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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Hugh Osmond-backed restaurant group snaps up pubs to launch new brand

March 6, 2026

The restaurant group backed by British businessman Hugh Osmond has bought four pubs for more than £11m as it launches a new brand. London-listed Various Eateries has bought the four sites – in the Cotswolds, Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire – from Grosvenor Pubs and Inns for £11.5m. The group said “premium” pubs with rooms remain [...]
Fish and chip shops under threat as Iran war spikes energy prices

March 6, 2026

Britain’s beloved fish and chip shops could go under as they brace for the boom in energy and import costs caused by the Iran war, an industry leader has warned. Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), told City AM chippie owners across the country are expecting the conflict to add [...]
Matalan gets £25m investment boost for store upgrades

March 6, 2026

Clothing retailer Matalan has secured a £25m funding boost from its investors despite facing falling revenue and job losses last year, City AM can reveal. The firm’s core investor group – Invesco, Tresidor, Man Group and Napier Park – have committed the funding to accelerate the retailer’s plans to revamp its stores. The funding boost [...]
House prices rise as property market builds momentum

March 6, 2026

House prices grew 1.3 per cent year on year to February, in the strongest growth in four months, as the property market continues its steady start to the year. Prices rose by 0.3 per cent between January and February, with the average UK property price at a new high of £301,151, according to Halifax’s house [...]
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 [...]
Oxford Street regeneration a complex undertaking for City Hall

March 5, 2026

The centrepiece of shopping in the capital is set for a major makeover, after London mayor Sadiq Khan set out his long-mooted plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street on Wednesday. The plan will transform the makeup of central London and bring huge opportunities for retailers, but the proposal – particularly its computer-generated elements – leave plenty [...]
Exclusive: Frasers Group acquires stake in athletic giant Puma

March 5, 2026

Frasers Group has taken a stake in athletic giant Puma, City AM can reveal. Retail giant Frasers has acquired 246,000 shares in the athletic group, according to German filings published on Thursday. Puma’s share price currently stands at €22.50, meaning this 5.77 per cent stake is worth more than €5.5m. Frasers Group, founded by British [...]
Estate agency Foxtons says ‘government-driven’ costs harming bottom line

March 5, 2026

Leading estate agency Foxtons has hit out at the “strain” caused by national insurance and minimum wage hikes as it contends with a “challenging” market. The firm said “government-driven” pressures are harming its bottom line, as revenue growth was “offset” by increased external costs. The Labour government is facing increasing pressure from business to address [...]
Taylor Wimpey profit halves as Budget impacts sales

March 5, 2026

The UK’s third-largest house builder saw its profits halve last year due to the cost of fire safety regulations and a regulatory settlement with the competition watchdog. Taylor Wimpey’s profit plummeted by 54 per cent to £146.5m despite revenue growing by 13 per cent to £3.8bn, in the financial year to December 2025. The group [...]
Labour warned it could miss housing targets over tax burden on sector

March 4, 2026

A leading construction industry body has warned the Labour government could miss its ambitious house building target as employment costs and tax burdens build pressure on the sector. The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), which represents more than 2,000 firms providing critical machinery and expertise to the industry, told City AM Labour will fail to meet [...]

Labour workers rights reforms could backfire for young workers

Women’s Super League fans spend more on matchdays than Premier League counterparts

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival to drive millions into Scotch sector

By: Felix Armstrong

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