Retail news

• Zofa to open first London store

  23-12-2025 06:44 via theretailbulletin.com
  Online sofa brand Zofa has selected Fulham Road for the opening of its first physical store in London. The retailer has signed for a new two-floor... View Article
  
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• Pop Mart opening new manufacturing sites

  06-01-2026 17:15 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Chinese toy retailer Pop Mart is set to bolster its global expansion with new manufacturing facilities in Cambodia, Mexico and Indonesia to meet soaring global demand, Reuters reported.
  The firm, which is famous for its viral Labubu dolls, currently does not run its own factories and works with local manufacturing partners.
  Pop Mart said that the partner-led network would boost capacity and improve global access to new items.Related Story O2 unveils new store openings10/12/2025 x 9:49 AMThe
  
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• ASH urges retailers to prepare for Smokefree Generation Law

  06-01-2026 17:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  The CEO of Action on smoking and health (ASH) Hazel Cheeseman has written an open letter to retailers across the UK ahead of the smokefree generation age-of-sale law taking effect on 1 January 2027.
  The letter sets out what the change will mean for businesses, communities and public health, and urges the sector to treat the policy as “a manageable transition with long-term benefits for business and public health”.
  Under the measure, it will be illegal to sell tobacco to those born on
  
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• Crew Clothing profit jumps as sales climb

  06-01-2026 13:39 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Crew Clothing saw profits and sales soar in its latest annual results.
  The fashion brand, which relocated its head office last spring, saw pre-tax profit shoot up 65.1% year on year to £25.6m for the 52 weeks to 29 December 2024. This compared to £15.5m during the previous period, which the brand noted was a 53-week one.
  Adjusted EBITDA jumped 31.7% to £24m, driven by a strong sales performance, while operating profit was up 56.7% to £24.3m.
  Additionally, the retailer&rsq
  
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• Asos bolsters brand portfolio with Noughts & Kisses acquisition

  06-01-2026 12:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Asos is adding fashion retailer Noughts & Kisses to its brand portfolio later in 2026.
  Noughts & Kisses is due to launch at the online retailer at the end of the first quarter of the year, Drapers reported, as it debuts a 30-piece collection for the spring season.
  Speaking to the publication, Noughts & Kisses said its first Asos collection had been curated to “represent the full Noughts & Kisses aesthetic”, and features a range of its signature styles across tail
  
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• Next expects profits to top £1.1bn after bumper festive sales

  06-01-2026 11:57
  Retailer warns that growth this year will be slower amid continuing pressures on UK employmentBusiness live – latest updatesThe high street retailer Next expects its annual profits to top £1.1bn after it rang up much stronger sales than expected over Christmas – but it has warned that 2026 will be tougher amid “continuing pressures on UK employment”.The clothing and homewares retailer said it was improving annual profit forecasts by £15m, its fourth upgrade in
  
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• Asda saw sales fall over Christmas period

  06-01-2026 10:43 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Asda’s sales decreased by 4.2%, during the 12 weeks to 28 December 2025.
  According to the year-over-year data from Worldpanel by Numerator, Co-op also saw a sales fall of 1.3% during the period.
  Ocado continues to be the fastest-growing grocer, with sales increasing by 15% over the 12 weeks to 28 December 2025 year-over-year, and now holds 2.1% of the market.Related Story Tesco brings back retro blue and white stripes05/01/2026 x 2:16 PMLidl experienced a 10% sales increase and accounts fo
  
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• Aldi and Lidl grab record Christmas sales share as Asda and Co-op slide

  06-01-2026 10:43
  Shoppers hit by rising bills switch to discount chains, supermarket own-label products and buying fewer items Business live – latest updatesThe discounters Aldi and Lidl grabbed their biggest share of Britain’s Christmas grocery market to date, while Asda and the Co-op lost out as shoppers sought out bargains to help offset rising household bills.The German-owned supermarket chains grabbed a 16.8% slice of the market in the four weeks to 28 December, up from 16.3% a year earlier. Con
  
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• BRC says inflation likely to remain ‘sticky’ in 2026

