By: Felix Armstrong

Retail Reporter Felix Armstrong is City AM's retail reporter, covering retail, hospitality and property news. He has previously written for The Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph and The i Paper. Email Felix at Felix.Armstrong@cityam.com

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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 [...]
Healey urged to cut business costs as consumer confidence slips

September 24, 2026

Retailers have called on John Healey to slash the “burdensome” costs of doing business at the Budget next month, warning that consumer confidence will continue to stumble without urgent action. The British Retail Consortium (BRC), which represents top retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer, has urged the Chancellor to tackle the “triple blow” [...]
Ryanair tells Burnham: Slash taxes or we’ll cut UK flights

September 23, 2026

The boss of Ryanair has warned Andy Burnham that the budget airline will cut its flight capacity in the UK if the government refuses to drop plans for a “double tax” on tourists. Michael O’Leary, chief executive of the Dublin-based carrier, has accused the government of planning to tax tourists twice, with mayors set to [...]
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 [...]
RAC slams brakes on blockbuster London IPO

September 22, 2026

The RAC has slammed the brakes on its £5bn London listing in favour of a private deal, landing another blow against the UK’s ailing public markets. Britain’s oldest breakdown recovery service has begun working on a deal which would see private equity backer CVC Capital Partners remain a major investor while other shareholders exit the [...]
Premier Inn owner Whitbread faces board pressure from activist investor

September 22, 2026

Premier Inn owner Whitbread is facing pressure to hand a board seat to an influential activist investor after it voiced “growing concern” with the firm’s turnaround plans. The FTSE 100 hospitality giant said in April it would slash thousands of jobs and sell off all of its restaurants in a bid to keep up with [...]
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 [...]

Britain’s oldest brewery unveils £15m plan to move to new site

England captain Itoje lands Snoop Dogg-linked sponsorship deal

Lamborghini Urus SE Performante SUV review: Excess all areas

By: Felix Armstrong

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