Categories

Retail & Consumer

Women risk being left without a pension for 14 years

Women could risk emptying their pension pots 14 years too soon – and a decade earlier in their lifetime than men – according to modelling by a financial services provider. The research, released ahead of International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8, found that, based on current pension withdrawal rates, women could empty their private pension savings by the age of 73. Legal & General (L&G), which published the research, said that, with ...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-30 12:07

Poundland considering 'all options' as it struggles and shuts 13 stores

Poundland’s owner is mooting a possible sale of the UK discount retail chain as it struggles amid tough sales and before incoming budget measures that will send wage costs soaring. Poland-based Pepco said it was considering “all strategic options” to spin out the struggling 825-strong chain from the wider group as focus on its more profitable Pepco brand. It said Pepco makes the “vast majority” of group earnings and the group wants to “further bu...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-29 11:51

On the Beach sees continued travel demand as summer bookings soar

On the Beach is forecasting another prosperous summer of travel in 2025, following a spike in early bookings. The London-listed travel company reported a 10% year-on-year increase in total transaction value (TTV), a metric for ticket sales, for the forthcoming summer season, as reported by City AM. Group TTV for holidays planned from March to June has also seen a 17% rise. According to current booking trends, this summer is set to outperform last...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-28 18:26

Historic department store Jolly's in Bath to reopen

A 200-year-old department store in Bath which announced its closure in December is reopening. Jolly's on Milsom Street has been a fixture in the city since 1823 and was run until recently by House of Fraser. The shop - one of the oldest of its kind in Europe - has now been acquired by Morleys Stores. The independent retailer was established in 1927 and owns and operates eight department stores across the UK. The company has pledged to restore Jol...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-27 11:01

Deliveroo called 'underappreciated' after quitting Hong Kong as rivals 'muscle it out'

London brokerage firm Panmure Liberum has hailed Deliveroo as "underappreciated" following its strategic withdrawal from the Hong Kong market. The firm downplayed concerns that the takeaway behemoth might be ousted from other markets by wealthier rivals, labelling such worries as mere "noise". This morning, Deliveroo disclosed its departure from Hong Kong, offloading some assets to Foodpanda and winding down others, as reported by City AM. The Lo...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-26 11:15

Julia Hoggett calls for UK to revise retail investment rules favouring crypto over bonds

Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), has called for a shift in the UK's "perverse" approach to retail investment. Speaking on the Following the Rules podcast, she highlighted that it is currently easier for retail investors to put their money into crypto than heavily regulated assets such as corporate debt or government bonds, as reported by City AM. "We have a regulatory structure that has historically made it easier to ...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-25 11:13

Harvey Nichols to close Beauty Bazaar in Liverpool ONE

Liverpool ONE is set to lose one of its most prominent retailers as Harvey Nichols' Beauty Bazaar is scheduled to close its doors. The store, situated on Manesty's Lane in the city centre, has been in operation since 2012. The Liverpool Echo. reports that staff were informed of the impending closure on Tuesday. A Harvey Nichols spokesperson revealed that the company is focusing on "full category stores" as part of its growth strategy. They stated...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-23 11:29

Kitchenware brand Procook to open Bristol Cabot Circus store

Kitchenware brand Procook is opening a new store at Bristol's Cabot Circus shopping centre. The branch will open its doors on Friday, March 7, and will sell cookware, tableware, electricals and kitchen gadgets. It will be the Gloucestershire-headquartered retailer's 66th UK outlet and will be based at Unit SU58 - a space previously occupied by Currys - on the ground floor of the shopping hub. The branch will employ eight people. To mark the openi...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-23 11:21

Brits spent nearly £1bn on Valentine's Day as couples opt for home celebrations

Brits lavished almost £1bn on flowers, gifts, and at-home meals this Valentine's Day as consumers opted for a special celebration within their own four walls rather than dining out. The latest NIQ Till Tracker revealed that a total of £962m was spent on food and gifting, with notable increases in expenditure on flowers, toiletries, and perfumes, as reported by City AM. "Retailers capitalised on the opportunities around Valentine's Day... With the...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-22 11:37

John Lewis scraps staff bonus for third year in a row despite tripling profit

Despite nearly tripling its profit, the John Lewis Partnership has decided to forgo its staff bonus for the third consecutive year. The company, which owns both John Lewis and Waitrose, informed markets that its pre-tax profit surged from £42m to £126m over the 52 weeks to 25 January, as reported by City AM. Total sales increased by three per cent year on year, rising from £12.4bn to £12.8bn, while the firm's operating profit margin improved by 0...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-21 11:37

