Retail news

• Just launched: The Deskless Report 2024

  06-11-2024 08:17 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Frontline challenges have evolved—here’s how to keep up
  When we last examined the state of the frontline two years ago, our findings showed a frontline stretched thin, balancing burnout, uncertainty and reactive decisions in the aftermath of the pandemic. Fast forward to 2024, and while some challenges have eased, others persist, reshaping the realities of frontline work.
  Our new Deskless Report 2024 dives into this evolution, sharing fresh insights from five industries: retail, groc
  
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• From hidden to recommended: How to make AI choose your store  

  09-06-2026 10:03 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Currently, store recommendations in AI chats look like simple text responses. However, the evolution of AI interfaces will inevitably transform these mentions into interactive commercial elements. If today AI simply tells a user where to buy a product, tomorrow it will provide direct “add-to-cart” links.
  We are already witnessing a fundamental shift in search architecture: Google is increasingly placing AI Overviews at the very top of the results page. This AI block pushes traditiona
  
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• Health & beauty retailer, Bodycare, selects PMC for greenfield digital transformation as it prepares for its High Street comeback

  09-06-2026 09:38 via theretailbulletin.com
  Bodycare will partner with commerce technology specialist, PMC, to design, orchestrate and deliver the digital infrastructure that will power its new store network as the health &... View Article
  
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• Cost-conscious shoppers won’t compromise on convenience

  09-06-2026 09:38 via theretailbulletin.com
  Consumers may be thinking more carefully about what they buy, but when they do make a purchase, they increasingly expect faster and more reliable delivery, according... View Article
  
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• ASOS plotting opening of first permanent store

  09-06-2026 09:38 via theretailbulletin.com
  ASOS is reportedly planning to open a first permanent store as it looks to extend its reach beyond online. According to The Sun, the fashion retailer... View Article
  
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• Topshop launches standalone website in Ireland

  09-06-2026 08:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Topshop has launched its own standalone website in Ireland as it expands its direct-to-consumer push across Europe.
  The move gives Irish shoppers access to the fashion brand’s full collections through Topshop.com and takes its dedicated ecommerce platform to 24 EU nations.
  More than 50,000 Irish customers bought Topshop through Asos last year, making Ireland one of the brand’s most engaged markets outside the UK.
  Asos said shoppers in the country bought from the brand more frequentl
  
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• Retail sales rebound as warm weather lifts May spending

  09-06-2026 08:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  UK retail sales rebounded in May as warm weather and the early bank holiday drove demand for summer clothing, outdoor goods and food.
  Total retail sales rose 3.7 per cent year on year in May, according to the British Retail Consortium, marking the strongest increase since April 2025.
  The rise followed a three per cent fall in April, with food sales up 3.9 per cent and non-food sales climbing 3.5 per cent.
  BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “May’s heatwave drove a surge in outd
  
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• Asos plots first permanent store in London

  09-06-2026 08:38 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Asos was reportedly seeking a London site for its first permanent bricks-and-mortar store after 26 years as an online retailer.
  The ecommerce giant is reportedly currently in the process of looking for a 4000 sq ft to 8000 sq ft unit in a high-footfall location.
  Oxford Street, Regent Street, Long Acre and King’s Road were among the retail destinations understood to be under consideration.
  The move would mark Asos’ first permanent physical store, although the retailer has tested in-p
  
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• Wyse London hires Cathy Newnes-Smith as CEO

  09-06-2026 08:10 via theretailbulletin.com
  Womenswear brand Wyse London has appointed former Stripe & Stare head Cathy Newnes-Smith as its new chief executive. Newnes-Smith was chief executive of Stripe & Stare... View Article
  
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• Berghaus to open first standalone store in North West

  09-06-2026 08:10 via theretailbulletin.com
  Berghaus, the British outdoor clothing and equipment brand, is to open is first standalone store in the North West at Manchester Arndale. Due to launch later... View Article
  
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• Bite Back: Junk food chains getting around advert rules by using social media

  09-06-2026 01:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  According to youth health charity Bite Back, Britain’s largest fast food chains have been using social media to advertise junk food to young people.
  The charity highlights that social media is outside the reach of the advertising rules, which stipulate companies can no longer buy ads online or on TV before 9pm for less healthy food and drink.
  Bite Back analysed three months worth of Instagram and TikTok posts from the top 10 food chains popular with young people including KFC, Domino&rsquo
  
