Retail news

• Inter Ikea appoints former assistant to founder as chief executive

  11-02-2020 10:03 via ft.com
  Jon Abrahamsson Ring to take top job at group that controls furniture maker’s brand
  
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• JD Sports expands Meadowhall shopping centre flagship

  03-08-2026 11:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  JD Sports has expanded its flagship store at Meadowhall shopping centre, marking a “major investment” from the sports fashion retailer. 
  The opening signals “strong retailer confidence” in the shopping centre’s commercial performance and catchment, according to the business.
  The new 29,225 sq ft store, which is located on Meadowhall’s lower high street, is three times the size of the sportswear retailer’s former space at the destination. 
  Havin
  
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• Vinted reports jump in second-hand bridesmaid dresses searches

  03-08-2026 11:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Searches for second-hand bridesmaid dresses have risen 17 per cent year-on-year as shoppers look to cut the cost of taking part in weddings, according to figures from resale marketplace Vinted.
  A survey for the pre-loved platform found that almost a quarter of women who have been a bridesmaid have considered turning down the role because of the cost, rising to 35 per cent among those aged 25 to 34.
  Almost six in 10 former bridesmaids said the role cost more than they had expected, while a third
  
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• Abercrombie & Fitch explores what it ‘means to be iconic’ in new campaign

  03-08-2026 11:47 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Abercrombie & Fitch has unveiled its Autumn 2026 denim campaign starring models Emily Ratajkowski and Paloma Elsesser, as well as New York Giants players Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers.
  The campaign was inspired by the “energy of New York City” and explores “what it means to be iconic”.
  It features denim items from the retailer’s autumn range including its women’s High Rise Wide leg Jean, Low Ruse Ultra Loose Jean and High Rise Relaxed Jean. It also spotligh
  
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• Abercrombie & Fitch explore what it ‘means to be iconic’ in new campaign

  03-08-2026 11:47 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Abercrombie & Fitch has unveiled its Autumn 2026 denim campaign starring models Emily Ratajkowski and Paloma Elsesser, as well as New York Giants players Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers.
  The campaign was inspired by the “energy of New York City” and explores “what it means to be iconic”.
  It features denim items from the retailer’s autumn range including its women’s High Rise Wide leg Jean, Low Ruse Ultra Loose Jean and High Rise Relaxed Jean. It also spotligh
  
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• Retailers hit back at Chancellor John Healey over cost of living comments

  03-08-2026 10:41 via theretailbulletin.com
  Retailers have hit back following the new Chancellor of the Exchequer’s comments on the cost of living over the weekend, in which he said the Government…
  
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• Innovators and standout brands revealed in Retail Excellence Awards shortlists

  03-08-2026 10:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  The latest finalists have been announced for the RG Retail Excellence Awards 2026, celebrating exceptional store openings and leading names across homeware, own-brand retail and beauty…
  Retailers and brands spanning fashion, grocery, home improvement, health and beauty have secured places on four new shortlists for this year’s RG Retail Excellence Awards.
  The finalists have been revealed for New Store of the Year, Homeware Retailer of the Year, Own Brand of the Year and Beauty Retai
  
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• Inside M&S’ revamped Oxford Street Pantheon flagship

  03-08-2026 09:58 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Marks & Spencer has completed the transformation of its Pantheon flagship on London’s Oxford Street, which will reportedly serve as a testing ground for new store concepts before they are rolled out across its wider estate.
  M&S has refurbished almost 100,000sq ft of shopping space across four floors, bringing together its food, fashion, beauty and home divisions under a revamped format.
  The final phase of the project has opened the upper floors housing menswear, kidswear, lingerie
  
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• Scotmid CEO Karen Scott appointed chair of Scottish Retail Consortium

  03-08-2026 09:33 via theretailbulletin.com
  The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has appointed Scotmid Coop chief executive Karen Scott as its new chair, effective 1 August 2026. Scott succeeds Debbie Harding, who…
  
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• Shein weighs investor payouts ahead of Hong Kong IPO

