletin.com
  The billionaire owner of Harvey Nichols is understood to be considering selling the struggling department store chain after years of losses. According to reports, Sir Dickson... View Article
  
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• JD Sports axes final Hip stores as it pares back UK estate

  29-06-2026 09:33
  
  JD Sports is closing the last two physical stores of its Hip brand, as it continues to sharpen its focus on bigger and more profitable locations.
  The Hip store on Thomas Street in Manchester closed on 28 June, while the Leeds branch on Vicar Lane is expected to shut before the end of the month.
  The decision will remove Hip from bricks-and-mortar retail, although the brand will continue to trade online through its website.
  Hip was founded in Leeds in 1987 as an independent menswear store, before
  
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• Hype to High Street: Turning online hype into meaningful growth

  29-06-2026 09:30
  
  Social media has become one of the most influential forces now in play for UK high streets, writes Dan Edelman, UK general manager, merchant services at American Express.
  Dan Edelman, UK general manager, merchant services at American Express
  According to new research by American Express, conducted with Retail Economics, it’s estimated that social media now drives 1.7 billion high street visits annually in the UK. Behind every one of those visits is a shopper who has viewed and engaged with
  
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• Government urged to investigate JD.com’s UK expansion

  29-06-2026 08:05
  
  Labour has been urged to investigate Chinese retail giant JD.com’s UK expansion amid concerns it could pose an unfair threat to British retailers.
  The calls come after the online retail group, which owns Joybuy, stepped up its push into the UK as it looks to challenge Amazon and other major ecommerce players.
  According to reports from The Telegraph, Alicia Kearns, the shadow national security minister, said JD.com’s growth plans in Britain should be “thoroughly scrutinised&rdqu
  
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• Accent Group rejects Frasers’ ‘highly opportunistic’ takeover bid

  29-06-2026 07:57
  
  Accent Group has urged shareholders to reject Frasers Group’s A$390.8m (around £206million) takeover offer, describing the bid as “highly opportunistic”.
  The Australian sports footwear retailer said its independent board committee had unanimously recommended investors take no action and not sell their shares into Frasers’ on-market bid.
  Frasers, which is Accent’s largest shareholder, offered A$0.65 cash per share for the shares it does not already own.
  However
  
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• Ocado faces investor pressure as tech growth dream falters

  29-06-2026 07:50
  
  Ocado is facing mounting pressure from investors as doubts grow over whether its grocery technology business can deliver the scale of returns once promised.
  The online grocer turned automation specialist has spent years trying to reposition itself as a global technology provider, selling its warehouse robotics and software to international supermarket partners.
  However, The Times reported that investor patience is wearing thin after a series of setbacks, including weaker online grocery demand, s
  
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• Morrisons AI push helps deliver £940m savings

  29-06-2026 07:43
  
  Morrisons boss Rami Baitiéh has said the supermarket’s increased use of data and AI has helped deliver £940m in savings over the past three years.
  The grocer announced earlier this year that it would ramp up its use of data, automation and AI as part of a wider cost-cutting drive, which included job cuts across all functions at its Bradford head office.
  In a LinkedIn post, Baitiéh said many businesses were investing heavily in AI “but often without a clear, genuin
  
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• UK business growth expectations hit weakest level of 2026

  29-06-2026 07:41
  
  UK business growth expectations have fallen to their weakest level this year, as retailers, manufacturers and services firms brace for another difficult quarter.
  The Confederation of British Industry’s latest growth indicator found that companies expect private sector activity to decline further over the next three months.
  Its gauge of expected output volumes fell to -28 in June, down from -24 in May, marking the lowest reading since December 2025.
  The survey, which covered 848 companies b
  
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• Co-op strategy director Tom Bradley exits for Deliveroo

  29-06-2026 07:38
  
  Co-op group commercial & logistics strategy director Tom Bradley is leaving the retailer to join Deliveroo.
  Bradley, who has spent almost six years at Co-op, will depart the business this summer before joining the on-demand delivery giant as commercial director later this year.
  In a LinkedIn post, he said his departure marked “the end of a chapter”, adding that he was “incredibly proud” of what had been achieved during his time with the retailer.
  Bradley said Co-op ha
  
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• Matalan extends debt facilities to 2029 as turnaround continues

  29-06-2026 07:22
  
  Matalan has secured extensions to its debt facilities as it continues to push ahead with its turnaround plan.
  The fashion and homeware retailer said anchor investors Invesco, Tresidor, Man Group and Napier Park had agreed to extend the maturity dates on its existing debt facilities.
  The facilities, which had been due in December 2027 and January 2028, will now mature in April 2029.
  Matalan said the move reflected continued investor confidence in the business and its long-term transformation stra
  
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• Ocado boss Tim Steiner’s £94m pay haul sparks governance concerns

