Retail news

• Matalan hails strong third quarter performance

  19-01-2026 21:38 via theretailbulletin.com
  Matalan has reported a strong third quarter performance with EBITDA up 38% to £27 million. Like-for-like sales rose by 2% in the period and edged up... View Article
  
  Read more

• Asda putting more than 1000 jobs at risk by outsourcing George clothing, says GMB

  20-01-2026 16:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  GMB Union says Asda will outsource delivery of its clothing brand George to DHL, risking up to 1,200 jobs in the process.
  In a statement, the trade union said Asda currently runs distribution of its clothing label through three depots; Lymedale, North East Clothing and Brackmills.
  However, under a possible restructure, “the work will all move to one depot run by DHL in Derby”, the statement said.Related Story Asda restructure could put 150 jobs at risk19/01/2026 x 9:13 AMGMB nat
  
  Read more

• Dreams names new director of production

  20-01-2026 16:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Dreams has appointed Matt Richardson as its new director of production, as the retailer continues to invest in manufacturing.
  Richardson joins the UK bed retailer from Bensons for Beds, where he was head of manufacturing.
  He brings more than 20 years’ production and manufacturing leadership experience in the bedroom furniture sector, having also held senior roles at Steinhoff UK Beds and Hilding Anders.
  “I’m really pleased to be joining the team at Dreams,” he said.
  &ldqu
  
  Read more

• DFS raises profit outlook as it names new CFO

  20-01-2026 13:01 via theretailbulletin.com
  DFS Furniture has posted a 2.3% rise in group order intake for the first half of its financial year and upgraded its profit expectations. In the... View Article
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Kevel welcomes ad tech and retail media veteran Jaclyn Nix as Chief Operating Officer, accelerating retail media innovation

  20-01-2026 12:28 via theretailbulletin.com
  Kevel Continues to Strengthen its Position as a leader in Retail Media Innovation with the Appointment of Jaclyn Nix as Chief Operating Officer Kevel, the leading... View Article
  
  Read more

• ‘An evolving era of play’: UK toy sales rise for first time since pandemic

  20-01-2026 12:20
  Film and TV tie-ins, Lego sets and Toniebox speakers help push sales 6% higher in 2025, after five years of no growthBusiness live – latest updatesLego brick flowers, Toniebox audio players and Squishmallows are among the top sellers that have helped UK toy industry sales rise for the first time since the pandemic.In 2025 UK toy sales increased by 6% to £3.9bn, according to the annual industry report by the market research company Circana. The recovery was hailed as a “turning
  
  Read more

• Klarna’s Stablecoin bet: The first real test of crypto-as-infrastructure

  20-01-2026 12:05 via theretailbulletin.com
   Chris Jones, Managing Director at PSE Consulting: Klarna has been one of the great Fintech success stories of the 21st century: 114 million customers buying from... View Article
  
  Read more

• Majestic delivers best-ever Christmas as customer numbers surge

  20-01-2026 10:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Majestic recorded its strongest Christmas trading performance in its 45-year history, serving a record number of customers and outperforming the retail alcohol market.
  For the five weeks ending 29 December, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer reported a 0.9% rise in total sales, marking its 10th consecutive year of growth over the key Black Friday and December trading period.
  This was achieved despite the wider off-trade alcohol market shrinking by 4.1% during December, according to
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• MusicMagpie rolls out UK-wide Timpson partnership for instant smartphone trade-ins

  20-01-2026 10:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  AO World-owned MusicMagpie has launched a UK-wide partnership with Timpson to offer customers instant, in-store smartphone trade-ins, following a successful four-month trial.
  The service is now available in more than 1,300 Timpson stores nationwide, allowing customers to hand over unused smartphones, have them assessed in-store and receive payment within minutes.
  The initiative is designed to remove friction from the trade-in process and encourage consumers to unlock the value of unused tech.Rel
  
  Read more

• Matalan posts strong Q3 as digital growth and store investment drive margin gains

