Retail news

• UK charity shops sales suffer despite lockdown 'decluttering'

  15-08-2020 08:00
  
  Surge in donations during pandemic but likes of Oxfam and Barnardo’s report drop in incomeCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBritain’s charity shops are struggling with sales declines of as much as one-third, despite enjoying bumper stock levels – and offering huge savings – following a surge in donations after households “decluttered” during lockdown.Oxfam, which has 595 shops, said that money coming through its tills is down by
  
  Read more

• Creative industries write to UK government to stop plans for advertising on BBC audio content

  06-08-2026 17:47 via retailgazette.co.uk
  The creative industries have called upon the UK government to stop plans that would allow the BBC to run advertising on its audio content in the UK in an letter.
  The letter was addressed to Lisa Nandy, the secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport and was signed by 18 signatories including Global, Guardian Media Group, dmg media, Newsquest, News UK and Bauer.
  It aims to show the “disproportionate” impact the move would have on the country’s independent audio sect
  
  Read more

• Pandora appoints André Branch as North America president

  06-08-2026 17:45 via theretailbulletin.com
  Pandora has appointed André Branch as president of its North America cluster, one of its biggest growth markets. He will lead the jewellery brand’s next phase…
  
  Read more

• Cass Art to open new concept store at Coal Drops Yard

  06-08-2026 16:50 via theretailbulletin.com
  Cass Art is to unveil a new concept store at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross this September. Situated in one of London’s most creative areas,…
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Mike Ashley says Harvey Nichols is in a ‘death spiral’

  06-08-2026 15:38 via ft.com
  Sports Direct founder casts doubt over department store chain’s prospects even as he vies to acquire it
  
  Read more

• Diageo boss Dave Lewis stakes revival on canned cocktails and Guinness

  06-08-2026 15:15 via ft.com
  New chief unveils plans to restore growth along with suite of cost cuts
  
  Read more

• Opinion: What UK retailers need to know about the next wave of Chinese expansion

  06-08-2026 15:04 via retailgazette.co.uk
  By Mark Fergusson, Head of Client Engagement, Tritax Big Box
  In the Year of the Fire Horse, Chinese operators are entering a new phase of UK expansion. Earlier this summer, I joined Cushman & Wakefield’s Europe Unlocked conferences across China to meet retailers, alongside 3PLs and adjacent businesses planning European operations in the next 6 months to the end of the decade. One message emerged consistently: Chinese investment in the UK logistics market is evolving.
  The first wave of
  
  Read more

• Exclusive: H&M allegedly plans UK head office job cuts, hitting hundreds of employees

  06-08-2026 14:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  H&M has reportedly filed for redundancies for its UK head office, in a move that could impact around 250 employees.
  The proposed changes have allegedly been communicated through a collective consultation process that began in April, according to an internal document seen by Retail Gazette, provided by an inside source with knowledge of the process.
  The filed HR1 document, a form alerting the government of advanced notification of redundancies, showed that the job cuts will occur between 2nd
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Diageo boss Lewis launches aggressive cost-cutting to revive drinks group

  06-08-2026 12:15 via ft.com
  Chief executive sets out restructuring plan for maker of Guinness and Johnnie Walker
  
  Read more

• Morrisons rolls out AI-powered self-checkouts to 200 stores

  06-08-2026 11:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Morrisons has announced plans to introduce vision-based AI technology across up to 200 stores.
  The supermarket has signed a long-term partnership with retail technology firm Everseen following a successful trial of its Evercheck platform.
  The system uses real-time computer vision to identify items that may not have been scanned correctly and gives customers on-screen prompts to resolve the issue themselves.
  Morrisons said the technology would help keep queues moving, reduce the need for staff in
  
  Read more

• Melanie Sykes fronts Cubitts’ latest campaign

  06-08-2026 11:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  British eyewear brand Cubitts has launched a new campaign celebrating Manchester which stars television personality and “Boddingtons girl” Melanie Sykes.
  The campaign sees Sykes return to her hometown, posing in locations including the Northern Quarter, the Grade II-listed Toast Rack building and the streets of Ashton-under-Lyne. The campaign marks Sykes’ first major fashion shoot since revealing her alopecia, and embracing her bald look earlier this summer.
  Tom Broughton, fou
  
