Recent Posts
News•Feb 27, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Amid Concerns About Personal Finances
Consumer confidence in the UK slipped in February, with GfK’s index falling three points to –19. The personal‑finance outlook dropped to a score of 2, matching last year’s level, while the major‑purchase index declined to –14. Inflation is easing but price pressures remain, prompting households to prioritize daily expenses over larger buys. Unemployment has risen to its highest level in nearly five years, heightening job‑security concerns, especially among lower‑income earners.
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 27, 2026
Asda Accelerates Plans to Rebrand Ten Asda Living Shops to George
Asda is accelerating the rebranding of ten Asda Living stores into standalone George fashion and homeware locations. The next site, in Peterborough, will open on 12 March, following successful pilots in Leeds and Hull launched in 2025. The new George store...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 27, 2026
Superdrug Adds Made by Mitchell to Its Range
Superdrug has added the social‑media‑born Made by Mitchell Cosmetics to its in‑store and online assortment. Founded by professional makeup artist Mitchell Halliday, the brand is known for high‑impact, multi‑use makeup. The Superdrug collection launches five exclusive products, such as Head...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 26, 2026
Sofa Club Appoints Stephanie Rackley to Head up Marketing
Sofa Club, the online furniture retailer, has appointed Stephanie Rackley as its group marketing director. Rackley previously served as a marketing consultant and social media strategist at Caroline Gardner, and held senior roles at Medik8, Bare Minerals and Champneys. In...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 26, 2026
Aldi to Raise Pay for Second Time This Year
Aldi announced a second pay rise for its UK store staff effective 1 April 2026, boosting hourly wages to £13.50 nationally and £14.88 within the M25, with higher rates for longer service. The increase covers more than 28,000 hourly‑paid colleagues and follows...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 26, 2026
EG Group to Divest French Operations
EG Group announced it will sell its French operating business, including 260 convenience and fuel sites, to co‑founder Zuber Issa’s vehicle EG On Move via a put option. The divestiture follows a staged exit that began with the sale of...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 26, 2026
Co-Op Appoints Andy Wilmot as Group Supply Chain and Logistics Director
Co‑op announced the appointment of Andy Wilmot as group supply chain and logistics director, effective April 2026. Wilmot, a veteran of A.F. Blakemore and DHL, replaces Derek Furnival, who is retiring after three decades. The hire is positioned to accelerate Co‑op’s operational...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 25, 2026
Rebuilding Retail in 2026: Why CDO Retail Exchange Arrives at a Critical Turning Point
The CDO Retail Exchange 2026 brochure has launched as UK and EMEA retailers move from experimental pilots to commercially‑driven data and AI initiatives. After two years of proof‑of‑concept projects, retailers are demanding measurable ROI on pricing, replenishment, personalization and loyalty programs....
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 25, 2026
The Rise of Contactless Payments in Retail Post-Pandemic
Contactless payment adoption has accelerated in retail since the pandemic, driven by consumer demand for safety and speed. NFC cards and mobile wallets are now standard, prompting retailers to upgrade POS terminals and train staff. These investments have cut cash‑handling...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 25, 2026
Victorian Plumbing Announces Change of Leadership as Founder CEO Prepares to Step Down
Victorian Plumbing announced that founder‑CEO Mark Radcliffe will step down and move to a non‑executive director role, with group managing director Stephnie Judge taking over as chief executive on 1 April 2026. Judge, who joined the company in 2013, is credited...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 25, 2026
Clarks Managing Director of EMEA Exits the Business
Olivier Motteau, Clarks' managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, announced his departure after nearly four years at the helm. He joined the historic footwear brand in February 2022, bringing senior experience from New Balance, Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 25, 2026
Zadig & Voltaire Appoints Dan Sablon as Creative Director
Zadig & Voltaire has named Dan Sablon as its new creative director. Sablon, formerly fashion director at Lui, culture director‑at‑large for Vogue France, and former womenswear designer for Marc Jacobs, also collaborated on Carhartt and Fenty × Puma projects. Founder Thierry Gillier...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 24, 2026
IKEA to Open a Decathlon in Its Croydon Store
Swedish furniture giant IKEA is piloting a partnership with French sports retailer Decathlon by opening a standalone Decathlon shop inside its Croydon store this spring. The 1,188‑square‑metre unit will feature a dedicated entrance and more than 5,000 items across hiking,...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 24, 2026
Sephora UK to Open New Small Format Store in London’s West End
Sephora UK will launch a 4,400 sq ft boutique on London’s Carnaby Street, marking its first West End presence. The store features 2,600 sq ft of trading space, a distinctive façade, and a curated product mix aimed at speed and expertise. It will incorporate...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
News•Feb 24, 2026
Complaints From Fashion Shoppers Surge
Citizens Advice logged nearly 18,000 fashion‑related complaints in 2025, a 21% jump from the previous year. Online orders generated 82% of the grievances, while women’s apparel accounted for almost half of all issues. The most common problems were faulty goods,...
By The Retail Bulletin (UK)