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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Ocado to replace founder Steiner as shares plunge

June 22, 2026

The board of Ocado is on the hunt for a successor to its founder and chief executive, Tim Steiner, as the e-commerce group faces up to a rapidly falling share price. The FTSE 250 firm, which offers online shopping and warehouse automation services, confirmed on Monday that it is putting together a succession plan for [...]
Castlelake urges Easyjet investors to back £4.7bn takeover bid

June 22, 2026

Private equity firm Castlelake is calling on investors in Easyjet to lobby the budget airline to accept its third takeover offer, after the FTSE 250 carrier slapped down its latest bid over the weekend. The bidder said on Monday that Easyjet has rejected three successive takeover bids and criticised the airline for its “unwillingness to [...]
Iran to close Strait of Hormuz as Trump threatens toll

June 21, 2026

Iran’s top military command has said it will shut the Strait of Hormuz in response to alleged violations of the ceasefire agreement despite President Trump’s threats to impose a toll if the stretch of water is closed off. The Iranian leadership said the crucial shipping passage will be closed to vessel traffic as the “first [...]
Government to take on big tech in bid to boost British news

June 20, 2026

The government is preparing to force social media platforms to boost the presence of British news providers to counter misinformation, in a move likely to ruffle the feathers of big tech firms. Ministers are preparing to consult on rules which would require platforms like YouTube and Meta to make UK news sites like the BBC, [...]
Would a £10bn VAT cut really save hospitality?

June 20, 2026

Calls for the government to slash VAT on hospitality firms have been backed by pub and restaurant bosses, and Prime Minister hopeful Andy Burnham. What would this tax break really mean for the economy? The UK’s pubs, hotels and restaurants say they are at breaking point. Higher business rates, hikes to national insurance and minimum [...]
Economic benefit of Heathrow expansion slashed by 90 per cent

June 20, 2026

Heathrow’s third runway could boost the UK economy by just 0.05 per cent, a 90 per cent loss of the economic benefit that had been previously forecast. The expansion of the UK’s biggest airport will boost GDP by 0.05 per cent at best but this impact could be as little as 0.3 per cent, government [...]
‘No authority’: Starmer under pressure to quit after Burnham wins in Makerfield

June 20, 2026

Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh calls to quit from his own cabinet and a Labour peer after Andy Burnham’s triumph at the Makerfield by-election. Lord Falconer, a former justice secretary under Tony Blair, became the latest Labour figure to call for the Prime Minister to step down, saying he has “absolutely no authority”. Burnham’s [...]
Intertek to quit FTSE 100 after agreeing £11bn EQT takeover

June 18, 2026

FTSE 100 giant Intertek has agreed to an £11bn takeover by Swedish buyout firm EQT, triggering the latest high-profile departure from the London Stock Exchange. The testing and assurance company said on Thursday that it has agreed to the £60 per share offer, valuing the deal at £9.5bn, or £10.9bn including debt. The agreement seals [...]
Halfords eyes garage growth after wheels fall off cycling boom

June 18, 2026

Retail and autocentre giant Halfords will deliver its full-year results next week, hoping to deliver sustained growth after a Covid-era bike boom. Felix Armstrong profiles the FTSE stalwart Head to the very back of a Halfords store, snaking your way round the air fresheners, tents, brake fluid and torches, and you will find the bike [...]
Whitbread food sales slump after revealing exit from restaurant arm

June 18, 2026

Whitbread has seen food and drink sales slump after it revealed its divisive decision to sell its restaurants and pivot to a hotels-only business. The Premier Inn owner said food and drink sales fell by five per cent to £148m in the three months to the end of May, compared to a three per cent [...]

Oxford Street pedestrianisation brings ‘staggering’ shopping boost

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By: Felix Armstrong

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