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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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 [...]
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). [...]
‘Less allegation’: Brewdog hits out at former owners

September 21, 2026

Brewdog’s new owners have sought to distance the company from its founders James Watt and Martin Dickie with a new campaign that pledges the controversial brewer will be “run properly” and attract a “little less allegation”. The craft beer firm, which is now owned by US cannabis firm Tilray, has launched a multi-million pound campaign [...]
Property tax uncertainty causes London luxury rents to soar

September 21, 2026

Uncertainty over how the government might shake up property taxes at next month’s Budget is contributing to huge increases in the cost of renting a luxury house in London. Luxury property experts said fears that Andy Burnham could crack down on high-value homes, along with an influx of demand from the US and the Middle [...]
JD Sports launches in Mexico amid North American slowdown

September 21, 2026

JD Sports has announced plans to open more than 140 shops in Mexico, as the ‘King of Trainers’ battles to halt falling sales and move on from a recent boardroom bust-up. The FTSE 100 retailer said it has reached an agreement with Axo, a Mexico-based retail distributor, to operate its stores in the country. JD [...]
As it happened: US stocks make gains ahead of Trump-Xi summit

September 21, 2026

Welcome back to City AM’s FTSE 100 liveblog. The UK’s blue-chip index made gains on Monday morning, turning a corner from heavy losses on Friday. Miners and industrial stocks like Anglo American, Antofagasta and Metlen Energy and Metals were among the FTSE 100’s biggest risers on Monday morning. BP and Shell dragged on the index, [...]
HSBC to lose £17m in Brewdog collapse

September 18, 2026

HSBC is set to lose out on more than £17m as part of the administration of Brewdog, the craft beer firm which was sold to a US cannabis group earlier this year. The bank is set to suffer a shortfall of £16.8m from its debts to the collapsed brewer while its Equipment Finance arm is [...]
Next boss Wolfson tells Healey: ‘You can’t spend your way out of a crisis’

September 17, 2026

Lord Wolfson, Next’s chief executive, has urged Chancellor John Healey to cut spending at next month’s Budget, warning, “you can’t spend your way out of a funding crisis”. The retail boss has urged the government to clamp down on spending, avoid further tax hikes and slash planning red tape to boost economic growth. He told [...]

Burnham opens door to rejoining EU as he rips into Brexit

PFA boss Molango hints at footballer strike if Fifa competition expansion persists

Soho House founder’s new hotel could rebirth central London nightlife

By: Felix Armstrong

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