  20-01-2026 09:55 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Matalan has reported a robust third-quarter performance, underpinned by improving like-for-like sales, strong digital growth and continued focus on margins and operational efficiency.
  For the quarter ended 28 November 2025, the fashion and homeware retailer delivered pre-IFRS16 EBITDA of £27m, up 38% year on year. Like-for-like sales increased by 2% in Q3.Related Story DFS sales increase despite market uncertainty20/01/2026 x 8:32 AMDigital was a standout channel during the period, with on
  
  Read more

• Matalan plans 10 new stores despite ‘challenging economic backdrop’

  20-01-2026 09:55 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Matalan has delivered improved underlying profitability despite a revenue fall.
  For the 52 weeks ended 22 February 2025, total revenue fell 9% year on year to £985m, reflecting a deliberate focus on profitability rather than top-line growth amid intense competition.
  However, adjusted EBITDA rose 6% to £56m, supported by a 3% improvement in gross margin to £510m.
  The performance strengthened significantly in the second half of the year. EBITDA improved by £11m in H2, inclu
  
  Read more

• Comment: Overlook older shoppers at your peril

  20-01-2026 09:48 via theretailbulletin.com
  Marketing and advertising is perennially aimed at the younger end of the population while the older grouping is all too often ignored. Companies are wedded to... View Article
  
  Read more

• Knoops boosted by strong Christmas sales growth

  20-01-2026 09:42 via theretailbulletin.com
  The Knoops chocolate drinks retailer grew its UK store like-for-like sales by 12% over its six-week Christmas trading period. The company said the news means that... View Article
  
  Read more

• DFS sales increase despite market uncertainty

  20-01-2026 09:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  DFS Furniture has reported a strong first-half performance.
  In a trading update covering the 26 weeks to 28 December 2025, the furniture retailer said it expects underlying profit before tax to come in at £30–31m, representing a year-on-year increase of £13–14m.
  Order intake for the period rose 2.3%, with both the DFS and Sofology brands delivering growth.Related Story Matalan plans 10 new stores despite ‘challenging economic backdrop’20/01/2026 x 8:55 AMGross
  
  Read more

• Music Magpie partners with Timpson on in-store smartphone trade-ins

  20-01-2026 08:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  Electricals retailer AO World has announced that its Music Magpie recommerce business is partnering with Timpson to provide customers with a faster and more convenient way... View Article
  
  Read more

• Stuart Rose steps down as chair of EG Group ahead of US IPO

  20-01-2026 07:50 via theretailbulletin.com
  Stuart Rose has stepped down as chair of EG Group ahead of the forecourt operator’s planned flotation in New York later this year. The former M&S... View Article
  
  Read more

• Liberty appoints chief financial officer

  20-01-2026 07:10 via theretailbulletin.com
  Liberty has appointed Alex Pregnolato as chief financial officer. He has joined the business from De Beers BCM where he was chief financial officer and head... View Article
  
  Read more

• John Lewis tops UK retail customer satisfaction league table

  20-01-2026 07:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  John Lewis has emerged as one of the UK’s top performers for customer service as satisfaction levels recover across the economy, according to the latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI).
  The department store chain was the UK’s top retailer, however ranked second overall with a score of 86.4 out of 100, just behind first direct, which topped the table on 87.0.
  Telecommunication and media business Tesco Mobile came in at eight with 85.3, while Holland and Barrett and M&S (bot
  
  Read more

• Amazon gets a dressing down in luxury store Saks’ bankruptcy

  19-01-2026 18:21
  Tech group can draw some comfort from the fact that it is in good company
  
  Read more

• Six reasons your tax bill is bigger than expected this January

  19-01-2026 17:51 via retailgazette.co.uk
  For retail owners across the country, this month sees the deadline for filing their 2024-2025 tax return.
  And for many, January comes with a familiar shock: you check your Self Assessment calculation and think, ‘How can my bill be that high?’, writes Lee Murphy, managing director of The Accountancy Partnership.
  In a lot of cases, a bigger bill doesn’t mean something’s gone wrong, it’s often down to how Self Assessment payments are scheduled.
  For some taxpayers, the
  