  06-01-2026 10:39 via theretailbulletin.com
  The British Retail Consortium has warned that inflation is likely to be “sticky” this year as retailers are impacted by public policy costs and regulation. In... View Article
  
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• Higgidy Pie Shop to pop up on London’s Percy Street

  06-01-2026 10:37 via theretailbulletin.com
  Higgidy is bringing its premium pies to the capital this month through a pop-up shop on Percy Street in the West End. Opening for one day... View Article
  
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• Next profit could top £1.1bn after strong Christmas

  06-01-2026 10:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Next saw stronger than anticipated revenues during the Christmas period.
  Full price sales grew 10.6% over the nine weeks to 27 December compared to 2024, putting them ahead of its guidance for the quarter of 7%.
  Full price UK revenues increased by 5.9% during the festive period, as international sales climbed 38.3%.
  Next said the revenues were boosted by higher stock levels than the year before when deliveries were held up by disruption in Bangladesh.
  The fashion retailer’s annual profit i
  
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• Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop on the ‘brink of collapse’, says report

  06-01-2026 10:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  High street stores Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop (sometimes known at TOFS) could be set to close, risking more than 2,000 jobs, according to a report by Sky News.
  The broadcaster said the two chains “are understood to be filing notices of intention to appoint administrators just days after the conclusion of the crucial Christmas trading period”.
  The two retailers are owned by investment firm Modella Capital. They have around 300 stores and about 2,500 staff.Related Sto
  
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• Inflation to ‘remain sticky’, warns BRC

  06-01-2026 09:55 via retailgazette.co.uk
  UK shop price inflation rose slightly in early December as food prices increased at a faster pace.
  According to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which covered the period 1–7 December 2025, overall shop price inflation reached 0.7% year on year in December, up from 0.6% in November and in line with the three-month average.
  The increase was driven by higher food inflation, which climbed to 3.3% year on year, compared with 3% the previous month.Related Story Retail
  
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• Next raises guidance after strong Christmas trading

  06-01-2026 08:51 via theretailbulletin.com
  Next has seen its full price sales climb by 10.6% in the lead-up to Christmas. This compares to the retailer’s guidance of 7% growth for the... View Article
  
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• Tesco launches Everyday Low Prices scheme on branded products

  06-01-2026 08:42 via theretailbulletin.com
  Tesco has launched a new Everyday Low Prices scheme where it has committed to keeping the prices of more than 3,000 branded products consistently low. This... View Article
  
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• Wingstop UKI appoints chief growth officer

  06-01-2026 07:16 via theretailbulletin.com
  Wingstop UKI has appointed Emma Colquhoun to the newly created role of chief growth officer as it looks ahead to its next level of expansion across... View Article
  
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• Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop to enter administration

  06-01-2026 07:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  Modella Capital has announced that Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop are being put into administration in a move that will put 2.500 jobs at risk.... View Article
  
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• Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop near collapse, putting 2,550 jobs at risk

  05-01-2026 19:18
  Owner Modella starts insolvency proceedings for both chains, saying trading is ‘extremely challenging’The retailers Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop are on the brink of administration, putting 2,550 jobs at risk.Both chains are owned by Modella Capital, a private equity firm, which recently bought the high street arm of WH Smith – renamed TG Jones. Modella said in a statement that the climate on UK high streets was “extremely challenging” and data sugges
  
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• Charles Tyrwhitt expands tie-up with British Heart Foundation

  05-01-2026 16:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Charles Tyrwhitt is expanding its partnership with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), taking its clothing donation initiative online from today (5 January).
  The company’s “Tyrwhitt takeback” scheme, which was previously only available in-store and limited to shirts and suits, is now accessible to customers across the UK online through a donations portal. 
  For the first time, donations can include any type of men’s clothing, footwear, or accessories from any brand.Re
  
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• Home Bargains sees profits jump amid new store launches

  05-01-2026 15:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Discount retailer Home Bargains saw profit and sales rise in its latest annual results.
  The company recorded a sales increase of 7.9% from £4.2m to £4.5m for the year ended 30 June 2025.
  The business attributed the revenue rise to the opening of additional retail outlets during the year, shop re-sites, as well as an increased contribution from existing stores.
  Operating profit jumped from £434m to £492m over the period. Related Story Retail industry predictions for 2026 &
  
