Retail news

• O2 unveils new store openings

  10-12-2025 10:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Outlet Shopping at The O2 has unveiled its latest round of store openings, including Lovisa, T.M Lewin and The Entertainer.
  Pop Mart will also be opening a new ‘roboshop’, and New Balance has upscaled its unit.
  It follows the announcement that Guinness World Records will be opening its first permanent entertainment venue in the UK at the O2.Related Story The O2 hails ‘record breaking’ year of trade03/01/2024 x 9:35 AMLouisa Dalgleish, leasing director at Outlet Shopping a
  
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• Conversation with… Toby Brittan, co-founder of Whites Beaconsfield

  12-12-2025 16:09 via theretailbulletin.com
  Here we speak with Toby Brittan (pictured right), co-founder and chief executive of Whites Beaconsfield, about the brand’s rapid rise, its phenomenal success on TikTok Shop,... View Article
  
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• Evri recruiting 2,500 new workers

  12-12-2025 15:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Evri is taking on 2,500 new UK staff members as it pushes ahead with its expansion.
  The courier service is carrying out the recruitment drive as demand for parcels continues to rise. The move comes after Evri merged with DHL’s UK ecommerce business earlier in the year, to form a new delivery giant that handled more than a billion parcels and letters per year.
  The firm has also acquired other companies including UK Mail and Coll-8 throughout the last year.Related Story Deliveroo expands &ls
  
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• WHSmith postpones annual results for second time

  12-12-2025 15:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  WHSmith has pushed back its annual results for the second time as it faces continued fallout from its accounting errors.
  The travel retailer revealed that its results, which were due to be reported on 16 December, would be delayed until 19 December to give its auditor PwC “further time to complete the required audit procedures”.
  The move comes after WHSmith pushed back the date of its results in October. They were originally due to be reported on 12 November.
  In November, the company
  
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• Card Factory cuts profit forecast

  12-12-2025 12:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Card Factory has lowered its profit forecast as it highlighted weak consumer confidence and soft high street footfall.
  The cards specialist said it expected to deliver pre-tax profit between £55m and £60m in its annual results, assuming that current trading trends persisted over the remaining seven weeks of its financial year.
  The brand previously forecast roughly £70m profit for the period.
  Card Factory said: “Over recent months, the pressures facing the UK consumer have
  
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• John Lewis launches premium hospitality experiences ahead of Christmas

  12-12-2025 11:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  John Lewis has added three new hospitality destinations to its stores ahead of the festive shopping season. 
  The department store giant, which recently introduced a VIP lounge to its Oxford Street flagship, has opened a 250 sq ft champagne bar in the atrium of Peter Jones, Sloane Square. 
  The pop-up festive bar, which will remain in place until early January, features twenty stools around a central bar, alongside additional small tables.
  In a European first, Warabi-Mochi Kamakura, a pr
  
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• Why DEFRA’s F-gas consultation demands urgent attention from operators

  12-12-2025 11:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  By Chris Chisman, Managing Director, Abbey Design Associates, a Lowe Rental company
  DEFRA’s newly opened consultation on reforms to the F-gas Regulation may not be grabbing headlines just yet, but make no mistake, this is one of the most consequential policy shifts facing retailers, foodservice operators and the wider built-environment community in years.
  The proposal, which is open until 17 December, sets out a steeper phasedown of refrigerant Global Warming Potential (GWP).  Hydrofl
  
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• LISTEN: Powering peak with smarter scheduling

  12-12-2025 10:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Retailers often think of the golden quarter in terms of stock, promotions and delivery speed. But behind every sale, every dispatch, and every customer interaction is a fundamental frontline team under immense pressure.
  In 2025, with labour shortages, rising costs, and burnout at record highs, managing your workforce
  Erik Fjellborg, CEO & founder, Quinyx
  effectively could be the single biggest determinant of whether you thrive or stumble this peak.
  In this episode of Retail Unpacked, we spe
  
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• Pret A Manger appoints Ross Warnes as UK & Ireland president

  12-12-2025 10:43 via theretailbulletin.com
  Pret A Manger has appointed Ross Warnes as president of its largest market, the UK and Ireland.  Due to join the business in January, Warnes has... View Article
  
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• Pret A Manger appoints appoints Ross Warnes as UK & Ireland president

  12-12-2025 10:43 via theretailbulletin.com
  Pret A Manger has appointed Ross Warnes as president of its largest market, the UK and Ireland.  Due to join the business in January, Warnes has... View Article
  
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• Lululemon CEO to depart after seven years

  12-12-2025 10:25 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald is set to depart from the retailer in 2026, after seven years in the role.
  McDonald will leave his position as CEO and member of the board of directors on 31 January, the sportswear chain revealed yesterday (11 December). 
  He is set to serve as senior advisor to the brand until 31 March 2026.
  Lululemon is currently looking for its next chief executive. 
  Chief financial officer Meghan Frank and chief commercial officer André Maestrini will work as th
  
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• Pret A Manger names UK and Ireland President

  12-12-2025 10:09 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Sandwich chain Pret A Manger has named Ross Warnes as its new UK and Ireland president.Warnes will join the firm from January 2026 and will oversee oversee Pret’s UK and Ireland stores. He will be responsible for growing market share and increasing transactions.Prior to this role, Warnes held positions at Kraft Heinz, including Area Vice President and VP of Sales for Northern Europe. He has also worked for Unilever and Nestle UK. Related Story Pret trials meal deals as chain targets lunch
  
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• UK retail set for slight Christmas boost, says PwC

