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PiRA24 Judge Interview: Martin Newman

Lounge launches city debut with pop-up at Liverpool One
Grosvenor has announced that underwear brand, Lounge, has launched its Christmas pop-up store on Liverpool ONE’s South John Street. Marking the brand’s city debut, the 4,000... View ArticleView Article

Usdaw urges MPs to back Labour’s ‘community policing guarantee’ to tackle retail crime
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed Labour’s ‘community policing guarantee’, aimed at tackling an epidemic of retail crime sweeping through the sector. The plans are outlined... View ArticleView Article

Quiz warns on full year revenue following dip in sales
Fashion retailer Quiz has seen its first half revenue decline by 14% to £42.3 million after cost of living pressures impacted demand for its dressy occasionwear.... View ArticleView Article

The Cotswold Company to open new store in Bath as part of omnichannel growth strategy
The Cotswold Company has launched its ninth UK store in Bath as part of its digitally-led omnichannel growth strategy. Due to open on 14 December, the... View ArticleView Article

THG to acquire Biossance skincare brand
THG is to acquire prestige skincare brand Biossance from US biotechnology group Amyris, which has recently commenced voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings. At an auction on 30... View ArticleView Article

Watcho opens flagship store in Richmond
Watch retailer Watcho has opened a flagship store in London’s Richmond. The new space will offer brands such as Rado, Raymond Weil, Frederique Constant, Ball Watch... View ArticleView Article

Ted Baker operator secures new funding for the brand
The operator of Ted Baker’s UK and European retail and ecommerce business has secured new funding to help grow the brand. Specialist asset-based lender Secure Trust... View ArticleView Article

It’s Black Fry-day! Demand for Air Fryers boosts Black Friday sales
Expectations for a good Black Friday weekend have been high in the consumer technology, durables and homewares markets which have had a challenging 2023 so far.... View ArticleView Article

From punk roots to vinyl heights: Rough Trade's ongoing legacy and expansion
In the resounding resurgence of vinyl within mainstream music, Rough Trade emerges as a defining force, seamlessly fusing a love for music with operational expertise. With... View ArticleView Article

ASA To Step Up Deployment Of AI Technology To Monitor Greenwashing
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is to harness AI to combat greenwashing: strengthening oversight on environmental claims Greenwashing, as defined in the “Sins of Greenwashing” report,... View ArticleView Article

Superdrug opens "best-in-class" store at Brent Cross
Superdrug has opened a new larger, “best-in-class” store at Brent Cross Shopping Centre as it continues its expansion across London. Spanning 6,000 square feet, it is... View ArticleView Article

Nisa appoints new head of central operations
Nisa has promoted Michelle Scott-Jones to the role of head of central operations. Now heading into her thirtieth year with the business, she previously held the... View ArticleView Article

Tessa Group invests in Sofa Club
Sofa Club has announced that Polish sofa manufacturer Tessa Group has acquired a significant shareholding in its business. As part of the investment, Tessa Group is... View ArticleView Article

Majestic strengthens property team with two newly created roles
Wine retailer Majestic has strengthened its property team with two key appointments as part of plans to accelerate its store opening programme. In a first appointment,... View ArticleView Article

The Body Shop reignites its fight against animal testing
The Body Shop has teamed up with long-term partner Cruelty Free International to reignite its campaign against animal testing. The UK banned animal testing for make-up... View ArticleView Article

Boots to donate 100,000 essential hygiene products to The Hygiene Bank
Boots is to donate 100,000 essential hygiene products to The Hygiene Bank as it looks to help people affected by hygiene poverty. The health and beauty... View ArticleView Article

French Connection joins line up at Manchester Arndale
French Connection has opened a new store at Manchester Arndale. Situated at Lower Unit 30 in the shopping centre, the 2,189 square foot shop will stock... View ArticleView Article

Small Business Saturday: The Flora Lab
Running a small business in the face of huge Black Friday sales can be a daunting challenge, which is why Small Business Saturday, 2nd December, it’s the perfect opportunity... View ArticleView Article

