Billionaire Weston family buys Boots for $9bn October 7, 2026 The billionaire Weston family has struck a deal to buy Boots for nearly $9bn, scuppering hopes that the high street giant could return to the London Stock Exchange. Wittington Investments, the holding company for the Westons’ Canadian operations, said on Wednesday it will buy Boots from its private equity owners, Sycamore Partners. The deal brings [...]
Costa Coffee hails ‘strong progress’ after Coca-Cola scraps sale October 3, 2026 Costa Coffee has hailed a year of “strong progress” after owner Coca-Cola scrapped plans to sell it, with the coffee chain saying its refurbishment plan is paying off. The UK’s second-largest coffee chain grew revenue by five per cent to £1.3bn last year and returned to operating profit. Coca-Cola had been hoping to offload the [...]
Billionaire Weston family closes in on £7bn Boots takeover October 1, 2026 The Canada arm of the billionaire family behind Primark is inching towards another deal, as it closes in on a £7bn takeover of Boots from its private equity owners. The Westons are in advanced talks to buy the UK pharmacy chain from Sycamore Partners, ending hopes of a potential London IPO. Discussions are ongoing, a [...]
Bring ‘punishing’ high street taxes in line with banks, Healey urged October 1, 2026 John Healey has been urged to bring down the “punishing” tax burden facing the retail and hospitality industries, which is higher than any other sector. Hospitality businesses pay 82p in taxes for every pound and retail pays 72p, compared to the 40p paid by banks, according to new analysis by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) [...]
Poundland owner weighs break-up of retailer it bought for £1 September 30, 2026 A flurry of bids for just some of Poundland’s 600 shops could prompt Poundland to consider a break up of the retailer, City AM understands. US investment firm Gordon Brothers initially sought offers for the entirety of the business, but may instead opt to sell Poundland’s stores to a number of different buyers, sources told [...]
Crew Clothing warns on consumer confidence as profit stalls September 29, 2026 Crew Clothing has warned that it could suffer from a significant slowdown in consumer confidence, as the retailer saw profit stall last year. The high street clothes seller said it is bracing for a potential drop-off in spending, as inflation fears caused by the Iran war tighten shoppers’ budgets. In a statement the firm said: [...]
Poundland suitors tussle to buy £30m discount retailer September 25, 2026 Several bidders will table offers for Poundland on Friday, as the owners of the discount retailer seek £30m for the company they bought for just £1. Multiple suitors are expected to hand their bids to Gordon Brothers, which owns Poundland, as early as Friday, as the US investment firm rushes to complete a deal before [...]
Poundland owner could carve out Irish business in rush sale September 24, 2026 Poundland’s owners are considering selling off the discount retailer and its Irish branch, Dealz, in two separate transactions, City AM has learned. Gordon Brothers, which bought Poundland and Dealz only a year ago, is sounding out interest in the two retailers in hopes of completing a deal before the busy Christmas trading period. This process [...]
JD Sports bemoans ‘tough trading’ as US sales slip September 23, 2026 JD Sports has seen revenue and profit slip so far this year, as weak consumer confidence in its key US market drives a “tough trading environment”. Régis Schultz, chief executive of the so-called ‘King of Trainers’, said on Wednesday that he is “encouraged” by the progress towards his growth plan while admitting that cost-of-living pressures [...]
Claire’s Accessories administrators hand creditors nearly £10m bill September 22, 2026 The administrators of collapsed jewellery retailer Claire’s Accessories have billed nearly £10m for their work, with bosses charging more than £1,500 per hour. The retail chain collapsed for the second time in January, just months after private equity firm Modella Capital bought it out of administration last September. The double collapse of Claire’s looks set [...]