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• Gymshark collaborates with Bratz on activewear collection

  08-06-2026 20:21 via theretailbulletin.com
  Gymshark has launched a four-piece clothing collection in collaboration with the iconic Bratz dolls. The sportswear brand said the sculpting and seamless range, which includes a... View Article
  
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• Estée Lauder expands UK manufacturing with fragrance investment

  08-06-2026 17:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Estée Lauder Companies is set to invest in its UK manufacturing network, as its Whitman facility in Petersfield celebrates its 60th anniversary.
  The company is set to integrate selected luxury candle and home fragrance capabilities from long-standing supplier Contract Candles into its UK operations.
  The move includes taking over the lease of one of Contract Candles’ facilities, bringing approximately 50 employees into the business over time and adding research, development and q
  
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• CMA opens merger inquiry into eBay takeover of Depop

  08-06-2026 17:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Competition and Markets Authority has formally launched a phase one investigation into eBay’s proposed acquisition of Depop.
  The UK competition regulator confirmed today (8 June) that the merger notice submitted by eBay and Depop meets the requirements of the Enterprise Act 2002, allowing the review process to begin.
  The CMA said the initial review period will begin on 9 June, with a deadline of 6 August 2026 to decide whether the transaction should be extended for a more detailed
  
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• M&S signs new franchise agreement for the Philippines

  08-06-2026 16:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  M&S has signed a franchise agreement in the Philippines after announcing earlier this year that it would be moving to a new partner in the country.... View Article
  
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• M&S signs new franchise partnership in the Philippines

  08-06-2026 16:13 via theretailbulletin.com
  M&S has signed a franchise agreement in the Philippines after announcing earlier this year that it would be moving to a new partner in the country.... View Article
  
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• Hotel Chocolat to open new space at White Rose Shopping Centre

  08-06-2026 15:28 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Hotel Chocolat is launching a new space at White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds. 
  The new site will combine a luxury retail store with a dedicated Velvetiser Café, allowing guests to “explore cacao in all its forms”.
  The Velvetiser Café will serve bakes and cakes inspired by the retailer’s most-loved chocolates, which are designed to pair perfectly with the drinks menu. 
  Visitors can choose from 19 core hot drinking chocolate flavours, limited-editio
  
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• Superdrug axes skincare brand as UK readies West Bank settlement sanctions

  08-06-2026 14:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The UK is preparing a package of sanctions targeting companies linked to a proposed West Bank settlement development that would make the two-state solution virtually impossible.
  The plan has been widely criticised by governments, warning it could undermine the prospects of a contiguous Palestinian territory and a two-state solution.
  The UK Foreign Office and several Western governments are expected to announce measures aimed at deterring corporate involvement in the E1 settlement project, accord
  
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• The Future of Retail Operations 2026 – Balancing technology with people

  08-06-2026 14:19 via theretailbulletin.com
  Balancing technology, notably AI-powered solutions, with the human side of retail is high up the agenda of many retailers who want to leverage the latest tech... View Article
  
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• Guess launches ambitious private island takeover in Zanzibar

  08-06-2026 14:07 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Guess has unveiled ‘Guess Island’, a private island takeover off the coast of Zanzibar.
  The brand has reportedly transformed selected areas of Bawe Island into a branded destination experience running from May to August 2026.
  The activation builds on Guess’ established beach club partnerships in destinations including Ibiza, Mykonos, Taormina, Forte dei Marmi, Turkey and Dubai.
  Bawe Island, part of The Cocoon Collection, spans more than 30 hectares and is home to 70 private vil
  
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• M&S offers 1,000 training places for young people

  08-06-2026 13:40 via theretailbulletin.com
  M&S has launched a new training scheme to help young people get on the career ladder as it looks to help tackle the “growing youth unemployment... View Article
  
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• From Catalogue to Conversion: Feedonomics Data Enrichment

  08-06-2026 13:40 via theretailbulletin.com
  The rules of being found online have changed. A decade ago, a product showed up because its title matched a keyword. Today, a product shows up... View Article
  
