Starbucks cheers ‘good progress’ in plan for 100 new UK shops September 7, 2023 Coffee giant Starbucks has hailed “good progress” in its expansion plans to open 100 new stores in the UK over the current year. The chain said it has also “maintained strong, double-digit growth” in the UK in recent months despite pressure on consumer spending due to the rising cost of living. On Thursday, the retail [...]
Ann Summers: Turnover reaches over £100m as lingerie retailer plots store expansion September 6, 2023 The erotic retailer, which has 88 stores across the UK and Ireland, plans to open four or five more stores in 2024, a new filing posted on Companies House shows.
TRG: Profits soar as Wagamama owner defies drab outlook for casual dining market September 6, 2023 TRG, which owns a slew of casual dining chains and pubs, its most popular being Japanese inspired eatery Wagamama, reported a 10 per cent rise in total revenue during the term to £467.4m.
WH Smith: Revenues surge 28 per cent as travel hub retailer boosted by summer splurge September 6, 2023 WH Smith said its revenues surged 28 per cent compared to a year ago, as the group was bolstered by a busy period for summer travel. The highstreet stalwart, which has stores in airports and train stations, said revenues across its travel hubs jumped 42 per cent as passengers return to their pre-Covid holiday habits. [...]
Halfords revenues rise as consumers sniff out budget auto care September 6, 2023 Halfords reported a 14.1 per cent hike in revenue for the first five months of the year as the retailer was bolstered by demand for “basic needs” services such as motoring. The motoring and cycling retailer said that revenue in its autocentres division grew 34.6 per cent and retail rose 3.7 per cent. Halfords has [...]
Lidl opens its largest ever warehouse in Luton September 5, 2023 Lidl has opened its biggest warehouse worldwide, which is worth £300m, in Luton creating over 1,000 new jobs. The German discounter said the 1.2m sq ft site in Houghton Regis, Luton, will service 150 stores and open up 1,500 new positions. The regional distribution centre (RDC) will feature solar panels that are set to generate [...]
Wilko: Store confirms over 1,000 job cuts – but talks with HMV owner continue September 5, 2023 Wilko’s administrators confirmed today that it will cut 1,300 jobs and close 52 stores.
Asda chairman says supermarkets owed ‘debt of gratitude’ as he snubs profiteering claims September 5, 2023 Asda’s chairman said supermarkets are owed a “great debt of gratitude” as he rebuffed claims that the grocer is profiteering from rising petrol and food prices amid the cost of living crisis. Speaking to LBC, Stuart Rose said that all retailers have seen their profits over the last year go “backwards”. “If you look at [...]
Gambling Commission chief says fines have caused industry ‘real distress’ September 5, 2023 The UK gambling watchdog’s boss has said escalating regulatory action and penalties have caused the industry some “real distress”.
N Brown: Online retailers will ‘kick on’ again in new year following cost of living lull September 5, 2023 N Brown chief executive Steve Johnson said he expects online retailers to “kick on” again in the new year, following a lull period driven partly by customers returning to physical stores in order to shop around amid the cost of living crisis. Speaking to City A.M., Johnson, who heads up the business behind popular online [...]