Costa Coffee opens modern refreshed store in Plymouth’s town centre
Costa Coffee has unveiled its uplifted New George Street store in Plymouth, which re-opened this week. Giving customers a new way to Costa by the Sundial,... View ArticleView Article

Wilko returns to UK high streets with stores in Plymouth and Exeter
The Wilko brand has returned to UK high streets today with the opening of concept stores in Plymouth and Exeter ahead of a national roll-out. The... View ArticleView Article

Scents of Sustainability: Unveiling the eco-friendly essence with The Perfume Shop
[New interview]: The Perfume Shop and L’Oréal Unveil Groundbreaking Multi-Brand Fragrance Refill Station in Nottingham In a pioneering move towards sustainable beauty practices, The Perfume Shop,... View ArticleView Article

Frasers Group pulls out of deal to acquire SportScheck
Frasers Group has pulled out of a deal to buy Germany’s SportScheck from Signa Holding. The owner of Sports Direct announced back in October that it... View ArticleView Article

Aldi invests £12 million in further price cuts
Aldi is investing £12 million in cutting the prices of more than 180 products in the run-up to Christmas. The supermarket is lowering prices by an... View ArticleView Article

Claire's appoints chief financial officer and chief operating officer
Claire’s has appointed Chris Cramer as chief financial officer and chief operating officer. He recently served as president of Parade, a Gen Z-focused lingerie and lifestyle... View ArticleView Article

Phase Eight opens flagship Manchester store
Phase Eight has opened a new flagship store in Manchester as part of the latest stage of its retail expansion strategy. Situated at 8 Exchange Street... View ArticleView Article

Royal Mail brings singing Christmas postboxes to four UK cities
Royal Mail is spreading some Christmas cheer by installing singing postboxes in four iconic locations across the UK. Festively decorated, the postboxes merrily respond with one... View ArticleView Article

A.F. Blakemore appoints Lawrence Shirazian as MD of Foodservice Business Unit
A.F. Blakemore, one of the UK’s largest privately owned family businesses, is pleased to announce that Lawrence Shirazian will join as Managing Director of their newly... View ArticleView Article

SPAR UK donates £250,000 to FareShare
Following SPAR UK’s announcement this September that the symbol group had partnered with food redistribution charity FareShare to launch its Giving One Million Meals campaign, a... View ArticleView Article

Responsible Business strategy: Double materiality assessments
What is a double materiality assessment and why should a retail business do one? In the world of ESG, double materiality assessment is a concept used... View ArticleView Article

Lidl gears up for "record breaking" Christmas
Lidl has said it is preparing for a record breaking Christmas following an 11% uptick in customers over the past six weeks. The retailer said it... View ArticleView Article

Mulberry grows sales but losses widen
Mulberry saw its revenue increase by 7% to £69.7 million in its first half as it continues to invest in its long-term future. In the six... View ArticleView Article

Dr. Martens warns on profit after revenue decline
Dr. Martens’ has reported a 5% decline in first-half revenue to £395.8 million following weakness in its US wholesale division. The six months to 30 September... View ArticleView Article

Jollyes posts strongest ever first half performance
Jollyes has delivered its strongest ever first half trading performance in the six months to 27 November. During the period, the pet retailer’s like-for-like sales climbed... View ArticleView Article

Goldsmiths opens new luxury showroom in Bullring upsize
Goldsmiths has reopened its showroom at Birmingham’s Bullring following a substantial upsize and refurbishment. Spanning two floors, the 8,000 square foot boutique features a glass wrap-around... View ArticleView Article

Primark to open five new stores in Italy
Primark is to open five new stores in Italy over the next few years as part of a €50 million investment. The new shops in Livorno,... View ArticleView Article

Intellectual property dangers loom for major retailers in 2024 as generative AI advances
Next year will see an increasing number of major retailers in the UK getting caught out by the intellectual property (IP) pitfalls that exist from generative... View ArticleView Article

Beyond the Aisles: Safeguarding retail workers in the face of escalating safety challenges
The retail sector is facing a surge in public aggression, dubbed the ‘intolerance epidemic,’ with safety concerns for workers on the rise. An insight from Naz... View ArticleView Article

