Retail news

• Inflation rises to 3.4%

  21-01-2026 09:03 via retailgazette.co.uk
  UK inflation rose to 3.4% in the year to December, slightly higher than expected.
  According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), rising prices were partly driven by the increased cost of airfare and tobacco.
  Inflation was 3.2% in the year to November.Related Story Slight rise in sales volumes, says ONS19/12/2025 x 10:01 AMFood and non-alcoholic drink inflation rose to 4.5% in the 12 months to December. This is up from 4.2% in the 12 months to November.
  On a monthly basis, food and n
  
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• How Westfield is ‘at the forefront’ of the experiential retail shift

  06-07-2026 12:52 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Retail destinations are evolving far from being transactional to become much more experiential spaces.
  Westfield is a business that claims to be “at the forefront of this shift,” as it reshapes “the role of the modern retail destination through cultural programming, live experiences and sustainability-led initiatives”. 
  Notably, the company recently hosted its Westfield ReLoved festival at Stratford City in partnership with homelessness charity Shelter, which brought
  
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• Plans revealed to ‘transform’ Queens Arcade shopping centre

  06-07-2026 12:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Property development firm Landsec has submitted a planning application for the first phase of works to transform Cardiff’s Queens Arcade shopping centre into a new food, beverage and leisure destination. 
  The submission marks the next milestone in Landsec’s long-term investment in St David’s shopping centre and the Welsh capital’s centre.
  The first phase of the plans announced today include three new restaurants and enhancements to the building’s façade.
  
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• How AI is reshaping the bricks and mortar experience

  06-07-2026 12:19 via retailgazette.co.uk
  AI has taken the retail industry by storm in recent years.
  It seems that many consumers are on board with the changes. A recent report by software development firm CI&T, which surveyed 2,000 consumers across the UK and Ireland, found that 64 per cent of consumers thought retailers should use AI to improve the shopping experience for their customers.
  Although a lot of the current AI discourse is centered around ecommerce and chatbots, it is also having an impact on the bricks and mortar exper
  
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• Is this the end of the line for TGJones?

  06-07-2026 12:15 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Last week it was reported that up to 150 former WHSmith stores were set to shut, while rent cuts would apply to most of its remaining sites, as its owner Modella Capital won approval for a major restructuring of its estate.
  The private equity firm blamed “challenging retail conditions” for the restructuring, claiming that its plans were vital for the survival of its business, the BBC reported.
  The High Court heard at the time that TGJones was on the brink of insolvency and would face
  
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• Aldi gifts first 500 shoppers £5 voucher after England win

  06-07-2026 12:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi is giving its first 500 customers a £5 voucher to “help shake off the Monday morning slump” after England won its place in the Fifa World Cup’s quarter-finals at 2am this morning.
  The voucher is designed to give tired fans “a boost after a sleepless night of football,” after millions of fans stayed up into the early hours to cheer on the Three Lions.
  The £5 vouchers were made available from 8am today (6 July) on a first-come, first-served basis.
  Ald
  
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• Digital transformation starts with the customer

  06-07-2026 10:32 via theretailbulletin.com
  As retailers race to adopt AI, there’s a risk we’re solving for technology before we’ve fully understood the customer problem we’re trying to fix. Over the... View Article
  
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• Can vending machines deliver the goods?

  06-07-2026 09:46 via theretailbulletin.com
  We were on a very quiet platform at Huntingdon train station when my children (as always) were desperate for a drink and without an on-site buffet/café... View Article
  
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• ASOS appoints Manoja Josyula as director of propositions

  06-07-2026 09:46 via theretailbulletin.com
  ASOS has appointed Manoja Josyula as director of propositions on a permanent basis, after she joined the company in March in an interim capacity. She previously... View Article
  
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• Next considers bid for Harvey Nichols department store chain

  06-07-2026 09:42 via theretailbulletin.com
  Next is considering making an offer for the Harvey Nichols department store chain. Sky News has reported that Next is drawing up plans to make a... View Article
  
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• ASOS names Manoja Josyula propositions director