  03-08-2026 09:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Shein is reportedly considering compensating some of its late-stage investors, before pursuing a Hong Kong flotation at a substantially reduced valuation.
  It could offer investors a combination of cash payments and additional Class B shares, according to Bloomberg News, as it aims to lower their effective investment costs ahead of the proposed listing.
  The measures would apply to backers that participated in Shein’s pre-Series D, Series D and Series D+ funding rounds.
  The reset would align
  
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• Amazon slapped with lawsuit over seafood sustainability claims

  03-08-2026 09:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Amazon is facing a proposed class action accusing the retail giant of misleading shoppers about the environmental credentials of seafood sold through its platform.
  The lawsuit, filed in a Seattle federal court on 31 July, alleges that product descriptions using terms such as “dolphin safe”, “responsibly sourced”, “sustainable” and “wild caught” led consumers to believe the products caused minimal harm to oceans and the wider environment.
  Claimants
  
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• Boots future in doubt after Weston family slashes £7bn offer

  03-08-2026 09:09 via retailgazette.co.uk
  The proposed £7bn sale of Boots to the billionaire Weston family has reportedly stalled after the prospective buyer reportedly reduced its offer.
  Boots owner Sycamore Partners is understood to have rejected the revised bid, leaving negotiations over a possible takeover at a standstill, according to The Times.
  The Weston family is said to have lowered its offer after a rival suitor withdrew from the sale process. Sycamore had previously held discussions with several prospective buyers, incl
  
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• TG Jones to scupper Southend store as restructuring continues

  03-08-2026 09:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Embattled retailer TG Jones is set to close its Southend High Street branch next month, as it presses ahead with its store restructuring programme.
  The company will cease trading from the site on 26 September, with a closing-down sale offering shoppers discounts of up to 30 per cent.
  The closure will also result in the loss of Southend’s main Post Office, which operates from the floor above the store. Customers will be directed to the nearest alternative branches on Sutton Road and Hamlet
  
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• JD Sports triples flagship store size at Meadowhall to 29,225 square feet

  03-08-2026 09:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  JD Sports has relocated and tripled the size of its flagship store at Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre, expanding to 29,225 square feet as part of a…
  
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• B&M poised to complete POS overhaul across more than 790 UK stores

  03-08-2026 08:55 via retailgazette.co.uk
  B&M has today revealed the details of a partnership with PMC to modernise its point-of-sale systems across its entire UK store estate.
  The company has introduced new POS hardware and software across more than 790 stores, as part of a programme designed to ‘improve operational agility, speed up transactions and enhance the customer experience’.
  The rollout replaces B&M’s legacy till systems with a more reliable and standardised platform, promising increased uptime, impro
  
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• EG On The Move completes acquisition of 260 petrol stations in France

  03-08-2026 08:28 via theretailbulletin.com
  EG On The Move, the petrol and convenience retail operator, has completed the acquisition of 260 forecourt sites in France from EG Group, marking a major…
  
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• ‘Crush this lady’: how eBay harassment campaign led to $56mn payout

  02-08-2026 14:00 via ft.com
  Employees’ cyberstalking of Boston couple involving macabre deliveries ended in jail time and financial settlement
  
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• Beating Berlin’s Sunday blues

  01-08-2026 06:00 via ft.com
  Germany’s weekly retail shutdown is bad for the country’s economy and the atmosphere of its cities
  
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• Directors’ Deals: M&S directors cash out as shares climb

  31-07-2026 19:00 via ft.com
  Retailer seems to have shrugged off effects of cyber attack
  
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• Beauty in rude health

  31-07-2026 13:43 via theretailbulletin.com
  Nobody needs to be told that retail has had a tough time over recent years but one category – outside of the essential that is food…
  
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• The Entertainer partners with Meccano to bring two exclusive sets to shelves

  31-07-2026 13:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Meccano has partnered with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One and Ducati to create two limited-edition sets, available exclusively at The Entertainer.
  The limited-edition Meccano Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Race Car is priced at £200 and uses 1,203 Meccano pieces.
  According to the retailer, the first 200 sets will feature an “exclusive” collectible poster.Related StoryThe Entertainer partners with Meccano to bring two exclusive sets to shelves 31/07/2026 x 12:14 PMThe Meccano
  