  Read more

• Time Out to open global flagship market at Piccadilly Circus

  06-08-2026 11:13 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Time Out is set to open its first London food and cultural market at Piccadilly Circus, creating around 130 jobs.
  The media and hospitality group has signed a long-term agreement with The Crown Estate to launch Time Out Market London at the 10 Piccadilly development, 55 Regent Street, in summer 2028.
  The seven-figure investment will span more than 26,400 sq ft across three floors, and bring together around 15 London restaurants, bars and food operators alongside live music, exhibitions, performa
  
  Read more

• Dr Martens names Alia Gogi as non-exec director

  06-08-2026 11:03 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Footwear retailer Dr Martens has named Alia Gogi as an independent non-executive director of the company, effective from 1 September 2026.
  She will also be a member of the audit and risk, remuneration and nomination committees.
  Gogi most recently was the president, Asia at Sephora, where she was responsible for overseeing operations across ten markets. She was also previously managing director for southeast Asia and senior vice president for Asia and Greater China at the beauty retailer. Related
  
  Read more

• Superdrug launches K-Beauty cosmetics in 60+ stores and online

  06-08-2026 10:22 via theretailbulletin.com
  Superdrug is expanding its K-beauty offering into cosmetics, making the range available in over 60 stores and online. Brands included in the category extension are Etude,…
  
  Read more

• eBay UK general manager Eve Williams on innovations in community-building

  06-08-2026 09:58 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Vice-president and general manager Eve Williams explains why AI should disappear into the experience, why the strongest live-commerce hosts are experts rather than influencers, and how community is becoming one of eBay’s most persuasive forms of brand building…
  For a marketplace with billions of listings, the biggest marketing challenge facing eBay is to make an almost limitless inventory feel personal, credible and human.
  Eve Williams, vice-president and general manager of eBay UK,
  
  Read more

• Dunelm launches AI shopping assistant with Google Cloud

  06-08-2026 09:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Dunelm has launched an AI-powered shopping assistant that allows customers to search for products, receive recommendations and visualise items in their homes through natural conversation.
  The company’s new ‘Ask Dunelm’ tool is now available within its iOS app and has been developed in partnership with Google Cloud.
  Customers can use the assistant to describe what they are looking for in their own words, ask questions about products and receive suggestions tailored to their styl
  
  Read more

• Dr. Martens appoints former Sephora exec Alia Gogi as non-executive director

  06-08-2026 09:54 via theretailbulletin.com
  Footwear brand Dr. Martens has appointed Alia Gogi as a non-executive director, effective 1 September. Gogi has significant international retail and commercial experience, having spent over…
  
  Read more

• Elf Beauty lifts outlook as cut-price cosmetics fuel sales surge

  06-08-2026 09:41 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Elf Beauty has raised its annual forecasts, after demand for affordable cosmetics and the expansion of Hailey Bieber’s Rhode brand drove a 36 per cent jump in quarterly sales.
  The company now expects fiscal 2027 net sales of between £1.44bn and £1.46bn, up from its previous forecast of £1.37bn to £1.39bn.
  Its adjusted earnings forecast was also lifted to between £2.60 and £2.64 per share, compared with its earlier guidance of £2.43 to £2.47.
  
  Read more

• eBay lifts outlook as luxury, collectibles and resale sales surge

  06-08-2026 09:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  eBay has forecast stronger-than-expected sales after its push into luxury fashion, collectibles and refurbished goods helped second-quarter revenue jump 15 per cent.
  The online marketplace expects third-quarter revenue of between £2.28bn and £2.32bn, ahead of analysts’ forecast of £2.21bn.
  Second-quarter revenue climbed 15 per cent to £2.33bn, while gross merchandise volume (the total value of goods sold through the platform) rose 15 per cent to £16.64bn.
  The
  
  Read more

• Dusk enters trade market with new B2B offering

  06-08-2026 09:28 via theretailbulletin.com
  Dusk, the online furniture and homeware retailer, is entering the professional interiors market with the launch of B2B division Dusk Trade, which will run alongside its…
  
  Read more

• Etsy axes 220 jobs in major marketplace reset

  06-08-2026 09:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Etsy is cutting 12 per cent of its workforce as part of a restructure following the sale of Depop.
  The overhaul will affect around 220 employees, reducing Etsy’s workforce to approximately 1,600 people. Most of the cuts will fall across its product and engineering teams.
  Etsy expects the restructuring to be largely completed by the end of its third quarter and will take charges of about $35m (£26m), primarily covering severance payments and employee benefits.
  Chief executive Kruti Pa
  