Greggs teams up with Fenwick on first fine dining bistro
Greggs is collaborating with the Fenwick department store in Newcastle to launch a bistro serving a multi-course menu of fine-dining interpretations of its bakes and sweet... View ArticleView Article

Amazon launches in-person Second Chance Store
Amazon has launched its first physical Second Chance Store after teaming up with children’s charity Barnardo’s. Opening for two weeks from today, the shop will give... View ArticleView Article

Halfords delivers first half sales and profit growth
Halfords has grown its first-half revenue by 13.9% to £873.5 million despite “challenging” market conditions. In the six-month period to 29 September, like-for-like sales rose by... View ArticleView Article

CMA releases update on review of competition in the grocery sector
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has released its latest findings and next steps in its ongoing review of the grocery sector. The move follows an... View ArticleView Article

Canada Goose acquires knitwear manufacturer Paola Confectii
Canada Goose has acquired the operating assets of Paola Confectii Manufacturing. The purchase of the Romanian company means that Canada Goose now has a manufacturing facility... View ArticleView Article

IKEA rolls out mobile collection points with Tesco
IKEA is rolling out over 70 additional mobile pick-up points in partnership with Tesco. The new service will allow shoppers to collect their online IKEA orders... View ArticleView Article

Holland & Barrett unveils Trafford Centre store
Holland & Barrett has reopened its store at Manchester’s Trafford Centre following an extensive refurbishment. Spanning 1,857 square feet, the shop features a new look and... View ArticleView Article

Natural Baby Shower: Sustainable growth and family values at the heart of eco-friendly success
Natural Baby Shower, founded 18 years ago by Clifton Vaughan and Victoria Hampson, has seen a remarkable 75% increase in sales, soaring to £28 million. The... View ArticleView Article

Pets at Home posts higher sales ahead of Christmas
Pets at Home has announced that its half-year consumer revenue has come in better than expected with growth of 8.6% to £1 billion. The company, which... View ArticleView Article

Topps Tiles delivers record revenue
Topps Tiles Group has delivered its third consecutive record year of revenue with growth of 6.3% to £262.7 million. In the six months to 30 September,... View ArticleView Article

Pret A Manger to open first shop in Northern Ireland
Pret A Manger is to open its first shop in Northern Ireland next week. Due to launch on 7 December, the shop on Belfast’s Donegall Square... View ArticleView Article

Look Fantastic to open first London Christmas pop-up
Look Fantastic is to launch its first-ever London Christmas pop-up at 189 Piccadilly Townhouse. Opening from 29 November to 3 December, the Look Fantastic House of... View ArticleView Article

DECATHLON Acquires Bergfreunde
DECATHLON is pleased to announce the acquisition of Bergfreunde, an online specialist retailer for mountain sports, climbing, and outdoor equipment. The purchase agreement, which was signed... View ArticleView Article

Profitability vs ED&I: The Delicate Balance in Asos' Executive Bonus Scheme
It has been reported that fashion retailer, Asos, has decided to abandon diversity targets in its annual executive bonus scheme, choosing to prioritise profitability instead. This... View ArticleView Article

Cancer Research and the Retail Trust to offer shop staff and volunteers free wellbeing support
Cancer Research UK has started working with the Retail Trust to support the wellbeing of the thousands of volunteers and staff members at its 550+ UK... View ArticleView Article

Mountain Warehouse ups pace of new openings as sales surge
Mountain Warehouse is upping the pace of new store openings after its sales hit an all-time high this year. The outdoor retailer, which has 370 shops... View ArticleView Article

Q&A: Stephanie Glendinning of Centre:mk
Here we catch up with Stephanie Glendinning, one of the few retail relations managers at a retail destination in the UK, to find out how her... View ArticleView Article

TK Maxx joins line-up at Glasgow's Braehead
TK Maxx has opened a new store in Glasgow’s Braehead shopping centre just in time for the festive season. Spanning 27,000 square feet, the shop will offer customers... View ArticleView Article

John Lewis expands in-store services offering with launch of Randox Health clinics
John Lewis has teamed up with Randox Health to offer a range of health programmes aimed at preventative healthcare. The department store said the move forms... View ArticleView Article

