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 [...]
Amanda Holden sofa range lifts DFS as profit jumps September 24, 2026 DFS has toasted its partnership with media personality Amanda Holden as the sofa seller saw profits jump by a third. The London-listed furniture store said its collaboration with the Britain’s Got Talent judge, which includes a range of three Amanda Holden-branded sofas, has lifted its performance. Steve Johnson, chairman of DFS, said that its partnership [...]
Burnham urged to boost West End with tax cuts and extra policing September 24, 2026 The West End risks losing its status as one of the world’s best shopping and hospitality destinations without immediate action to cut tax and boost policing, Andy Burnham has been warned. The New West End Company (NWEC), which represents 800 businesses involved in the world-famous district, has urged the government to slash business rates and [...]
Co-op blames job cuts on Labour national insurance raid September 23, 2026 Co-op group has slashed its headcount this year to handle the added costs of Labour’s national insurance raid, its chief executive has revealed, saying the tax hikes had pushed the retailer to invest in more automation. The group, which runs life insurance and funeral businesses as well as its grocery arm, said on Wednesday that [...]
Co-op looks to funeral arm in hunt for turnaround from cyber-attack September 23, 2026 Co-op posted a jump in turnover at its funeral arm, as the member-owned group said it is setting out the foundations to recover from a costly cyber-attack last year. Kate Allum, interim chief executive of the food-to-insurance firm, said the group is facing a “year of two halves” and will see its turnaround plan deliver [...]
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 [...]
Debenhams owner facing scrutiny from data protection watchdog September 23, 2026 Few quirks of modern life are so hated as the inability to cancel a subscription. For retail giant Debenhams, that ire could land it in hot water with the UK’s data protection watchdog. The retailer is facing scrutiny from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) after the watchdog received multiple complaints from consumers who could not [...]
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 [...]
Kingfisher shares rocket after B&Q owner lifts profit target September 22, 2026 Home improvement group Kingfisher saw its shares rocket after the group lifted its profit target, despite summer heatwaves pushing down sales at B&Q. The FTSE 100 retailer, which also owns Screwfix, said it now expects to make a pre-tax profit of between £595m and £635m, having previously guided between £565m and £625m. Last year, the [...]
Business rates cut will ‘backfire’ for Soho and West End September 22, 2026 John Healey’s plans to deliver an emergency tax cut for high street businesses would fail to boost most firms in London’s busiest areas like Soho and the West End, analysis suggests. The Chancellor is reportedly planning to cut taxes for pubs, shops, cafes and restaurants by hiking the threshold for small business rates relief (SBBR). [...]