  12-12-2025 10:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Retailers should expect a modest sales increase in the days leading to Christmas, according to new figures by tax and advisory consultants PwC.
  The firm predicts consumers will spend as much as £24.6 billion on gifts and events this festive period, an increase of 3.5% on the same period last year.
  The PwC research, which was published today (12 December), said the average Christmas spend per UK adult would increase to £461.Related Story Data: Budget added to consumer caution, says RS
  
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• Cardfactory warns on profit amid weak consumer confidence

  12-12-2025 09:56 via theretailbulletin.com
  Cardfactory has warned on profit after trading was impacted by weaker consumer confidence and softer footfall. In a trading update, the greeting cards retail group said... View Article
  
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• Lululemon chief executive to step down

  12-12-2025 09:28 via theretailbulletin.com
  Lululemon has announced that its chief executive Calvin McDonald is planning to step down at the end of January. However, he will serve as a senior... View Article
  
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• Universal Music Group to open record shop in London

  12-12-2025 08:56 via theretailbulletin.com
  Universal Music Group is to open a record shop in London’s Camden Market next week. Developed in partnership with UMusic Hospitality & Lifestyle, the store will... View Article
  
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• WHSmith delays results again to give auditor PwC more time

  12-12-2025 08:24 via ft.com
  Retailer has been hit by accounting errors that led to resignation of chief executive last month
  
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• John Lewis introduces new premium hospitality experiences in time for Christmas

  12-12-2025 08:24 via theretailbulletin.com
  John Lewis has launched new hospitality destinations in three of its stores in the run-up to Christmas. The retailer has introduced a new 250 square foot Lanson... View Article
  
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• Hurr expands Dress to Door partnership with Deliveroo

  12-12-2025 08:21 via theretailbulletin.com
  The Hurr fashion rental platform has expanded its Dress to Door partnership with Deliveroo to make its clothing available in more UK cities, towns and counties.... View Article
  
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• Data: Budget added to consumer caution, says RSM UK

  11-12-2025 16:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Last month’s budget (on 26 November) gave consumers little comfort as they chose to double-down on saving in favour of spending, according to RSM UK’s latest research.
  RSM’s quarterly Consumer Outlook survey found that if given a £5,000 windfall this week, nearly 60% of consumers would choose to either save it (38%) or pay down existing debt (19%).
  Only 8% would spend it on Christmas presents in the latest blow to the retail industry.
  In fact, 57% of consumers plan to sav
  
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• Inside retail planning transformation: lessons from Charles Tyrwhitt

  11-12-2025 14:55 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Retailers today are under immense pressure to make faster, smarter, and more connected decisions. Yet, for many, siloed and outdated planning tools make this goal feel out of reach.
  But diving into a planning transformation project without a very clear idea of what outcome best suits your business is a fundamental mistake.
  In this exclusive webinar presented by Retail Gazette alongside Board and bdg, we went behind the scenes of Charles Tyrwhitt’s real-world merchandise planning transforma
  
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• River Island to close 33 stores

  11-12-2025 10:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  High Street fashion brand River Island will close 33 stores across the UK before the end of January.
  In addition to the closures, the company will pay reduced rent on 71 stores as part of a restructuring plan that aims to prevent the firm from going into administration, reports The Sun.
  It has requested landlords to cut its rent for three years and potentially stop payments on some units to try and curb its losses. The plan was approved in August of this year by a High Court Judge.
  Retail Gazet
  
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• Sainsbury’s backs Fairtrade call for new tea supply regulations

  11-12-2025 10:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Sainsbury’s has thrown its support behind a growing industry-wide push for stronger human rights and environmental oversight in tea supply chains, after confirming it has converted 100% of its black tea sourcing to Fairtrade this year.
  The move deepens the supermarket’s 23-year partnership with Fairtrade and aligns the retailer with sector calls for a more resilient, sustainable tea industry.
  The announcement comes as Fairtrade campaigners, retailers, brands and MPs gathered outside
  
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• Desert Island Stores: Sarah Vachon, co-founder of Citizens of Soil

  11-12-2025 09:36 via theretailbulletin.com
  In this latest Desert Island Stores interview, Glynn Davis speaks with Sarah Vachon, co-founder of Citizens of Soil. The store you remember from childhood? My mother... View Article
  
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• Topshop to return to Australia

  11-12-2025 08:18 via theretailbulletin.com
  Topshop is to return to Australia by launching in 56 Myer department stores in February. Available exclusively in-store and online at Myer, the collection will feature... View Article
  
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• Bird & Blend opens 30th UK store

  11-12-2025 07:47 via theretailbulletin.com
  Bird & Blend Tea Co. has opened its 30th retail store in the UK as it continues its investment in high street retail. The launch in... View Article
  
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• Morrisons adds 350 Amazon return kiosks in stores nationwide

  11-12-2025 07:31 via theretailbulletin.com
  Morrisons has expanded its collaboration with Amazon by introducing 350 Amazon return kiosks in its stores. The move means that customers can take advantage of Amazon’s... View Article
  
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• Club L London reports ‘outstanding’ year of growth

  11-12-2025 07:28 via theretailbulletin.com
  Club L London has reported an outstanding year of growth with turnover rising by 48% to £65.9 million in the 12 months to March 2025. Gross... View Article
  
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• Outlet Shopping at The O2 ends year with wave of new signings

  11-12-2025 07:15 via theretailbulletin.com
  Outlet Shopping at The O2 has announced a wave of new leasing activity, including outlet debuts for Lovisa and TM Lewin, as well as a London... View Article
  
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• Q&A with Josh Barling, Managing Director of Retail & Hospitality, ClearCourse

  11-12-2025 02:20 via theretailbulletin.com
  Josh has built his career in retail with a strong focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences. He began in ecommerce during the early days of the... View Article
  
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