  06-07-2026 09:35 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  ASOS has appointed Manoja Josyula as director of propositions on a permanent basis.
  Josyula joined the business in March on an interim basis and will now continue in the role permanently.
  She succeeds Macy Hong, ASOS’ former head of loyalty and customer engagement, who left the company in February.
  Josyula will report to Ben Blake, ASOS’ executive vice president of customer and commercial.
  Her remit includes some of the retailer’s key customer-facing propositions, including Pre
  
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• Russell & Bromley shuts final stores outside Next rescue deal

  06-07-2026 09:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Russell & Bromley has closed all 33 of its remaining stores after collapsing into administration earlier this year.
  The footwear retailer’s final closures include its two Scottish stores, at Edinburgh’s St James Quarter and on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street.
  The closures come after Next agreed to buy the Russell & Bromley brand and certain assets out of administration in January.
  However, the rescue deal only saved three stores, in Chelsea, Mayfair and Bluewater, leaving the
  
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• L’Oréal and Mondelez turn to AI to speed up product innovation

  06-07-2026 09:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Consumer goods giants including L’Oréal and Mondelez are using artificial intelligence to develop new products faster.
  L’Oréal said AI has helped it create products four times faster than before by identifying molecules in skincare products that can be repurposed for use in shampoo.
  The French beauty giant, which started using AI in its laboratories four years ago, has used the technology to predict how ingredients will affect skin and hair.
  One recent innovation involv
  
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• Defiant Ocado CEO Tim Steiner to stay until 2028, but succession planning starts

  06-07-2026 09:16 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Ocado chief executive Tim Steiner will remain in the top job until the start of the 2028 financial year, as the online grocery technology firm sets out its leadership transition plans.
  The group said Steiner, who co-founded Ocado in 2000, would stay on as chief executive for around two more years while it works to appoint a successor.
  He will then remain with the business through 2029 in a founder role, helping prepare the next generation of Ocado’s leadership.
  Ocado said Steiner remained
  
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• 7-Eleven sues Nike over Air Max 95 ‘Slurpee’ colourway

  06-07-2026 09:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  7-Eleven has sued Nike over claims the sportswear giant copied the convenience retailer’s signature colour scheme for an upcoming Air Max 95 release.
  The retailer filed a lawsuit in federal court in Texas, accusing Nike of using a “confusingly similar” version of its orange, green and red stripe branding on a new trainer due to launch on July 11.
  The date is widely associated with 7-Eleven’s annual 7-Eleven Day promotion, when participating stores offer free Slurpee drink
  
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• Retail park boom sparks warning over shortage of space

  06-07-2026 09:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retailers are facing a growing shortage of retail park space as discounters, fashion chains, gyms and convenience-led operators compete for out-of-town sites.
  Vacancy rates across the sector have fallen close to record lows, with landlords warning there is limited space left, particularly for larger stores.
  The shift has been driven by rising demand from retailers including Lidl, Aldi, B&M and Home Bargains, as well as brands such as Superdrug, Mountain Warehouse, PureGym and The Gym Group.
  
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• Next eyes Harvey Nichols takeover as luxury retailer seeks buyer

  06-07-2026 09:05 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Next is preparing a potential bid for Harvey Nichols after the luxury department store chain was put up for sale, according to reports.
  The retailer is drawing up plans to make an offer for the business, which has been owned by Hong Kong billionaire Sir Dickson Poon for 35 years, Sky News reported.
  The talks are understood to be at an early stage, although Next is said to be serious about exploring a deal.
  It is not yet clear whether any bid would include Harvey Nichols’ regional stores or
  
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• Burnham high street tax plan ‘could cost £880m a year’

  06-07-2026 08:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Andy Burnham’s plan to overhaul business rates in favour of small high street firms could cost around £880m a year, according to new analysis.
  The proposals would lift more than 140,000 additional small premises out of business rates altogether, forecasts from global tax firm Ryan suggest.
  Burnham has proposed increasing the threshold for 100 per cent small business rates relief in England by 50 per cent, from a rateable value of £12,000 to £18,000.
  The upper threshold fo
  
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• Ocado paves way for exit of boss Tim Steiner in 2028 after succession clash 

  06-07-2026 08:56 via ft.com
  Founder to stay in post until group concludes succession planning following boardroom pressure to remove him
  