Turkish restaurant Longa expands with second venue in Cardiff

A Turkish restaurant business run by three women has expanded with the opening of a new venue in Cardiff city centre. The investment has created 16 new jobs. Longa, which was founded in 2019 by sisters Gizem Yorgun and Simge Yalcin, now operates with three women at the helm after actress Pinar Ogun joined the business in 2023. Longa, whose first restaurant in the Whitchurch area of the capital opened in 2019, celebrates the rich, diverse flavours...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-20 11:07

Applied Nutrition seals USA and Holland & Barrett deals as its Coleen Rooney range expands across UK

Health and wellness brand Applied Nutrition has announced three new American deals – and an expanded partnership with Holland & Barrett that will see its new Colleen Rooney range go on sale in hundreds of UK stores. Knowsley-based Applied Nutrition has agreed a joint business plan with Holland & Barrett that will see the health and wellbeing retail chain increase the distribution of currently listed products and take a range of new ones. ...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-19 18:08

Shein: Fast fashion giant found two cases of child labour in 2024

Fast-fashion behemoth Shein has uncovered two instances of child labour within its supply chain last year, the company informed Members of Parliament. The disclosure came from Shein's general counsel for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Yinan Zhu, in a letter to MPs that was reported by The Guardian, as reported by City AM. Zhu detailed one case involving an 11 year old child. "Nonetheless, and irrespective of these details, we took the issue ...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-18 18:08

Fenwick says it has 'no plans for store closures' as it calls in restructuring experts

Department store retailer Fenwick has confirmed that it has no intentions of closing stores, despite restructuring experts assisting the business. The Newcastle-based firm has experienced losses in recent years and is currently changing the hosting of its website as part of cost-cutting measures. Consultancy firm AlixPartners is working with the chain, which now has eight stores across the country. Fenwick has been operating at a loss since 2019 ...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-17 18:48

Historic Preston Guild festival looks set to continue despite council abolition

Efforts are underway to ensure the historic Preston Guild festival continues despite the dissolution of the council that organises it. The once-every-20-year city celebration, which has a history spanning over 800 years, is next scheduled for 2032 – four years after Preston City Council is expected to be disbanded. The council, along with Lancashire's 14 other councils, is due to be erased as part of a major government-led overhaul. Preston will ...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-16 11:49

Manchester Airport to get third Premier Inn hotel as bosses eye new site

Manchester Airport is set to welcome a new Premier Inn hotel, the chain's third establishment in the area. Manchester council has given the green light to Airport City Partnership Ltd, a subsidiary of Manchester Airport Group, to construct a 276-room hotel just a stone's throw away from the terminal. The upcoming Premier Inn will be neighbours with the recently opened Tribe hotel and another Dakota hotel currently under construction. The airport ...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-09 18:42

DFS upgrades profit expectations as credit deals and new products spur demand

Cost savings, interest free credit options and changes to product ranges have helped furniture retailer DFS to upgrade full year profit expectations. New interim results for the Doncaster-based chain, which has about 115 stores across the UK and Ireland, show reported pre-tax profits leapt from £15.8m in the 26 weeks to the end of December 2024, compared with just £900,000 in the same period of 2023. Underlying pre-tax profit was £17m, up from £8...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-06 11:03

Gong Cha: Bubble tea brand to open 225 new UK stores in nationwide expansion

Bubble tea aficionado Gong Cha has unveiled ambitious expansion plans to launch over 225 stores in the UK, a move set to generate nearly 2,000 jobs, following a franchise agreement with Costa Coffee heavyweight Jinziex. Originating from Taiwan in 2006 and now headquartered in London, Gong Cha's partnership with Jinziex is a key part of its global strategy to hit 10,000 outlets by 2032, as reported by City AM. Jinziex, a nascent venture, is steere...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-06 11:19

Hellofresh issues stark sales warning after opening UK site shut and 900 jobs at risk

Hellofresh, the recipe box delivery firm based in Germany, has issued a warning that its sales are likely to drop this year. However, it anticipates an increase in profit as it prolongs its cost-cutting initiative, as reported by City AM. The company announced in the latter half of 2024 that its cost-saving programme would be extended until 2026. Hellofresh predicts a decrease in revenue, on a constant currency basis, of between three and eight p...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-03 11:57

