Mike Ashley’s Frasers snaps up Harvey Nichols Retail Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has bought Harvey Nichols, plucking the struggling luxury department store from the jaws of insolvency. The group, which also owns Sports Direct and Flannels, has acquired each of the chain’s stores, excluding the site in Dublin, from FTI Consulting through a pre-pack administration process. Frasers’ acquisition of Harvey Nichols marks the [...]
John Lewis’ new boss faces a battle to boost online sales Retail Another cloud appeared in an already gloomy sky for John Lewis on Monday, when its managing director, Peter Ruis, announced his surprise departure. Just days before, an internal interview with the group’s chair, Jason Tarry, was leaked to the press, in which he warned of a “really tough” period for the firm. Ruis’s decision to [...]
John Lewis boss quits after warnings of ‘really tough’ trading Retail The boss of John Lewis’ department stores has quit after less than three years in charge, days after the group’s chair warned of “really tough” trading at the retail giant. Peter Ruis has said he will step down as managing director of John Lewis at the start of September, less than three years after he [...]
Harvey Nichols will collapse without rescue deal, directors warn August 10, 2026 Harvey Nichols will collapse into administration if a rescue buyer is not found, directors of the luxury department store chain have warned. The retail empire will “cease trading” if it fails to agree a sale and no additional funding is found, the group’s directors cautioned in its latest accounts. Harvey Nichols could find a buyer [...]
Next and Frasers go head to head for control of Harvey Nichols July 28, 2026 Retail giants Next and Frasers are set to go head to head for control of ailing department store Harvey Nichols when the Hong Kong-owned firm takes bids from British suitors later on Tuesday. The Knightsbridge-headquartered department store chain was put up for sale last month by its owner, Hong Kong billionaire Sir Dickson Poon, and [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers muscles in on Harvey Nichols sale July 14, 2026 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has gatecrashed the sales process for Harvey Nichols, defying the initial objections of the luxury department store’s brand partners. The fashion group, founded by billionaire Ashley, has successfully entered into the auction for the high-end retail group after demanding it be allowed to take part, City AM understands. Harvey Nichols had [...]
Original Factory Shop closes all stores amid collapse April 16, 2026 The Original Factory Shop has closed all 137 stores and its head office, after the retailer collapsed into administration amid growing industry fears over weak consumer confidence and high taxes. The discount department store was put into administration along with Claire’s Accessories earlier this year, as private equity firm Modella Capital said government policy was [...]
Selfridges: Losses slashed despite revenue hit October 1, 2025 Losses at luxury department store chain Selfridges have been slashed during its latest financial year despite its revenue taking a hit. The business, which has UK stores in London, Birmingham and two in Manchester, has posted a pre-tax loss of almost £16m for the 48 weeks to 4 January, 2025. The latest figure comes after Selfridges’ [...]
Harrods: Christmas strikes set for crisis-hit department store December 10, 2024 Harrods, the crisis-hit iconic London department store, is braced for another blow as hundreds of workers voted to strike over the critical Christmas period. Employees represented by the United Voices of the World (UVW) union will walk out from 8pm on Friday, 20 December, to Sunday, 22 December, and again from 12am on Boxing Day [...]
Harrods bosses should be questioned over Al Fayed ‘collusion’, says ex-employee September 21, 2024 Some Harrods bosses should be questioned over “collusion” with alleged misconduct by Mohamed Al Fayed, a former employee at the department store has said. Five women alleged they were raped by Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods who died last year at the age of 94, with a number of others alleging sexual misconduct. [...]