Retail news

• Superdry in talks to outsource online operations

  28-05-2023 11:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Superdry is in talks with third-party providers to outsource its online operations
  // The fashion retailer is exploring several cost-cutting measures as it looks to return to growthSuperdry is in talks to outsource its ecommerce operations to US giant Shopify in a bid to cut mounting costs.
  The struggling fashion retailer is holding discussions with several third-party providers over its online business, The Sunday Times reported.
  The move comes as the retailer is exploring several cost-
  
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• Bensons for Beds appoints former Boots exec to head up owned brands

  19-06-2026 16:10 via theretailbulletin.com
  Bensons for Beds has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of former Boots executive Emma Forbes as director of owned brands. Forbes previously served as... View Article
  
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• Co-op expands concession partnership with Bonmarché

  19-06-2026 13:41 via theretailbulletin.com
  Co-op has expanded its partnership with Bonmarché with the launch of four new in-store concessions. The openings include a Bonmarché concession in Co-op’s Stornoway store this... View Article
  
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• Retail sales rise more than expected in May

  19-06-2026 13:28 via theretailbulletin.com
  UK retail sales increased by more than expected in May as the warm weather encouraged people to shop for summer items. Following a revised 1% fall... View Article
  
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• Asda losses widen to nearly £1bn

  19-06-2026 12:38 via ft.com
  TDR-backed UK supermarket chain had slashed prices to try to win back customers
  
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• John Lewis Partnership commits to recruiting 1,000 care-experienced young people

  19-06-2026 12:31 via theretailbulletin.com
  The John Lewis Partnership is to offer a further 1,000 roles to young people who have experienced care by 2030, more than doubling its previous target.... View Article
  
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• Lakeside shopping centre unveils Brompton Arcade transformation

  19-06-2026 11:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Lakeside shopping centre has unveiled Brompton Arcade, formerly Brompton Walk, and its strategic repositioning as “a vibrant hub for independent businesses, local entrepreneurs and experience-led operations”. 
  Located on level 2 of the shopping centre, Brompton Arcade’s vision is to “curate and support ambitious, independent and experience-led brands,” providing them with “greater visibility, operational support” and access to Lakeside’s annua
  
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• Tesco, B&Q, John Lewis and Waitrose among names to join dunnhumby retail media pilot

  19-06-2026 11:25 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Tesco, B&Q, John Lewis and Waitrose are taking part in a series of pilots for a new dunnhumby retail media alliance designed to make it easier for brands to run campaigns across multiple retailers.
  The dunnhumby network alliance has been launched to tackle fragmentation across retail media, one of the sector’s biggest barriers to scale.
  The new offer will give brands and agencies a single route to activate campaigns across multiple retailers, audience providers and media owners, withou
  
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• Co-op encourages consumers to ‘pop to the Co-op’ in new campaign

  19-06-2026 11:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Convenience retailer Co-op has unveiled a new creative platform to encourage consumers to ‘Pop to Co-op’.
  Devised by media agency VCCP, the marketing drive highlights the benefits of convenience shopping and centres on a phrase that is already in the public’s vernacular, ‘popping to Co-op’.
  It aims to highlight that the retailer is always there when customers need something last minute such as a needing food for a BBQ or feeding the kids and their friends.
  The campa
  
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• Pop Mart, Lego and Crew Clothing bolster Meadowhall’s retail offering

  19-06-2026 11:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Meadowhall has announced the signing of a regional debut for Pop Mart, alongside “standout openings” for Lego and Crew Clothing. 
  Chinese toy retailer Pop Mart has signed for a 2,618 sq ft unit on the shopping centre’s high street upper level, marking its debut in South Yorkshire. 
  Pop Mart will use the regional flagship to sell its collection of collectable toys, such as Labubu’s, Hello Kitty, and Disney.
  Lego has also relocated to an upsized store on Meadowhal
  
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• Snap mocked over £1,995 smart glasses as investors question consumer appeal