  Read more

• Liberty names former De Beers executive as CFO

  19-01-2026 16:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Liberty has appointed Alex Pregnolato as its new chief financial officer, with the role taking effect immediately.
  Pregnolato joins Liberty with experience across the luxury retail sector. Most recently, he served as chief financial officer and head of transformation at De Beers, having previously held the role of chief financial officer for Versace Americas.
  Commenting on his appointment, Pregnolato said: “Liberty is a growing business, with incredible heritage, a powerful brand, and is a
  
  Read more

• Specsavers co-founder Doug Perkins receives CBE

  19-01-2026 14:49 via theretailbulletin.com
  Specsavers co-founder and chairman Doug Perkins has been formally presented with his Commander of the British Empire honour by the Princess Royal during an investiture ceremony... View Article
  
  Read more

• Specsavers founder and chairman awarded CBE

  19-01-2026 11:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Specsavers co-founder and chairman Doug Perkins has been awarded a CBE at an investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle.
  Presented by the Princess Royal, Perkins received the honour for services to business and trade, following his inclusion in the King’s Birthday Honours list last summer.
  He was accompanied by his wife, Dame Mary Perkins, who was awarded her own honour in 2007 for services to business and charity in Guernsey.
  Reflecting on the day, Mr Perkins said: “It was really f
  
  Read more

• WH Smith identifies new executive chairman

  19-01-2026 11:10 via retailgazette.co.uk
  The Board of WH Smith has announced its intention to appoint Leo Quinn as executive chairman with effect from 7 April 2026.
  The appointment will be subject to shareholder approval.
  Quinn has more than 20 years’ experience as CEO of UK publicly quoted companies, most recently as group chief executive of Balfour Beatty, the UK’s largest infrastructure company.
  In each case he has led significant business transformation, driving sustained cashflows and strong shareholder returns, includ
  
  Read more

• UK faces tariff threat as Trump demands Greenland deal

  19-01-2026 10:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  The UK is facing potential new US tariffs after Donald Trump threatened to impose trade penalties on Britain and seven other European countries unless the United States is allowed to buy Greenland.
  The US president said a 10% tariff would be introduced from 1 February on imports from the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.
  He warned the rate would rise to 25% from 1 June if no agreement was reached for what he described as “the complete and total purc
  
  Read more

• Landsec posts strong Christmas as footfall rises

  19-01-2026 10:24 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Property group Landsec reported a strong Golden Quarter performance, with its retail destinations outperforming the wider market as sales and footfall rose year on year.
  The business said sales across its retail and hospitality portfolio increased 4.9% during the Golden Quarter, beating the national retail benchmark, which fell 0.2% over the same period.
  During the three peak Christmas shopping weeks, sales were up 6.5% year on year.
  Footfall across Landsec’s major shopping centres an
  
  Read more

• Asda restructure could put 150 jobs at risk

  19-01-2026 10:13 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Asda is considering a restructure which could see 150 jobs at risk, it has been reported.
  The supermarket chain told media publications at the weekend that two consultations are underway. One relates to its 21 distribution centres, the other to its parcel delivery service.
  In a statement, an Asda spokesperson did not confirm how many jobs could be at risk.
  “We are proposing to introduce a new regional structure for our transport teams to simplify our distribution network and our deliveries
  
  Read more

• Lidl receives Top Employer 2026 award

  19-01-2026 09:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  German retailer Lidl has once again been certified as a “Top Employer”.
  Lidl has also received the Enterprise Seal, underlining the consistently high standards and quality processes for exemplary HR management at an international level across 31 countries.
  The Top Employers Institute is the global institution for certification of outstanding working conditions.
  Each year it selects the best employers around the world.Related Story Lidl names new CCO14/01/2026 x 11:07 AMFounded three
  
  Read more

• Footasylum to open 12,000 square foot store at Trinity Leeds

  19-01-2026 09:44 via theretailbulletin.com
  Footasylum is set to open a major new store at Trinity Leeds shopping centre this April. Situated in the former Superdry unit, the 12,000 square foot... View Article
  
  Read more

• WHSmith appoints Leo Quinn as executive chair

  19-01-2026 09:06
  Former Balfour Beatty boss targets rebuilding of relations with travel retailer’s investors after accounting scandal
  
  Read more

Follow @retailuknws on Twitter!