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• Halfords to join FTSE 250 after strategic and financial progress

  31-07-2026 12:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Halfords is officially set to join the FTSE 250 Index next month, following improved trading, higher margins and stronger shareholder returns.
  FTSE Russell confirmed that Halfords will enter the index with effect from 4 August 2026.
  Halfords said the promotion reflects the progress made under its growth strategy, which has focused on improving financial performance and strengthening the customer experience.
  The retailer’s recent results showed that the “Optimise” phase of its s
  
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• Depop: from tech incubator to $1.2bn pre-loved platform

  31-07-2026 11:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  On 30 July 2026, eBay completed its acquisition of Depop, a London-based consumer-to-consumer (C2C) fashion marketplace with a “highly engaged” Gen Z and Millennial customer base.
  “As a global leader in C2C and recommerce, eBay’s acquisition of Depop further strengthens our C2C value proposition,” says Jamie Iannone, chief executive officer of eBay.
  “This combines two distinct customer experiences and expands our reach with the next generation of buyers and se
  
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• Essential Parfums to open first UK store in Soho

  31-07-2026 11:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  French perfume retailer Essential Parfums is set to make its UK debut, with its first standalone store outside of France launching at 37 Beak Street, Soho, in early October. 
  The new 795 sq ft store will showcase the brand’s range of fragrances, created in collaboration with perfumers including Calice Becker, Quentin Bisch, and Nathalie Lorson. 
  Inspired by Parisian apartments and French boutiques, the shop will feature a minimalist aesthetic that “places the focus firmly o
  
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• Adidas appoints Birgit Kretschmer as new CFO

  31-07-2026 10:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Birgit Kretschmer has been named as the new adidas chief financial officer, effective from September 1 2026.
  She will be taking over from the current chief financial officer, Harm Ohlmeyer, who has decided not to extend his executive board mandate.
  Kretschmer has over 30 years of experience in finance and is returning to the firm from fashion retailer C&A to take this position. She previously spent 25 years at the company, in various positions including CFO of adidas International BV, senior
  
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• Sainsbury’s to sell Argos to Swift Partners in £120m deal

  31-07-2026 10:14 via theretailbulletin.com
  Sainsbury’s is to sell Argos to Swift Partners in a £120 million deal as it looks to focus on its food business. Swift is a new…
  
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• Majestic unveils new Trowbridge store as part of £4m expansion

  31-07-2026 10:12 via theretailbulletin.com
  Majestic has unveiled the first new store of its current financial year as part of a £4 million investment in new sites. The branch on Trowbridge’s…
  
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• Retail sales growth stalls in second half of July

  31-07-2026 09:52 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  UK retail sales growth slowed sharply during the final two weeks of July as cautious consumers pulled back on discretionary spending.
  Total like-for-like sales across fashion, lifestyle and homeware rose 2.7 per cent compared with July 2025, according to BDO’s latest High Street Sales Tracker.
  However, BDO said growth was only slightly above inflation, indicating that the volume of goods sold increased marginally year on year.
  In-store sales climbed 3.8 per cent, marking their strongest pe
  
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• Sainsbury’s strikes deal to sell Argos for £120mn to Swift Partners

  31-07-2026 09:48 via ft.com
  Sale marks UK retailer’s second attempt to offload general merchandise chain as it focuses on its core food business
  
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• TikTok Shop hits 300,000 UK small business sellers as live sales surge

  31-07-2026 09:24 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  More than 300,000 UK small businesses are now selling through TikTok Shop, the company has confirmed.
  TikTok Shop said the number of new sellers joining had increased 200 per cent year on year, while sales generated through TikTok Shop Live sessions rose 55 per cent.
  More than 6,000 live shopping broadcasts now take place on the platform in the UK each day.
  TikTok Shop said independent retailers were increasingly using live commerce to reach shoppers beyond their local communities, answer produc
  
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