  19-06-2026 09:48 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Snap has faced investor backlash after unveiling its long-awaited £1,995 smart glasses, with the bulky design of the device widely mocked online.
  The Snapchat owner launched its new augmented reality Specs this week, positioning them as the next major shift in personal computing.
  Snap chief executive Evan Spiegel said he had spent his working life developing the technology behind the product, which he described as a “see-through computer”.
  However, the launch has been overshado
  
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• Retail job vacancies fall as employers rein in hiring

  19-06-2026 09:43 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retail and hospitality businesses cut back on hiring as UK job vacancies fell to their lowest level in five years, according to the latest official figures.
  The Office for National Statistics said vacancies dropped to 707,000 in the March to May period, the lowest level since February to April 2021.
  While the labour market remained “broadly stable”, the ONS said some areas were showing signs of weakening as employers became more cautious about taking on staff.
  Retail and hospitality
  
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• John Lewis pledges 1,000 more roles for young people from care

  19-06-2026 09:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The John Lewis Partnership has pledged to offer 1,000 more roles to young people who have been in care as it steps up efforts to support disadvantaged jobseekers.
  The owner of John Lewis and Waitrose said the commitment, which will be delivered by 2030, more than doubles its previous target under its Building Happier Futures programme.
  The move will take the total number of roles offered through the initiative to at least 250 a year.
  It comes amid growing concern over youth unemployment, with mo
  
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• Retailers brace for fresh cost pressure as Hormuz shipping route remains blocked

  19-06-2026 09:35 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retailers could face renewed pressure on freight, fuel and energy costs as normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is expected to remain disrupted despite a ceasefire between the US and Iran.
  The key maritime route, which sits between Iran and Oman, remains partially blocked by around 80 mines that will need to be cleared before standard shipping can resume, according to independent tanker owner trade body Intertanko.
  Several vessels began leaving the Gulf through the strait on Thursday aft
  
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• UK borrowing surge adds fresh pressure to consumer outlook

  19-06-2026 09:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  UK government borrowing rose sharply in May, raising fresh concerns over the public finances, as retailers continue to face fragile consumer confidence and cost pressure.
  Britain borrowed £23.3bn last month, £5.4bn more than in May last year and the highest figure for the month since 2020, when the country was under Covid lockdown restrictions.
  The figure was also £5.6bn above the £17.7bn forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility, increasing pressure on the governm
  
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• Consumer confidence holds steady but plunges amongst younger adults

  19-06-2026 09:23 via theretailbulletin.com
  GfK’s latest Consumer Confidence Index has shown that confidence has remained flat in June, although it has plunged amongst younger adults. While the headline index is... View Article
  
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• Tesco boss says weather will drive grocery sales more than World Cup wins

  19-06-2026 09:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Tesco boss Ken Murphy has said warm weather will have a bigger impact on grocery sales than home nation success in the World Cup, as the supermarket giant posted slower UK sales growth following a wet spring.
  The UK’s largest retailer said comparable sales rose 1.8 per cent to £13.4bn in the three months to the end of May, down from 4.2 per cent in the previous quarter and below the 2.3 per cent growth expected by City analysts.
  Group sales rose 1 per cent to £16.8bn, helped by
  
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• Aldi eyes 4,000 US stores as shoppers hunt for cheaper groceries

  19-06-2026 09:17 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi is ramping up its US expansion as the discounter looks to capitalise on shoppers’ frustration over rising food bills.
  The German grocer is opening a new US store every few days as part of a $9bn expansion plan, with its latest site launching this week on Manhattan’s 42nd Street.
  Aldi, which has spent five decades building its presence in the US, is now targeting 3,200 stores by 2028 and believes there could be room for more than 4,000 locations across the country.
  Aldi USA chief
  
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• Lincolnshire Co-op plans job cuts as it ramps up tech investment