Welsh footfall growth the strongest in the UK despite cooling on January

Retail footfall in Wales increased in February but at a slower rate than January, shows latest research from the Welsh Retail Consortium. Footfall, defined as shoppers entering a store, in February was up 2.% year-on-year (YoY) compared to a 8.5% rise in January. The rise in February was the highest of any nation or region of the UK, followed by the north west of England at 1.9% and London and the west Midlands at 1.8%. For England it rose by jus...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-01 11:41

M&S defies National Insurance hike to increase staff pay by 5%

Marks and Spencer has unveiled a £95m wage boost for its retail personnel, notwithstanding the "cost pressures" emanating from government actions. Beginning 1 April, pay rates for UK Customer Assistants will climb from £12 to £12.60 an hour, marking a 5% year-on-year increase and a 26% rise since 2022 — surpassing the government's new national living wage of £12.21 per hour, as reported by City AM. M&S Chief Executive Stuart Machin commented,...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-09-01 18:04

Shein confirms plans for huge stock market float - and could pick London

Shein, the fast fashion behemoth, has confirmed its intentions to pursue an initial public offering (IPO), with London being a potential location for its listing. The company's chief executive, Donald Tang, spoke to The Times about the desire to go public as a means to bolster "accountability and transparency." While Shein had not previously set a firm date for its IPO, it is understood that the company engaged with the Financial Conduct Authorit...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-31 11:45

Gousto to take on Hellofresh in major expansion as it creates dozens of new jobs

Gousto, the recipe kit provider, has unveiled ambitions to extend its market reach by launching operations in the Republic of Ireland, a move that is set to introduce new employment opportunities as the company intensifies its rivalry with Hellofresh. This expansion will lead to more than 30 new roles in 2025, encompassing areas such as management, marketing, food, supply chain, and fulfilment, as reported by City AM. Entering a space already inh...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-29 11:47

Domino's UK announces new chair and reports mixed financial results for 2024

Domino's Pizza Group, the UK arm of Domino's Pizza Inc, has announced the appointment of a new Chair who will assume the role in April. The company also reported a slight decrease in revenue but saw higher sales and an increased dividend, as reported by City AM. In the 52 weeks leading up to December 29, sales rose by two percent to £1,571.5 million, up from £1,540.5 million the previous year. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amor...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-25 18:44

Jollyes continues to sink into the red despite sales surge as it takes on Pets at Home

Jollyes has reported a deepening pre-tax loss of £13.3 million for the year ending 26 May 2024, following a £5.3 million loss in the previous 12 months. However, the company's sales continue to surge, with turnover increasing from £115.2 million to £144 million during the same period, as reported by City AM. This marks a significant rise from its sales figures of £86.9 million in May 2022, £76.9 million in 2021, and £67.9 million in 2020. Despite...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-24 18:50

Pukka Pies warns price rises are 'inevitable' as it battles 'significant' inflation

Pukka Pies, a staple in chip shops across the UK, has warned that price increases are "inevitable" as it grapples with "significant levels of power and labour inflation." The Leicester-based firm revealed that it had postponed price hikes during its most recent financial year to "assess the mid to long-term implications from the underlying inflation", but has since determined that rises are necessary, as reported by City AM. These remarks were in...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-22 11:55

Shoe retailer Office doubles profit to over £100m as it creates hundreds of jobs

The group that operates shoe retailer Office has reported a significant hike in profits, surpassing £100m as it continued to expand with new store openings and created numerous jobs. In the year leading to 30 June, 2024, the business— which also owns Offspring— declared a substantial pre-tax profit of £102.4m, as reported by City AM. This announcement marks considerable growth from the previous financial year's pre-tax profit of £47.7m. Office ha...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-20 18:14

Mike Ashley-backed Hornby to go private as it ditches stock market listing

Hornby, the global models and collectibles group advised by Mike Ashley, has revealed plans to delist from the London stock market and go private. The move aims to circumvent regulatory obstacles and reduce costs, as reported by City AM. In a statement to the market on Thursday, the company announced its intention to cancel its shares on the AIM stock exchange, citing the high cost of maintaining a public listing, limited liquidity, and regulator...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-19 11:11

