January retail sales plunged by 8% compared to December in a slump three times worse than experts predicted as non-essential High Street stores were shut during lockdown Economists had predicted January would see retail sales decline by around 2.5% Office for National Statistics figures released today show retail sales fell by 8.2% Non-food stores were … Read more
Changing the retail guard: Online fashion pioneers come of age with landmark takeovers, says ALEX BRUMMER By Alex Brummer for the Daily Mail Published: 21:50 GMT, 25 January 2021 | Updated: 22:40 GMT, 25 January 2021 Boohoo’s takeover of the Debenhams brands and platform, together with the exclusive talks by Asos to buy Sir Philip … Read more
Bonmarché, the value-oriented clothing retailer, went into administration for the second time in a year on 2 December 2020. There are 226 stores and more than 1200 employees. It is owned as a separate business by Philip Day, whose EWM is also in crisis (see below). Philip Day put this company into administration a few … Read more
Retail mogul Philip Day strikes deal to rescue Edinburgh Woollen Mill with 1,453 jobs and 246 stores saved By City & Finance Reporter for the Daily Mail Published: 22:00 GMT, 12 January 2021 | Updated: 22:19 GMT, 12 January 2021 The owner of Edinburgh Woollen Mill has secured a deal to rescue the brand The … Read more
ALEX BRUMMER: How retail has defied the odds with some firms doing splendidly By Alex Brummer for the Daily Mail Published: 22:05 GMT, 12 January 2021 | Updated: 22:22 GMT, 12 January 2021 The pandemic is throwing up the unexpected when it comes to the economy. Ben Broadbent notes that 2020 may be the weakest … Read more
Anger and confusion today arose over new lockdown restrictions which mean garden centres can stay open, but non-essential retail stores are being forced to close. Thousands of chain and independent retailers have for a third time been ordered to shut their stores across England amid rising Covid infection and death figures. But some shop owners … Read more
Food products that could be affected by shortages Industry insiders warned that there are several products most at risk of shortages. This is because these products are typically imported from the Continent at this time of year. These include: Salad leaves, including lettuces Citrus fruit Broccoli Cauliflower Fresh soft fruit, like strawberries ans raspberries Shellfish … Read more
The troubled Arcadia Group and Topshop/Topman appeared before a judge today accused of allowing the death of a 10-year-old boy in one of their stores through unsafe practices. The court heard how the retail empire owned by Sir Philip Green and its child company, which plunged into administration at the end of last month, could … Read more
Shocked shopper films rats swarming over retail park ‘like a Bushtucker Trial’ in stomach-churning footage Shoppers saw more than 20 rats in a shopping centre car park in Hull The rats were seen outside Poundland in St Andrews Retail Park in Hull One viewer compared the scenes to a Bushtucker Trial in I’m A Celebrity … Read more
Retail veterans back calls for business rates relief for the High Street to be extended past April 2021 By Tom Witherow For The Daily Mail Published: 21:50 GMT, 9 December 2020 | Updated: 21:50 GMT, 9 December 2020 A dozen retail industry veterans have urged High Street business rates relief to be extended past April. … Read more