  29-06-2026 07:19
  
  Ocado chief executive Tim Steiner has received almost £100m in payouts since the online grocer floated in 2010, despite its share price now sitting below its IPO level.
  Analysis of Ocado’s annual reports by the High Pay Centre found the co-founder has collected £94m in pay and share awards since the business listed on the stock market.
  The campaign group said the figure raised “serious concerns about proportionality, accountability and fairness” in the company&rsquo
  
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• Matalan secures debt extensions to 2029 amid continued turnaround

  28-06-2026 23:27 via theretailbulletin.com
  Matalan has secured extensions to its debt facilities in continued backing from anchor investors. Invesco, Tresidor, Man Group and Napier Park have all agreed to extend... View Article
  
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• Interview: Cornish Bakery fires gun on RISE concept

  28-06-2026 23:26 via theretailbulletin.com
  The opening of the largest Cornish Bakery outlet – in Portsmouth Harbour – out of its estate of over 80 outlets moves the business beyond baked... View Article
  
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• Ocado major shareholders mount rearguard action to save CEO Tim Steiner

  27-06-2026 06:00 via ft.com
  Multiple investors oppose plans led by chair Adam Warby and Tetra Pak billionaire board member Jörn Rausing to oust co-founder
  
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• Hong Kong billionaire explores sale of Harvey Nichols

  26-06-2026 20:39 via ft.com
  Struggling luxury department store owned by Sir Dickson Poon is in active talks with multiple parties over a deal
  
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• Walmart’s ad deal smartly puts its customers in the shopping basket

  26-06-2026 18:00 via ft.com
  Retailer looks to monetise its deep well of consumer data and insights
  
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• Hydration breaks: Why all the fuss?

  26-06-2026 15:17
  
  Hydration breaks have caused quite the commotion with European football fans.
  Mandatory hydration breaks were introduced by FIFA for all 104 matches of the World Cup, regardless of the weather conditions. The breaks are three minutes long and occur in the middle of each half.
  The regulator argued that the breaks would provide the athletes with time to rehydrate during matches.
  But fans, especially European fans, are furious, believing the break implemented as an advertising opportunity rather th
  
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• Matalan given 2029 debt extension to focus on turnaround

  26-06-2026 15:07
  
  Matalan’s anchor investment group has extended its existing debt facilities until mid-2029, allowing the clothing and homeware retailer’s turnaround plan more time.
  No additional capital is involved in this latest deal. Instead Invesco, Tresidor, Man Group and Napier Park will allow Matalan longer to manage its existing debt. Therefore, cash flow can be put towards the retailer’s recovery.
  Matalan had previously secured a further £25 million in funding from this core inve
  
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• F.Hinds Chairman: ‘170 years on, we’re betting on people, not algorithms’

  26-06-2026 12:15
  
  As the family jeweller marks its 170th anniversary, chairman Andrew Hinds reflects on supply chains, soaring gold prices, AI and why the future of the high street still depends on human relationships.
  When George Henry Hinds opened his first jewellery shop on Harrow Road in Paddington in 1856, Britain was still in the Victorian era. The Suez Canal did not exist. The telephone had not been invented. The notion of an online retailer would have sounded like science fiction.
  Photo: F.Hinds. Chairman
  
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• Oprah Winfrey wins LionHeart Award: Cannes Lions winners 2026 part 2

  26-06-2026 11:28
  
  The annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity ran from 22 to 26 June.
  This year it has hosted multiple panels from the industry’s best and brightest, including discussions from Primark, Sephora, and Coach.
  As usual, the event has seen many of the industries top talent awarded for their hard work. With Cannes Lions coming to a close today, we take a look at some more winners from the festival.
  Cannes LionHeart Award,
  The Cannes LionHeart Award went to actress, presenter and p
  
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• Snappy Shopper VP on retail media’s power to drive conversations to action

  26-06-2026 11:21
  
  With Snappy Shopper expanding beyond the UK mainland, Retail Gazette met with with the Q-commerce platform’s VP of groups & business development Greg Deacon to discuss the “huge growth” moments retail media can provide independent retailers.
  “We create an opportunity for brands to engage with the customer at the point of purchase – that moment of truth. That few minutes they’re going to spend on the app to place their order. How do we get them to engage an
  
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• Bloom & Wild co-founder on caring wildly about every gifting occasion

  26-06-2026 11:12
  
  As Bloom & Wild celebrates a 100 per cent year-on-year jump in Father’s Day gifting growth, Aron Gelbard stresses that it isn’t “a big gesture” brand and now has a product range for all the small moments.
  Founded in 2013, Bloom & Wild has flourished. Over 30 million letterbox flowers have been delivered by the ecommerce business that cared enough to measure letterboxes.
  Only three years after its inception, Bloom & Wild expanded its offering to include tiny Ch
  
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