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 boss: We were naive to accept orders but US firms should have worked harder

February 26, 2026

After its share price tumbled on Thursday morning, the boss of Ocado was given the chance to evade the blame for shuttered warehouses and job cuts. The retail tech group’s financial results set out easing losses and slowly climbing revenue. But it was the plans to cut 1,000 jobs – mostly at the company’s Hertfordshire [...]
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 [...]
Brits push down house prices to dodge mansion tax

February 26, 2026

House sellers are already pushing sale values below £2m in a bid to avoid the coming “mansion tax” on expensive homes. The high-value council tax surcharge (HVCTS) is not due to be implemented until April 2028 but estate agents Hamptons have found Brits are already taking steps to avoid the levy. The “mansion tax” charge [...]
Ocado shares tumble as boss warns of job cuts

February 26, 2026

The boss of online retailer Ocado has warned of “significant” job cuts after US retail giant Kroger pulled out of its automated warehouse partnerships, prompting shares to tumble. The group confirmed it has closed several warehouses in North America and warned that further job losses are to come as Ocado continues to “simplify” its model. [...]
John Lewis blames high costs as it axes build-to-rent venture

February 25, 2026

Retail giant John Lewis is to withdraw from its build-to-rent business in a shock U-turn on its diversification plans, after bemoaning high interest rates and a downturn in the London property market. John Lewis Partnership (JLP), which also owns Waitrose, took on management of around 1,000 homes in Bromley, West Ealing and Reading as part [...]
Microsoft hops on Lizzie line in search for new London HQ

February 25, 2026

Microsoft has hopped on the Elizabeth Line in its search for a new London headquarters, with the US tech giant eyeing up Paddington and Canary Wharf as potential homes. The tech firm needs upwards of 200,000 sq ft from its new office and is seeking advice from CBRE, according to the Financial Times. Office space [...]
Not-so-drastic Dave: Diageo boss defies expectations of slash-and-burn reign

February 25, 2026

‘Drastic Dave’ Lewis, who gained a reputation for cost-cutting and ruthless rationalisation during his time at Unilever and Tesco, was more ‘demure Dave’ when announcing Diageo’s first results of his tenure as chief executive. The spirits giant has been struggling in recent years, with its share price down 22 per cent year-on-year – and Lewis’ [...]
Weight-loss drugs to slow supermarket sales

February 25, 2026

Weight-loss drugs are set to slim down supermarket sales in the UK as more Brits opt for diet-conscious shopping, a City broker has warned. The growth rate of supermarket sales is expected to slow this year due to the increasing popularity of diet-suppressant jabs, population growth and falling food inflation, according to a note from [...]
Diageo slashes dividend as ‘Drastic Dave’ takes charge

February 25, 2026

Guinness maker Diageo has slashed its dividend as the cost-cutting regime of new chief executive ‘drastic’ Dave Lewis begins to take hold, prompting a share price spook. The board announced the “difficult” decision to cut its dividend to 20 cents to “accelerate the strengthening” of its balance sheet in its interim results, the first financial [...]
Third of London homes cheaper to buy than to rent as prices fall

February 25, 2026

More than a third of London homes are now cheaper to buy than to rent as house prices in the capital shrunk in the last year. The proportion of London houses which are cheaper to buy with a mortgage has doubled since last year, from 18 to 36 per cent, while still lower than the [...]

Labour to give firms cash in bid to undo benefits rise

KSI, Dagenham and Redbridge and the rise of the passion investor in sport

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival to drive millions into Scotch sector

By: Felix Armstrong

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