  19-06-2026 09:15 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Lincolnshire Co-op is consulting with staff over proposed job cuts as it moves to reshape the business for long-term growth.
  The independent co-operative, which employs more than 2,770 people across Lincolnshire and surrounding areas, operates more than 200 trading sites spanning food stores, pharmacies, travel branches and funeral homes.
  The society said it was “reviewing our ways of working” as it looks to manage rising costs and invest in areas including technology, healthcare and
  
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• Retail sales beat expectations as warm weather and discounts tempt shoppers back

  19-06-2026 09:10 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  British retail sales rose more strongly than expected in May as warm weather, half-term trading and retailer promotions helped bring shoppers back after a weaker April.
  Sales volumes climbed 1.2 per cent in May, according to the Office for National Statistics, reversing a one per cent fall the previous month and comfortably ahead of the 0.5 per cent increase forecast by economists in a Reuters poll.
  Volumes were 3.2 per cent higher than a year earlier, also beating expectations of a 1.9 per cent
  
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• Majestic owned Vagabond Wines opens flagship Soho venue

  19-06-2026 08:57 via theretailbulletin.com
  Majestic owned Vagabond Wines has opened a new site in London’s Soho. Situated in Ganton Street, the 6,000 square location is the brand’s largest bar to-date... View Article
  
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• Met Police and retailers urge government to crack down on shoplifting

  19-06-2026 08:15 via theretailbulletin.com
  The Metropolitan Police and retail groups have urged the government to introduce criminal justice reforms to crackdown on prolific shoplifters. In a letter from the the... View Article
  
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• Marks Electrical fined and ordered to refund customers over opt-ins to extra services

  19-06-2026 08:08 via theretailbulletin.com
  The Competition and Markets Authority has slapped a fine on Marks Electrical after it found that it had automatically opted customers into additional paid services. The... View Article
  
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• Stockpickers: Castings, Tatton Asset Management, Boohoo Group

  19-06-2026 06:00 via ft.com
  Our experts discuss which companies to buy, sell or hold this week
  
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• Aldi takes the fight to Walmart and Costco

  18-06-2026 18:06 via ft.com
  After 50 years of slow US expansion the German discount grocer is upping the pace. Can it win over hard-pressed consumers?
  
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• Recognising retail excellence: People in Retail Awards 2026 finalists revealed

  18-06-2026 16:44 via theretailbulletin.com
  The Retail Bulletin is delighted to announce the finalists for the People in Retail Awards (PiRA) 2026. Now in its fourth year – PiRA continues to... View Article
  
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• Morrisons enters financial services market with insurance offering

  18-06-2026 14:35 via theretailbulletin.com
  Morrisons has entered the financial services market with the launch of Morrisons Insurance. The move will see the supermarket offer branded pet and travel insurance policies... View Article
  
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• Aldi is making a $9bn bet that it can finally crack America

  18-06-2026 12:00 via ft.com
  After 50 years of slow US expansion the German discount grocer is upping the pace. Can it win over hard-pressed consumers?
  
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• Met calls for fast-track courts after 104 shoplifters linked to 5300 offences

  18-06-2026 10:20 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Metropolitan Police has called for fast-track courts after 104 repeat shoplifters were linked to more than 5300 offences in two years.
  The group carried out at least 31 offences each before they were jailed, accounting for about a third of London shoplifting cases where a suspect was identified.
  The Met said the offenders were behind 4389 shoplifting offences and 1000 other crimes over the past two financial years, with almost all continuing to offend after being charged.
  The force, the Bri
  
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• UK AI adoption reaches ‘tipping point’ as retailers move beyond trials

  18-06-2026 10:15 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  AI adoption in the UK reached a “tipping point” as businesses shifted from trials to large-scale deployment, Google Cloud said.
  Google Cloud vice president for the UK, Ireland and Sub-Saharan Africa Maureen Costello said companies and public bodies that were testing AI tools last year were now using the technology to run more complex processes and improve productivity.
  “Industry is on the cusp of a tipping point where AI adoption is accelerating quickly,” Costello told R
  
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