Retail news

• Interview: Krisi Smith on joining the judging panel

  21-03-2023 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  We talk to Krisi Smith, Cofounder of Bird & Blend Tea Co. about why she has joined the People in Retail judging panel for the 2023... View Article
  
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• There’s no hiding, digital product passports are coming. What opportunities are there for retailers?

  19-03-2026 15:13 via retailgazette.co.uk
  There is a word increasingly muttered across retail boardrooms: confusion.
  Digital Product Passports (DPPs) – the EU-backed system designed to embed detailed product data into everything from clothing to electronics – have been billed as the next era of supply chain transparency.
  Yet, for many brands, the reality today is that clarity around the scheme has been slow to emerge. A recent study from GS1 found that only 16 per cent of UK businesses feel fully prepared, while a further 79
  
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• Retailers hit hardest by ‘data paradox’ as AI ambitions collide with poor data quality

  19-03-2026 15:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Retailers are facing the most severe operational disruption from poor data quality among major industries, according to new research from MindBridge, as businesses accelerate investment in AI-driven transformation.
  The study, which surveyed 640 professionals across retail, manufacturing and energy, highlights what it describes as a growing “data paradox” where organisations are pushing toward AI-enabled efficiency while being held back by unreliable data foundations.
  Across all secto
  
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• HR AI tools for smarter retail HR management

  19-03-2026 14:15 via theretailbulletin.com
  HR leaders are increasingly recognising the value of HR AI tools, as they streamline recruitment, automate time-consuming tasks, and unlock employee data insights to support smarter,... View Article
  
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• John Lewis unveils second collaboration with Labrum

  19-03-2026 14:13 via theretailbulletin.com
  John Lewis has launched a second collaboration with the Labrum premium menswear brand. The collection introduces several new categories, including woven leather loafers, an embossed logo... View Article
  
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• Opinion: How 2025’s cyber ‘10 days of doom’ exposed the UK supply chain threat

  19-03-2026 13:58 via retailgazette.co.uk
  The hammering UK retailers took in 2025 from cyber security incidents has pushed the subject higher up corporate agendas, writes Ed Hayes, partner at TLT law firm (and ex-Clarks head of legal)…
  10 days of doom in late spring that hit Marks and Spencer, the Co-operative Group, and Harrods, focused minds on the consequences of cyber attacks.
  With Heathrow Airport, Adidas, H&M, and Jaguar Land Rover among the big retail and leisure sector names also impacted in 2025, the message is stark
  
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• Neutrogena marketing director on partnering with the BRITs and redefining relevance

  19-03-2026 13:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  The annual BRIT Awards is a riotous collision of music, fashion, beauty and social conversation. With brand partnerships and celebs galore, it’s a marketer’s dream, if they’re lucky enough to get their foot in the door.
  This year, the show took place at Manchester’s Co-op Arena at the end of February, and while the guest list was a who’s who of musicians and notable faces, brands were also out in full force.
  One such brand was household name Neutrogena. The brand ma
  
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• Magnet strengthens leadership team with two new hires

  19-03-2026 13:37 via theretailbulletin.com
  Magnet has strengthened its executive leadership team with the appointment of Rupert Nichols as customer and commercial director and Guy Tooth as supply chain director. The appointments... View Article
  
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• Dobbies to roll out new foodhalls under transformation strategy

  19-03-2026 13:19 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Dobbies has revealed its first UK store with a new cottage kitchen foodhall, with 47 more shops set to follow in the coming weeks.
  The garden centre is launching its new foodhalls under its transformation strategy as it separates from its grocery partner Waitrose. The business said its York site was the first to revamp its foodhall.
  Dobbies said its new foodhall reflected its commitment to investing in its York shop and responding to what local shoppers wanted.
  The foodhall launched with a serie
  
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• Zalando’s AI push meets rising fashion supply chain risk