  Read more

• B&M to close two stores as part of huge estate overhaul

  06-08-2026 09:09 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  B&M is set to close two stores this month as part of a wider overhaul of its UK estate, including relocations, expansions and investment in its existing shops.
  The company will permanently shut its Hall Street store in Carmarthen on 15 August before opening a larger branch at Parc Pensarn Retail Park one week later.
  Meanwhile, its B&M Home Store at Hylton Riverside Retail Park in Sunderland will close temporarily on 16 August to allow the final phase of expansion works to be completed. I
  
  Read more

• Retailers handed ‘liberation day’ tariff boost as US gov refunds $100bn

  06-08-2026 09:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  US retailers could receive a substantial cash-flow boost after Donald Trump’s administration refund about $100bn (£74bn) of tariffs ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court.
  The repayments represent 60 per cent of the $165bn (£123bn) collected through Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs, according to figures presented by customs officials to the US Court of International Trade.
  The Supreme Court struck down part of the president’s tariff programme in February, f
  
  Read more

• Judge casts gloom over TG Jones turnaround despite approving rescue plan

  06-08-2026 08:51 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The High Court judge who approved TG Jones’ restructuring has warned that the former WHSmith high street business faces “very considerable” risks as it attempts to deliver its turnaround.
  Mr Justice Hildyard sanctioned TG Jones’ rescue plan on 1 July, preventing an immediate collapse into administration and clearing the way for the closure of around 150 stores.
  However, in his full judgment published yesterday, the judge expressed significant doubts about the long-term pr
  
  Read more

• Kim Kardashian’s Skims launches in India via Reliance Brands deal

  06-08-2026 08:29 via theretailbulletin.com
  Skims, the shapewear brand founded by Kim Kardashian, has signed an exclusive agreement with Reliance Brands to launch the brand in India. The roll out will…
  
  Read more

• Tesco names Andrew Yaxley as CEO of Ireland and Northern Ireland

  06-08-2026 08:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Tesco has appointed Andrew Yaxley as chief executive of Ireland and Northern Ireland. He has worked at Tesco for nearly 25 years in a range of…
  
  Read more

• Currys, Holland & Barrett and B&Q named among latest RG Retail Excellence Awards finalists

  06-08-2026 07:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retailers delivering standout supply chain programmes, sustainability strategies and people initiatives have been named in the latest RG Retail Excellence Awards 2026 shortlists…
  The finalists have been revealed for the HR Excellence Award, Supply Chain Initiative of the Year and Sustainable Retailer of the Year.
  The three categories recognise the businesses and teams working behind the scenes to build more resilient operations, support their people and reduce retail’s environmental
  
  Read more

• Lindt unveils new boutique format store at Centre:MK, Milton Keynes

  05-08-2026 20:02 via theretailbulletin.com
  Lindt, the premium Swiss chocolatier, has opened a new store at Centre:mk in its new boutique format. Spanning 1,670 square feet, the store on Silbury Arcade…
  
  Read more

• Columbia Sportswear calls off the search for the edge of the earth

  05-08-2026 15:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Columbia Sportswear’s CEO Tim Boyle has officially called off the search for the edge of the earth.
  This is the last instalment in its ‘Expedition Impossible’ campaign which called on the public to find the edge of the Earth in return for the keys to the firm.
  Columbia Sportswear has received hundreds of submissions containing theories, maps, diagrams and attempts from explorers globally to find the Earth’s edge.
  The final spot shows Boyle reflecting on the campaign, cele
  
  Read more

• SKIMS to launch in India with two flagship stores

  05-08-2026 13:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Kim Kardashian-founded fashion retailer SKIMS is set to debut in India with the launch of two new stores.
  The fashion brand, which last month opened its first standalone brick-and-mortar store in London, plans to open two stores in Delhi and Mumbai, with a phases rollout set to see the retailer expand into more cities and channels over time.
  The move forms a partnership with Indian luxury and premium fashion retailer Reliance Brands, which will operate SKIMS in India across physical stores and d
  
  Read more

Follow @retailuknws on Twitter!