Historic Coventry shop to close after 100 years as owner says 'retail is also not as nice as it used to be'

A historic Coventry shop is set to close its doors permanently after more than a century in business. Tobacconist and lighter repair specialist Salts was founded by Harry Salt in Parkside, Coventry, in 1916 before relocating to New Union Street in 1961.It was run by the Salt family until it was taken over by Mark Kendall in 2019. Mark, a Coventry local, said he was "really sad" about the impending closure on March 29. He revealed that the decisio...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-19 18:42

Liverpool confirm 'multi-year' Adidas kit deal as Reds target big revenue hike

Liverpool have announced that Adidas will become their new kit partner from the beginning of the next season, following the conclusion of their current agreement with Nike at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. Reports from October indicated that the German sportswear brand had secured the tender to collaborate with the Reds, outbidding rivals including the incumbent kit supplier Nike and competitor Puma. The club has now revealed a 'multi-year deal...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-17 18:28

Supermarkets see varied fortunes amid rising sales with Asda continuing to struggle

UK supermarket sales outpaced inflation in February as consumers sought budget-friendly indulgences. According to Kantar, take-home sales from grocers increased by 3.6 per cent in the four weeks leading up to 23 February, while prices saw a 3.3 per cent rise, as reported by City AM. However, this overall figure conceals a disparity among the UK's leading supermarkets. Asda witnessed a decline in sales, whereas Tesco and Sainsbury's managed to exp...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-16 11:29

Yeo Valley snaps up gourmet yoghurt maker The Collective

Somerset dairy company Yeo Valley has acquired fellow yoghurt producer The Collective for an undisclosed sum. The Blagdon-based business has struck a deal to take over Epicurean Dairy (UK) Ltd in the UK. The Collective was first established in New Zealand by chefs Angus Allan and Ofer Shenhav, and within 10 months was the country's best-selling selling gourmet yoghurt. The business launched in Britain in 2011 after the pair teamed up with the lat...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-14 18:58

Goldie Lookin' Chain rapper launches new record shop venture

Rapper with the band Goldie Lookin’ Chain Graham Taylor has team up with novelist and presenter Gary Raymond to launch a new record shop business in Monmouth. With a mutual love for vinyl records the pair have opened Grinning Soul Records located at White Swan Court in the town. The new business has been supported with a micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales to part-fund the kit out of their shop and purchase stock. Having been close frie...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-12 18:06

Pets at Home share price soars as watchdog rumours spark interest from private equity

Shares in Pets at Home surged by over 14% this morning amid growing signs that the UK's competition watchdog is leaning towards a favourable outcome for the industry. Additionally, there's speculation that private equity firm BC Partners is gearing up for a bid, as reported by City AM. According to FT Financial News, a series of 'bidcos' with 'pug' in their names were registered on 24 February, fuelling rumours they might be set up to make an off...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-10 18:00

UK shop prices drop as food inflation soars, British Retail Consortium reports

UK shop prices experienced a dip in February, as heavy discounting across the retail sector partially absorbed the sting of elevated grocery costs. The Shop Price Index from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) indicated that overall shop prices decreased by 0.7 per cent year-on-year last month, matching January's decrease, buoyed by a significant 2.1 per cent reduction in non-food prices, as reported by City AM. Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive o...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-09 18:16

Aldi to cut up to 350 jobs at UK headquarters as cost pressures increase

Aldi, the renowned discount grocer, is poised to eliminate up to 350 positions at its UK head office in Atherstone as it grapples with mounting costs. Reports indicate that various roles within the buying department, spanning non-food, finance and certain back-office operations will be impacted, as reported by City AM. This move sees Aldi join the ranks of Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's, all of whom have announced job cuts following the budget ...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-07 18:34

Airbnb's top boss in UK and Northern Europe quits after four years in role

Amanda Cupples is poised to leave her post as Airbnb's lead executive for the UK and Northern Europe after a four-year tenure. Appointed as general manager for the region in March 2021, she oversaw operations within the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, and the Nordics, as reported by City AM. An Australian national, Cupples joined Airbnb following a spell at digital health firm Babylon Health, where she initially took on the role of chief commercial off...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-07 11:03