  19-03-2026 13:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Zalando is stepping up its investment in automation, rolling out up to 50 AI-driven robots across its European fulfilment network in a move that underlines how central logistics has become to its growth story.
  The push follows Zalando last week delivering a robust set of results for 2025, showcasing both the scale of its platform and the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in modern retail supply chains.
  The Berlin-based group reported revenue of €12.3bn, up 16.8 per cen
  
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• UK exports jump £2bn in January but outlook uncertain, warns ParcelHero

  19-03-2026 11:58 via retailgazette.co.uk
  UK goods exports rose sharply at the start of 2026, but fresh risks from global trade tensions and geopolitical instability could quickly derail momentum, warned Parcelhero.
  Figures from the Office for National Statistics show exports increased by £2bn in January, a 6.7% rise month-on-month, with growth across both EU and non-EU markets.
  However, delivery specialist Parcelhero warned the strong performance may prove short-lived as headwinds build in key markets, particularly the US.
  Parcel
  
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• Berry growers warn of rising costs as Middle East conflict bites

  19-03-2026 11:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Rising costs linked to the Middle East conflict are beginning to hit UK fresh produce supply chains, with British berry growers warning of mounting pressure ahead of the summer season.
  British Berry Growers Association said disruption in the region is driving up key input costs, including fuel and fertiliser, as instability around the Strait of Hormuz impacts global supply routes.
  British Berry Growers Association chairman Nick Marston said growers are facing a “knock-on effect” as t
  
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• Costa, B&M and Poundstretcher among retailers named over minimum wage underpayments

  19-03-2026 10:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  A fresh government naming round has put several retailers and consumer-facing businesses under scrutiny after hundreds of firms were found to have underpaid workers.
  The Department for Business and Trade has named 389 employers for failing to pay the minimum wage, with total underpayments amounting to £7.3m and financial penalties reaching £12.6m.
  Around 60,000 workers were affected, according to the government.
  Among the retail and consumer brands named were Costa, Hays Travel, Hovi
  
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• Unilever weighs food business separation in major strategic pivot

  19-03-2026 10:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Unilever is exploring a potential separation of its food division in a move that would mark one of the most significant strategic overhauls in its modern history.
  According to reports, the FMCG giant is in early-stage discussions with advisers about options that could include spinning off most, or even all, of its food business.
  While no decisions have been made, any deal is unlikely to materialise before 2027, and the company may ultimately retain its current structure.
  A portfolio under transf
  
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• Is Sainsbury’s ‘misleading the public’ with freshly baked marketing claims?

  19-03-2026 10:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Sainsbury’s has reportedly confirmed that it no longer makes any bread from scratch in its in-store bakeries, as scrutiny grows over how supermarkets market “freshly baked” products.
  In a response to the Real Bread Campaign, a Sainsbury’s customer care representative said the retailer “no longer bake[s] individually in our in-store bakeries” and that breads are now “manufactured elsewhere”.
  The move means none of Sainsbury’s 1,400-plus stores
  
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• DFS nearly doubles profit despite footfall slump as wet weather hits retail

  19-03-2026 10:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Furniture retailer DFS has almost doubled its half-year profit despite a slowdown in store footfall.
  The London-listed group reported a pre-tax profit of £30m for the first half, up from £16m in the same period last year, as revenue rose nine per cent to £548m.
  Gross sales also increased nine per cent to £735m, signalling resilient demand despite a more challenging trading environment.
  The results come as retailers across the country grapple with declining footfall, with
  
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• Tesco invests £200m in pay as hourly rates rise by 5.1% to above £13

  19-03-2026 09:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Hundreds of thousands of Tesco employees are set to receive a pay rise this month, as the UK’s largest supermarket ramps up investment in frontline staff amid intensifying competition across the grocery sector.
  From 29 March, hourly pay for store workers and staff in online fulfilment centres will increase by 5.1 per cent to £13.28, representing a £200m investment by the retailer. Employees working within the M25 will see their hourly rate rise to £14.55, including an inc
  
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• The Perfume Shop sells 320,000 bottles of scent in run-up to Mother’s Day