Mango returns to Cork
Mango has returned to Cork as part of plans to strengthen its presence in Ireland. The Spanish fashion retailer previously operated a store in the city... View ArticleView Article

Tree-mendous charity favourite returns for shoppers this festive season
‘Giving Trees’ are back in all Waitrose and John Lewis shops this festive season, helping to raise donations for the John Lewis Partnership’s ‘Building Happier Futures’... View ArticleView Article

Dirtea announced new retail partnership with Oliver Bonas
DIRTEA, creators of functional mushroom products has announced a new retail partnership with Oliver Bonas, the independent British lifestyle store. Following a number of high-profile retail... View ArticleView Article

Poundland confirms an additional seven former Wilko stores will open before Christmas
Poundland has confirmed another seven former Wilko stores would re-open before Christmas bringing the total of former Wilko stores that are beginning their Poundland journeys to... View ArticleView Article

HMV reopens flagship Oxford Street store
HMV has launched a new flagship store in London’s Oxford Street on the site where it originally opened its doors in 1921. Spanning three floors, the... View ArticleView Article

Consumer confidence improves in November
Consumer confidence has improved in November despite people’s ongoing concerns about the cost of living. GfK’s latest Consumer Confidence index has risen by six points in the... View ArticleView Article

Boots secures £4.8 billion full buy-in with Legal & General for pension scheme
Boots has struck a deal with Legal & General in which liabilities for its pension scheme will be switched to the insurance firm. The health and... View ArticleView Article

Intimissimi opens new Covent Garden store
Calzedonia Group is expanding the UK footprint of its Intimissimi lingerie brand with the opening of a new store in London. The shop in Covent Garden... View ArticleView Article

Asda to donate one million breakfasts
Asda is to give away a million breakfast meals to mark its ten-year partnership with FareShare, the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and tackling food waste.... View ArticleView Article

Primark says 55% of its clothes are now made from sustainable materials
Two years since the launch of its sustainability strategy, Primark has said it is on track with its commitment to have all of its clothes made... View ArticleView Article

Superdrug to open new store in Lerwick
Superdrug is to open a new store in Lerwick today as grows its presence in Scotland and Shetland. The 2,784 square foot space will offer customers... View ArticleView Article

PiRA24 Judge Interview: Sean Ghouse, Fortnum & Mason
Meet Sean Ghouse, the UK Retail Director for Fortnum & Mason and a seasoned retail professional with almost 30 years of experience. Sean’s journey started part-time... View ArticleView Article

Urban Outfitters owner posts record revenues
The parent company of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Free People has announced that its sales rose by 9% to a record $1.28 billion in the three... View ArticleView Article

KFC UK & Ireland appoints marketing director
KFC UK & Ireland has promoted Kate Wall to the role of marketing director. Due to move from her current position of strategy and innovation director... View ArticleView Article

The Original Factory Shop opens 200th store location
Discount retailer The Original Factory Shop has opened its 200th UK store in Ringwood in Hampshire as part of of its ongoing expansion plans. This means... View ArticleView Article

Uniqlo partners with Trussell Trust
Uniqlo is partnering with anti-poverty charity the Trussell Trust for a second year running as it celebrates its Arigato Festival. Until 21 December, the Japanese clothing brand... View ArticleView Article

Retailers react to Autumn Statement
Retail leaders express diverse concerns, from Taxation to Business Rates, following Autumn Statement. Alex Baldock, CEO of Currys said: “It is deeply disappointing that the Chancellor has... View ArticleView Article

What the Autumn Statement by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt means for Retail
The Autumn Statement unveiled by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt earlier today encompasses several measures that will have both direct and indirect impacts on the retail industry in... View ArticleView Article

Nisa announces new Director of Retail and Sales
Katie Secretan joins Nisa from the Post Office to strengthen Peter Batt’s leadership team Nisa MD, Peter Batt, has appointed Katie Secretan onto his senior leadership... View ArticleView Article