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• Ocado paves way for exit of boss Tim Steiner after succession clash 

  06-07-2026 08:56 via ft.com
  Founder to stay in post until group concludes succession planning following boardroom pressure to remove him
  
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• Co-op faces backlash over ‘dangerous’ grocery delivery robots

  06-07-2026 08:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Co-op is facing criticism over its use of autonomous grocery delivery robots, as campaigners warn the technology risks making pavements less safe and accessible for pedestrians.
  Living Streets, the walking charity formerly known as the Pedestrians’ Association, has written to Co-op interim chief executive Kate Allum claiming the retailer’s robot delivery partnership with Starship Technologies is creating risks for older and disabled people.
  The small six-wheeled robots are already us
  
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• Aldi takes aim at Lidl’s fashion success with first French apparel drop

  06-07-2026 08:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Aldi is making its first move into branded fashion in France, as it aims to follow Lidl’s success in turning supermarket merchandise into sought-after apparel.
  The retailer will launch its Aldi Studio capsule collection across its 1,300 French stores on July 18, marking its first foray into clothing and accessories.
  The limited-edition summer range uses Aldi’s red, white, yellow and blue brand colours across a dozen items, including T-shirts, pool slides, hats, caps and a thermal fla
  
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• Garden Trading delivers record second quarter with 20% like-for-like growth

  06-07-2026 07:39 via theretailbulletin.com
  Garden Trading has delivered a record second quarter, with 20% like-for-like growth following a renewed focus on customer acquisition and retention. The home and garden retailer... View Article
  
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• London showcase spotlights emerging jewellery talent

  06-07-2026 05:00 via ft.com
  Dover Street Market’s summer exhibition presents innovative work from graduates, highlighting the institutions that shaped them
  
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• Directors’ Deals: Burberry’s new reward policy prompts top team to buy in

  03-07-2026 19:00 via ft.com
  Fashion group reports operating profit again under new chief
  
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• Fortnum & Mason director of online on why listening to customers is not a luxury

  03-07-2026 15:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Even when working for Fortnum & Mason, Sarah Wilkinson is blown away by the heritage department store’s attention to product provenance, brand authenticity and devotion to customer care.
  Wilkinson joined F&M two years ago as director of online, having previously worked for luxury fashion house Jimmy Choo.
  “It’s not until you come here that you realize just how much goes into the creation of our products and how much dedication to quality there is”, she notes.
  F&am
  
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• How to stop profits leaking across your multi-sites with simple, scalable automation

  03-07-2026 15:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retailers and logistics operators have long spoken about sustainability, but the conversation is becoming more immediate, commercial and operational. That was the central message from a breakfast roundtable hosted by Retail Gazette and Schneider Electric.
  Senior figures from across grocery, fashion, hospitality, logistics and facilities gathered to discuss how energy efficiency, automation and better data can help stem rising costs and improve resilience across portfolios of stores, restaurants,
  
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• Cegid Connections Retail proved why retail’s next leap starts on the shop floor

  03-07-2026 12:03 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Cegid Connections Retail, Cegid’s global user conference, roared into Prague last month with a clear message for the industry. Retail doesn’t need more noise. What it does need, is sharper execution. But what does that actually look like?
  The event brought together 400+ retail leaders from across the globe for two days of workshops, plenary sessions, networking, debate and practical insight. Attendees included titans of the industry such as LVMH, Moncler, GANT and L’Occitane, a
  
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• Morrisons relaunches Market Street counters after customer outpouring

  03-07-2026 11:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Morrisons is bringing back its Market Street counters in response to customer feedback.
  It comes after the supermarket scrapped 35 meat and 35 fish counters from its sites across the UK last year as part of a cost-cutting measure.
  The retailer also closed 52 cafes, 13 florists, four pharmacies, and all 18 branches of its Market Kitchen format.
  Morrisons claimed at the time that the selected locations had been unprofitable, and the move was met with widespread backlash.
  However, signs have appear
  
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• Marks Electrical CFO Tom Pallatt to step down after less than a year

  03-07-2026 10:38 via theretailbulletin.com
  Marks Electrical has announced that its chief financial officer, Tom Pallatt, has decided to step down after less than a year with the business. Pallatt joined... View Article
  
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