  19-03-2026 09:37 via theretailbulletin.com
  The Perfume Shop has reported strong sales in the run-up to Mother’s Day, with 320,503 bottles sold between 22 February and 15 March. The retailer’s data... View Article
  
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• DFS delivers ‘robust’ results in subdued market

  19-03-2026 09:22 via theretailbulletin.com
  DFS has said it delivered robust financial results in its first half despite a subdued upholstery market. In the six months to 28 December, the retailer’s... View Article
  
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• Mango takes major step in US expansion with new Mall of America store

  19-03-2026 08:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  Mango has taken a major step in its international expansion with the opening of a new store at Mall of America, the largest shopping and entertainment... View Article
  
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• ASOS hires Natasha Jeffers as managing director of global trading

  19-03-2026 08:03 via theretailbulletin.com
  ASOS has appointed Natasha Jeffers to the newly created role of managing director of global trading. In her new position, she will be responsible for the... View Article
  
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• Waitrose launches Food Lovers Uncut series with first guest Connor Swindells

  19-03-2026 07:45 via theretailbulletin.com
  Waitrose is launching Food Lovers Uncut, a new long-form content series, hosted by food influencer Will Hughes, better known as What Willy Cook.  The retailer said... View Article
  
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• Kingfisher to launch agentic AI-powered shopping in UK and Europe

  19-03-2026 07:44 via theretailbulletin.com
  Kingfisher is to launch agentic AI shopping on its B&Q, Castorama France and Poland, and Brico Dépôt France websites. In a partnership with Google Cloud, the... View Article
  
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• KPMG and Harvey Nichols among employers found to have paid less than UK minimum wage

  19-03-2026 01:02
  Government steps up its enforcement of newly strengthened workers’ rights
  
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• Walmart wins patents to give algorithms more sway over prices

  18-03-2026 17:18
  Move comes amid intense debate in the US about using automated systems to adjust costs for consumers
  
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• Tesco to invest over £200 million in pay

  18-03-2026 15:08 via theretailbulletin.com
  Tesco is to increase hourly pay for staff in stores and online fulfilment centres to £13.28 an hour. The news follows the supermarket reaching an agreement... View Article
  
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• Portmeirion Group appoints new managing director for Wax Lyrical

  18-03-2026 14:32 via theretailbulletin.com
  Portmeirion Group has appointed Shaun Dubberley as the new managing director of its Wax Lyrical brand. With extensive experience in the FMCG and consumer goods sectors,... View Article
  
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• Boden widen entry into US market with opening of second store

  18-03-2026 11:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Boden is set to open its second US store in Nashville, Tennessee this summer.
  The 1700 sq ft store, which is located at Hill Center Green Hills, represents “the next step” in Boden’s growing physical presence in the US, according to the British clothing brand. 
  The news follows the launch of Boden’s first US store in Atlanta during November.
  The Nashville store will feature a womenswear edit “designed to celebrate warm-weather dressing,” with a “vib
  
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• Battersea Power Station director on why social influence is redefining retail destinations

  18-03-2026 11:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Social media has transformed how we perceive and engage with the world around us, writes Battersea Power Station’s leasing director Harriett Renny.
  But how important is social media to landlords making brand decisions on the retail and leisure mix within successful destinations?
  Research from Sprout Social last year revealed that 41 per cent of Gen Z use social media first when looking for information, making it their primary tool ahead of traditional search engines. This shift h
  
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• Moonpig forecasts profit growth and unveils £65m share buyback

  18-03-2026 11:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Moonpig Group forecast profit growth for its full financial year, as it unveiled a new £65 million share buyback.
  In a trading update for April 2025 to the end of April 2026, the cards specialist said it expected to deliver its FY26 guidance of mid-single digit percentage growth in group adjusted EBITDA.
  The company said it anticipated growth in adjusted earnings per share to be at the top-end of its guidance of 8 per cent to 12 per cent growth, supported by “strong free cash flow ge
  
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