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• Tesco brings back retro blue and white stripes

  05-01-2026 15:16 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Tesco is reintroducing its blue and white stripes symbolising value, as it launches a commitment to keep prices low on thousands of branded items.
  The retailer’s new everyday low prices’ red logo will be accompanied by the stripes, which have been brought up to date with a modern twist.
  Tesco said the branding would be “front and centre” of a marketing campaign highlighting its low prices available on leading branded products.
  The supermarket unveiled plans to cap the pri
  
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• Next mulls cut-price bid for LK Bennett

  05-01-2026 12:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Next is considering snapping up LK Bennett, after the luxury fashion retailer filed an application with the High Court in December to appoint administrators. 
  The retail giant is mulling a cut-price offer to purchase LK Bennett’s brand and other intellectual property assets, Sky News reported.
  However, retail industry sources said it was unlikely Next would pursue any offer that involved the designer clothing brand’s small estate of retail outlets.Related Story Asos shakes-up re
  
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• Aldi reports record Christmas sales after shoppers moved to cut festive grocery bills

  05-01-2026 11:16
  UK’s fourth-largest supermarket’s sales rose 3% with 5.5m bottles of fizz and 500,000 turkeys soldBusiness live – latest updatesAldi has reported record Christmas sales as cost-conscious shoppers aimed to cut their festive grocery spending.The UK arm of the German discounter said sales rose by 3% year-on-year in the four weeks to 24 December to £1.65bn, with a 5% surge of £500m in the final week. Continue reading...
  
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• Aldi hails ‘best-ever’ Christmas as sales climb

  05-01-2026 10:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Aldi has reported its “best-ever Christmas,” with increased sales ahead of the big day.
  The discount giant saw revenues rise 3% from the year prior to £1.65bn in the four weeks to Christmas Eve.
  Total sales increased by over 5% in the week leading up to Christmas, as customers spent around £500m with the German retailer. 
  Aldi staff handled over 57m transactions over the four-week period to Christmas Eve, marking its highest ever number. 
  Demand for the sup
  
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• OKA boosted by strong Christmas sales growth

  05-01-2026 10:09 via theretailbulletin.com
  OKA has seen its sales rise by 21% year-on-year in the ten weeks to 28 December. The premium home interiors brand said momentum during its Black... View Article
  
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• Tesco trades on New York share market

  05-01-2026 10:07 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Tesco has become the latest major European company to expand its reach to US investors, qualifying to trade on the OTCQX Best Market in New York.
  The move gives American investors transparent access to shares in the UK’s largest grocery retailer without the complexity of a full US stock exchange listing.
  Announced by OTC (Over-the-Counter) Markets Group today (5 January), Tesco’s admission to OTCQX places it alongside a growing list of large-cap European companies that have opted for
  
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• Join us at Retail Ecom North on Feb 4

  05-01-2026 10:06 via theretailbulletin.com
  Are you an ecommerce professional navigating the conflicting priorities and challenges of online retail? Then join us in Manchester for our Retail Ecom North conference –... View Article
  
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• Join us at Retail Ecom North

  05-01-2026 10:06 via theretailbulletin.com
  Are you an ecommerce professional navigating the conflicting priorities and challenges of online retail? Then join us in Manchester for our Retail Ecom North conference –... View Article
  
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• Aldi hails ‘record’ £1.65 billion Christmas trading

  05-01-2026 09:02 via theretailbulletin.com
  Aldi has recorded its ‘best-ever’ Christmas with sales rising 3% year-on-year to £1.65 billion in the four weeks to Christmas Eve. Staff handled over 57 million... View Article
  
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• Lidl reports ‘record-breaking’ Christmas

  05-01-2026 07:35 via theretailbulletin.com
  Lidl has reported a “record-breaking” Christmas with nearly 51 million customers visiting its stores. This was four million more than the same time last year as... View Article
  
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