Lidl snaps up market share as rival Aldi stalls October 13, 2026 Lidl is the fastest-growing grocer in the UK, new figures suggest, as the discount supermarket grabs more market share while its rivals stall. The German discounter held 8.6 per cent of the UK’s grocer market in the 12 weeks to October, according to Worldpanel by Numerator, up from 8.2 per cent a year ago. This [...]
Retail sales ‘sluggish’ as shoppers feel cautious ahead of Budget October 13, 2026 British retail sales showed “sluggish” growth last month as shoppers became increasingly cautious ahead of the Autumn Budget. Total sales at retailers increased by 1.3 per cent in the 12 months to September, compared to 2.3 per cent growth in September 2025, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Big Four giant KPMG. The [...]
HMV shuts flagship Oxford Street store just three years after comeback October 12, 2026 HMV is set to close its flagship Oxford Street store just three years after its comeback to the location where it was founded more than a century ago. The music and entertainment retailer said the site will shut its doors in March next year, blaming a doubled rent bill and the cost of “substantial” renovations. [...]
Britain’s biggest bingo chain explores sale despite tax raid threat October 11, 2026 The owner of the UK’s biggest bingo hall operator is exploring a sale of the company, even as gambling bosses warn a huge tax raid could threaten the industry. Asset manager ICG has appointed bankers to advise on discussions with potential buyers for Buzz Bingo, it is understood. The Nottingham-based chain is looking for a [...]
Retailers suffer ‘sharp decline’ in footfall October 9, 2026 Retail footfall took a dive in September as shoppers stayed away from shopping centres, prompting calls for the Chancellor to slash taxes for high street firms. In September, the UK’s total retail footfall fell by 2.9 per cent, far worse than the 1.7 per cent decline recorded in the month prior, according to the British [...]
Ascensia Announces Strategic Partnership with Sava for Innovative Microsensor Technology October 9, 2026 Ascensia Diabetes Care, a global diabetes care company and subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (TYO 6523), today announced a strategic partnership with venture-backed health technology startup Sava Technologies to support the introduction and future commercialization of its innovative wearable microsensor. The partnership comprises an exclusive commercialization and distribution agreement, initially in Europe, and a concurrent [...]
FCA eyes 90-day redemption rule on illiquid funds to end mass withdrawals October 8, 2026 The UK’s financial watchdog has proposed changes to retail investment fund rules in a bid to reduce the risk of rushed asset sales during market volatility. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) floated a minimum 90-day notice period for investors withdrawing from long-term investment funds holding illiquid assets such as infrastructure and private equity, in its [...]
Tesco urges Healey to slash ‘fundamentally unfair’ business rates October 8, 2026 The boss of Tesco has urged John Healey to reform the “fundamentally unfair” business rates system and avoid a so-called warehouse tax. Ken Murphy, chief executive of the UK’s biggest grocer, has become the latest retail industry figure to urge the Chancellor to cut taxes on high street businesses, as Andy Burnham pledges a revival [...]
Billionaire Weston family buys Boots for $9bn October 7, 2026 The billionaire Weston family has struck a deal to buy Boots for nearly $9bn, scuppering hopes that the high street giant could return to the London Stock Exchange. Wittington Investments, the holding company for the Westons’ Canadian operations, said on Wednesday it will buy Boots from its private equity owners, Sycamore Partners. The deal brings [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers builds stakes in Burberry and Under Armour October 7, 2026 Frasers Group, the retail empire founded by Mike Ashley, has taken a stake in athleisure giant Under Armour and built up its holding in fashion house Burberry. The London-listed conglomerate, which owns Sports Direct and Flannels, has pushed up its position in the FTSE 100 fashion brand from 4.2 to 6.3 per cent of the [...]