How did Next become an online shopping behemoth? May 8, 2025 A better-than-expected set of first-quarter results from Next this morning has highlighted its growing reputation as an online fashion platform. Online sales, which account for around 30 per cent on overall sales, grew by 8.9 per cent in the UK and 29.6 per cent internationally. Internet-based sales have been a bigger driver of revenue over [...]
Next warns impact of tax hikes could hit sales May 8, 2025 High street bellwether Next has upgraded its full-year profit guidance after better-than-expected sales, but warned consumer confidence will slow sales in the second half of the year. Next told markets this morning that total full price sales rose 11.4 per cent year on year in the 13 weeks to April 26. The sales boost, which [...]
Why M&S, Harrods and the Co-op were hit by cyber attacks May 8, 2025 Cyber security experts have warned that retail’s lack of investment in IT protection, as well as the amount of consumer data it has access to, has put a bullseye on the sector. The warnings follow a trio of serious attacks at major UK households names – Harrods, Marks and Spencer (M&S) and the Co-op. “Retailers [...]
Gymshark: How going public could help take on ‘monster rivals’ Nike and Adidas May 7, 2025 Gymshark, the activewear brand co-founded by billionaire Ben Francis, could be pushed towards becoming a public company in its bid to “achieve the kind of global domination enjoyed by monster rivals Nike and Adidas”. According to Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, the Solihull-headquartered business would need to “amp up its presence” [...]
H&M Group takes minority stake in e-commerce firm Centra May 7, 2025 H&M has taken a minority stake in e-commerce firm Centra as it looks to deepen its relationship with the company. The stake, which is less than 10 per cent, values Centra at just over half a billion Swedish kronor, according to Di Digital. H&M will invest SEK 50m (£3.9m) in the company, which supports retail [...]
Clipper tea owner gets £76m pay day after KP Snacks deal boosts profit May 7, 2025 The owner of tea brand Clipper is in line for a huge pay day after the sale of Whole Earth to KP Snacks saw a massive spike in profit. Kallo Foods, whose products also include Kallo and Mrs Crimbles, sold the brand towards the end of 2024 for a then-undisclosed sum. New accounts have now [...]
JYSK: Losses continue as stores close and jobs shed May 7, 2025 Losses continued at the UK arm of Danish homewares retailer JYSK as it closed stores and shed jobs during its latest financial year. The business, which forms part of the global group, has reported a pre-tax loss of £3.2m for the 12 months to 31 August, 2024. The total comes after JYSK also posted a [...]
Deliveroo reaches agreement on £2.9bn DoorDash takeover May 6, 2025 The board of Deliveroo has said it has “reached agreement” on the terms of a takeover offer by US rival DoorDash as it prepares to exit the London Stock Exchange. The offer of 180p per share represents a premium of 44 per cent on Deliveroo’s closing share price on the day prior to the acquisition, [...]
Harrods hit in cyber spree as experts warn of ‘coordinated campaign’ May 2, 2025 Harrods has become the latest high profile UK retailer targeted by cyber attackers, joining Marks & Spencer and Co-op Group in a spate of recent incidents that security experts fear may be part of a broader attack against the sector. Harrods has confirmed that it had experienced “attempted to gain unauthorised access” to its systems. [...]
Meet the best friends behind fast-growing Castore rival Montirex May 2, 2025 Montirex, a sportswear brand founded by two best friends, has predicted another huge jump in its sales and profit this year as it seeks to take on rival Castore. The Liverpool-headquartered business has revealed it is eyeing a turnover of around £130m for 2025, up from the £76.7m it achieved last year and £33.4m in [...]