Next unveils huge development in £2.5bn economy boost March 26, 2026 Retail giant Next has unveiled a huge new development which it says will add £2.5bn to the economy, as the FTSE 100 firm invests over £300m in its warehouses. The firm has been granted planning permission to build a new 1.2m sq ft warehouse in its Elmsall complex in Yorkshire, with construction set to commence [...]
Co-op takes £126m knock from cyber attack as boss quits March 26, 2026 Retailer Co-op has slumped to a £126m loss as it reels from the cyber attack which cost the firm nearly £300m last year, as its chief executive quit. The grocery chain is preparing to slash costs in the coming year, as it plans to cut £200m of spending in 2026. Co-op’s cyber attack in April [...]
Next: Iran war costs retailer £15m and could push up prices March 26, 2026 High street giant Next has said it will take a £15m hit from the soaring air freight and fuel prices caused by the Iran war, as it races to make savings elsewhere to offset the costs. The FTSE 100 firm said it expects the conflict to constrain its growth in the Middle East, which accounts [...]
Consumer confidence collapses as Iran war provokes inflation fears March 26, 2026 Brits’ confidence in the state of the economy has plummeted since the outbreak of war in Iran, as shoppers tighten their purse strings amid fears of sharp price rises. Consumer sentiment over the UK’s economy has fallen to its lowest level on record, down from -30 per cent to -53 per cent, according to trade [...]
Rain drives shoppers off high streets in blow to retailers March 6, 2026 This year’s record wet weather has kept Brits indoors and away from the high street, in a blow to retailers as they face growing costs. Retail footfall fell by 4.5 per cent in February year on year, down from January’s 0.6 per cent decrease, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). UK retailers are sounding [...]
Brits go budget as ready meals replace restaurant dates March 4, 2026 Shoppers are opting for own-brand ready meals instead of fancy restaurant dinners in a boost for supermarkets. Brits are spending more on groceries but getting less for their money, as total till sales at UK supermarkets grew 3.3 per cent in the four weeks leading up to 22 February while the number of units sold [...]
Shop price inflation eases in relief for cash-strapped Brits March 3, 2026 Shop price inflation slowed in February, as retailers introduced a raft of promotions to ease the cash burden on struggling shoppers. The price of goods in UK shops grew at a rate of 1.1 per cent in February year on year, down from the 1.5 per cent rate of inflation seen in January, according to [...]
London mayor gives green light for pedestrianised Oxford Street February 26, 2026 Sadiq Khan has signed off proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street, ordering London’s transport authority to begin plans to remove traffic in a major shake-up the nation’s most popular shopping area. The London Mayor gave his approval to the plans on Thursday, claiming the “bold” proposal will transform the high street into a “world-leading” shopping and [...]
Boost for retail sales as tech and fuel drives growth February 20, 2026 UK retail sales grew by 1.8 per cent in January as the performance of non-food retailers outshone struggling supermarkets, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures reveal. Automotive fuel sales, art galleries and tech retailers drove this growth, the ONS said, which was partially dragged down by falling supermarket sales. Retail sales were up slightly on [...]
Retail confidence falls at its fastest rate since 2008 November 25, 2025 Confidence amongst retailers has dropped at its fastest rate in 17 years as firms become increasingly pessimistic about their fortunes amid high taxes and low spending. Retailers expect demand to remain subdued heading into December, with sales set to fall again – albeit at a somewhat slower pace, according to the CBI’s latest quarterly Distributive [...]