Ann Summers remains in the red as sales stall and jobs shed December 9, 2025 Ann Summers’ sales have stalled as it shed jobs and remained in the red during its latest financial year, it has been revealed. The business has posted a turnover of £93.4m for the 12 months to 28 June, 2025, according to new accounts filed with Companies House. The total comes after Ann Summers also reported [...]
Pubs outraged as Selfridges and Harrods see business rates slashed December 8, 2025 Rachel Reeves is facing a backlash for a cut to business rates for the likes of Selfridges and Harrods while many pubs and restaurants see a huge hike. Analysis has found that a new shake-up of business rates will cause the tax bill of luxury stores to fall, while smaller venues face double-digit increases. Harrods’ [...]
FCA to allow firms to ‘eradicate jargon’ for retail investors December 8, 2025 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is rolling out a heap of new measures to “move the dial on risk” among Britons as it bids to lead on the charge to boost retail investment, including through allowing them to remove legal jargon that confuses consumers. In a suite of consultations unveiled on Monday, the City regulator [...]
River Island sets sights on profit after losing almost £125m December 8, 2025 River Island lost almost £125m in the year before being saved from the brink of administration, it has been revealed. The high street retailer’s restructuring plan, which was approved in August, involved 33 stores being closed with the loss of hundreds of jobs. The proposal also included rents being reduced – some to zero – [...]
Round Retail: the social enterprise transforming second-hand fashion December 4, 2025 The fashion resale industry has transformed over the last few years, and social enterprise, Round Retail, founded by Annie Hought, has played a central role in that evolution. The East London native launched Round Retail in early 2023 with a mission to make second-hand shopping consumers’ first choice by offering a premium, in-person experience. “I [...]
Argos treated like an ‘unloved child’ by Sainsbury’s December 4, 2025 Argos “is not performing to the best of its ability” and the strategy of its owner, FTSE 100 giant Sainsbury’s, has left it like an “unloved child”, according to an analyst. The future of Argos was thrust into the headlines after Sainsbury’s confirmed in September that it was in discussions to sell the retailer to Chinese e-commerce giant [...]
Weight-loss drugs ‘fundamentally changing’ the way Brits eat December 3, 2025 The rise of weight-loss drugs is starting to affect supermarket sales, with experts warning that the sector is unprepared for the change this Christmas. More than one in ten Brits is set to host someone on GLP-1 medication this year, prompting less alcohol and fewer sweets on the menu. “There is a worry that Christmas [...]
Vivienne Westwood’s heirs bank £35m after record profit December 1, 2025 The widower and heirs of the late Dame Vivienne Westwood have banked £35m after profit at the late fashion designer’s company surged to a new record. Vivienne Westwood passed away at the end of 2022 at the age of 81 leaving her husband Andreas Kronthaler and two children in control of her business interests. Kronthaler, [...]
Gail’s to open 40 bakeries after creating 500 jobs December 1, 2025 Bakery chain Gail’s is to open 40 new sites by the end of February after creating almost 500 jobs during its latest financial year. The London-headquartered business said the new locations will all be open by 28 February, 2026, and it has plans to launch similar numbers “going forward”. The expansion comes after Gail’s opened [...]
Argos loses more than £200m as over 2,000 jobs cut December 1, 2025 Argos lost more than £200m during its latest financial year as over it cut over 2,000 jobs. The retailer, which is owned by FTSE 100 supermarket giant Sainsbury’s, has reported a pre-tax loss of £223.2m for the 12 months to 1 March, 2025. The loss comes after Argos posted a pre-tax profit of £37.3m in [...]