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• Marks & Spencer signs new Philippines franchise deal

  08-06-2026 13:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Marks & Spencer has signed a new franchise agreement in the Philippines with PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk, as the retailer looks to accelerate its international growth through strategic partnerships.
  The deal will see M&S work with Universal Fashion Philippines Inc, a subsidiary of PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk, known as MAP, to relaunch its fashion, home, beauty and food offer in the market later this year.
  The first store under the new partnership is set to open in Glorietta in Manila.
  M&S ha
  
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• M&S Ireland ‘Farm to Foodhall’ ad given 5.9 star rating by System 1

  08-06-2026 13:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  M&S Ireland’s ‘Farm to Foodhall’ campaign has been given a 5.9 star rating from consultancy System 1.System 1 predicts long term brand growth by measuring the publics emotional response to advertising. According the platform, only 1 per cent of ads achieve a rating of 5.0 or higher.The ad features Irish celebrity chef Mark Moriarty sampling strawberries at a partner farm and is part of its ‘Farm to Foodhall’ brand platform which runs in the UK and Ireland (howe
  
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• Sephora announces ‘Sephora summer’ and reveals opening dates for four new stores

  08-06-2026 12:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Sephora UK has announced a ‘Sephora summer’ as it revealed the opening dates for its next four store launches. 
  The makeup retailer’s new stores, which will be based across Scotland and Central London, debuts its small format boutiques approach. They form part of its broader retail strategy, which aims to bring its ‘temples of beauty’ to all corners of the UK.
  Sephora’s St James Quarter Edinburgh store will open on 09 July, comprising 4,961 sq ft of retai
  
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• Fortnum & Mason names 15 winners of emerging food and drink search

  08-06-2026 12:28 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Fortnum & Mason has selected 15 emerging food and drink producers as winners of its 2026 Fortnum & Makers Open Call, following a competition that attracted more than 450 submissions from across the UK.
  The scheme is designed to find new independent brands for the luxury retailer’s Piccadilly flagship store, with entries assessed on originality, sustainability and alignment with Fortnum & Mason’s values.
  It is understood that this year’s brief also included products
  
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• Gymshark unveils new Bratz collab encouraging girls to “own their individuality”

  08-06-2026 12:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Fitness and sportswear brand Gymshark has teamed up with doll brand Bratz to encourage girls to “own their individuality”.
  To celebrate the launch of the new line, the collaboration hosted a fully immersive experience in Miami.
  The experience aimed to give visitors a “bratified” gym experience. It included an outdoor gym with female-only staff.
  Designed with women in mind, it featured purple turf and workout zones titled ‘Bestie Zone’, and ‘Heavyweight D
  
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• Data: Nearly a third of shoppers would let AI make purchases within five years, says DHL

  08-06-2026 12:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Nearly a third of shoppers would be willing to let artificial intelligence make purchasing decisions on their behalf within the next five years, according to new research from DHL eCommerce.
  The logistics firm’s E-Commerce Trends Report 2026, based on responses from 29,000 consumers and 5,800 businesses across 29 countries, found that 29% of shoppers would be happy for AI to make shopping decisions or purchases for them. The figure rises to 33% among Gen Z shoppers and 36% among millennial
  
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• H&M unveils new campaign for Solar Club collaboration

  08-06-2026 12:13 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  H&M MOVE and H&M Home unveiled a new campaign for its collaboration with with Solar Club, a French creative community.
  It was shot in Marseille region of France shows offline moments such as swimming in the sea and meals at sunset.
  The lifestyle collection was inspired by “movement and connection” and features swimwear, running wear, oversized tees, beach textiles and tableware. It combines “sun-washed tones with deeper shades”.
  The collection is available from Ju
  
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• Inside Boots beauty-only concept store in Bristol

  08-06-2026 12:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  As the UK’s number one beauty destination, it’s no secret that beauty forms a key pillar of Boots’ retail operations.
  The business launched its first beauty-only concept store in 2023 at London’s Battersea Power Station, as it continued to invest in its beauty halls and advisors across its UK portfolio.
  Now, the cosmetics brand has branched out to open its first beauty concept store outside of the capital in Bristol’s Cabot Circus Shopping Centre.
  The new concept st
  
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