Nixi Body celebrates abolition of Period Pants Tax: A win for women's health and the planet
Following the announcement that the abolition of VAT on period pants will be included in today’s Autumn Statement, Kelly Newton, co-founder of reusable leak-proof knicker brand,... View ArticleView Article

Comment: Customisation is strangling retail
Life seemed a lot simpler when replacing a light-bulb involved choosing from six variations: 40w, 60w or 100w in either bayonet or screw cap. Nowadays navigating... View ArticleView Article

Victorian Plumbing posts uplift in sales and profit
Victorian Plumbing has reported an uplift in full year sales and profit after focusing on its growth plans. The year to 30 September saw the bathroom... View ArticleView Article

Kingfisher lowers full year profit guidance after weaker sales in France
Kingfisher has revised its full year profit guidance after being impacted by weaker sales in France and other international markets. In the three months to 31... View ArticleView Article

IKEA launches new mattress removal and recycling scheme
IKEA has launched a new mattress removal and recycling scheme as part of its sustainable services offering. The service will allow customers to book a collection... View ArticleView Article

Gap UK adds Banana Republic and Athleta to its website
Gap UK has announced that Gap Inc. brands Banana Republic and Athleta have now been made available on its UK website. The company said the move... View ArticleView Article

Ted Baker founder Ray Kelvin is back with Sealskinz pop-up in London
Sealskinz has opened a new pop-up store in London’s Marylebone Lane for an eight-week period. Offering the brand’s core range of waterproof outdoors accessories, the shop... View ArticleView Article

The Awards for People in Retail 2024
We’re thrilled to announce the return of the People in Retail Awards for it’s second year! Following a phenomenal inaugural year, we’ve taken onboard your feedback,... View ArticleView Article

Period Pants tax cut after 5-year battle: A landmark victory for women's health
In a historic win for women’s health and small businesses, Ruby Raut, the founder of WUKA, has successfully led the charge to abolish the 20% VAT... View ArticleView Article

AO raises full year profit guidance
AO World has raised its full year profit guidance following a return to profit in its first half. In the six months to 30 September, the... View ArticleView Article

Topps Tiles appoints new non-executive director
Topps Tiles has appointed Denise Jagger as a non-executive director. Due to join the retailer’s board on 1 February, she will succeed Keith Down as senior... View ArticleView Article

Marks & Spencer given green light for judicial review over Marble Arch store plans
Marks & Spencer has been granted permission by the High Court to apply for a judicial review of the decision by the Secretary of State for... View ArticleView Article

ProCook opens 60th UK store at Atria Watford
Kitchenware brand ProCook has opened a new store in Watford as part of its UK wide expansion plans. Its 60th in the UK, the shop at... View ArticleView Article

Tesco teams up with Evri to offer Clubcard points on every parcel sent
Tesco has teamed up with Evri on a new initiative where customers can collect Tesco Clubcard points for every parcel they send with the delivery firm.... View ArticleView Article
![[Christmas commentary] Delivering Joy: A heartwarming holiday tale](https://www.theretailbulletin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Dunelm-4.png)
[Christmas commentary] Delivering Joy: A heartwarming holiday tale
Once upon a time, in the festive town of Dunelm, there existed a magical campaign that captured the true spirit of Christmas – the Delivering Joy... View ArticleView Article

Review: THE Retail Conference
After initially struggling in the UK, the affordable luxury brand Rituals engaged in a focus on improving the customer experience that led to a turnaround in... View ArticleView Article

Music Magpie explores sale of business
The board of Music Magpie has confirmed that it is exploring a sale of the business with BT Group and Aurelius Group. The news follows speculation... View ArticleView Article

Secret Sales strengthens leadership team to drive international growth
Secret Sales has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Chris Lacey as chief digital officer. The move comes as the company accelerates its European... View ArticleView Article

Poundland launches first-ever Black Friday event
Poundland is launching its first-ever Black Friday event this week across its stores and online. From 22 to 26 November, the retailer will be offering 20%... View ArticleView Article

Hype announces global expansion plans following investment from Projekt Indigo
Lifestyle brand Hype has announced plans for global expansion following a substantial investment from India-based Kolektive Ventures, which operates as Projekt Indigo in the UK. The... View ArticleView Article

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