Deliveroo swings to first full year profit as orders jump in UK and Ireland

A surge in takeaway and grocery orders across the UK and Ireland helped Deliveroo turn a profit last year. The food delivery firm informed markets this morning that its gross merchandise value (GTV) rose by five per cent to £7.4bn for the year ending December 31, up from £7bn the previous year, as reported by City AM. The company reported an annual profit of £2.9m, a significant improvement from a loss of £31.8m the year before. Revenue increased...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-06 18:50

Bristol's high street businesses join calls for government to rethink business rates proposals

Bristol retailers are among thousands of high street businesses urging the government to reconsider plans to raise business rates for the largest properties. High Streets UK, a partnership of more than 5,000 businesses across the country, said the move would place a "disproportionate burden" on flagship stores. Under plans, properties with a rateable value of more than £500,000 could be subject to a business rates multiplier up to 10p higher than...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-05 18:02

Ocado CEO's pay jumps to £2.6m despite heavy losses and share price slump

Ocado's chief executive, Tim Steiner, has received a significant pay increase, despite the company's ongoing substantial losses. His total compensation for the latest financial year exceeded £2.6m, a notable rise from the £1.9m he received in the previous 12 months, as reported by City AM. This increase is primarily attributed to a surge in his assignment incentive pay, which jumped from £1.1m to £1.7m. The pay hike comes amidst Ocado's report of...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-04 11:25

Fenwick launches Colmans Fish and Chips restaurant in latest foodie collaboration

Newcastle retail giant Fenwick has announced its latest culinary collaboration, joining forces with another North East institution to bring award-winning fish and chips to its store. The department store chain has previously enjoyed success through partnerships with Greggs and Hjem, and is currently serving tea and toasties in its Barbour cafe, alongside its speciality delicatessen and wine bar Blacks Corner. Later this month, however, the firm's...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-03 18:30

Debenhams is back as Boohoo makes major announcement

Boohoo has announced it is rebranding as Debenhams Group as the online fashion firm hailed the turnaround of the department store brand it bought out of administration three years ago. Boohoo said it has successfully completed a turnaround of Debenhams over the past few years and that it is now a “majority contributor to group profitability”. It said it will roll out the operating model at Debenhams across the wider firm, using the overhaul at th...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-08-02 11:23

Co-op admits to 107 breaches of order to stop blocking rivals from opening nearby

The Co-op has become the latest UK supermarket to be targeted by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in its campaign against 'unlawful land agreements' in grocery retailing. The group has confessed to 107 breaches of an order prohibiting supermarkets from imposing restrictions that prevent competitors from opening nearby stores, according to the watchdog, as reported by City AM. The CMA stated that its campaign aims to "ensure that shoppe...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-07-30 11:17

Just Eat launches first drone deliveries in UK and it could change takeaways forever

Just Eat Takeaway has initiated its first drone-operated food deliveries, marking the beginning of a significant rollout in collaboration with Manna Drone Delivery. The initial location for the rollout will be Dublin. Customers ordering from participating restaurants can now choose drone delivery and receive their meals in as little as three minutes, as reported by City AM. The service is designed to enhance efficiency and reduce delivery times d...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-07-28 11:59

Asos shares plunge as investors 'lose confidence' in retailer's turnaround plan

Asos shares have plummeted over 8% in early trading, exacerbating losses accumulated over several months as investors' faith in the retailer's recovery strategy has dwindled. The e-commerce company's share price has fallen by a third in the past month and has halved since the start of the year, with a 15% decline in the last five days alone, as reported by City AM. Currently, Asos shares are trading at 233p per share, a significant drop from the ...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-07-27 11:27

Government approves controversial M56 Tebay-style service station despite local opposition

Controversial plans to build a large service station on the M56 modeled after the popular Tebay Services have received approval from Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycock. The project, situated on a 39-acre site, will feature a fuel station, farm shop, and a 100-bed hotel, and should create 300 jobs. But it faced strong opposition from Trafford's Green councillors and local residents, who argue it will negatively impact businesses in ne...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-07-27 18:20

High Street shops, pubs and restaurants face £1bn tax bill from April

Shops, restaurants and pubs across England are facing an extra £1 billion in taxes when a discount is cut next month, adding to a “tsunami” of rising costs hurtling toward the sector, according to new analysis. Businesses in London will be hit hardest by changes, tax and software firm Ryan found. Firms in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector are facing increased costs in April when a discount on business rates will be reduced from 75% to 40...

in Retail & Consumer 2026-07-26 18:54