![[ TOMORROW ] State of Retail 2026: From Insight to Execution](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://www.theretailbulletin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/uipath-press-may26-scaled.jpg)
[ TOMORROW ] State of Retail 2026: From Insight to Execution
Retail executives face accelerating demand volatility, margin pressure, and the need for real‑time pricing, inventory, and merchandising decisions. Many still rely on fragmented data and manual workflows, slowing insight delivery. UiPath’s upcoming webinar, featuring Catherine Frame and Ali Galasso, will dissect these challenges and showcase how unified data and AI can shift retailers from insight to execution. Attendees will learn practical tactics to detect hidden demand loss, benchmark best‑in‑class data practices, and scale AI beyond pilot projects.
Games Workshop Appoints Neil Tomlinson as Chief Operating Officer
Games Workshop announced that Neil Tomlinson, currently its group operations director, will assume the chief operating officer role on 31 May 2026. Tomlinson joins the company from senior retail positions at Sainsbury’s, Argos, Walmart Global Sourcing and a seven‑year stint at...
M&S Acquires Former ASOS Distribution Centre in Transformation Push
Marks & Spencer has agreed to purchase a 437,000‑square‑foot fully automated distribution centre in Lichfield, formerly used by ASOS. The hub, expected to employ around 600 staff, will join M&S’s logistics network by 2027. The move underpins the retailer’s ambition...
Footfall Declines by 10.7% in April Amid Middle East Conflict
UK retail footfall fell 10.7% year‑on‑year in April, reversing a 2.4% gain in March. Shopping centres recorded the steepest drop at 10.1%, while high streets and retail parks slipped 9.2% and 9% respectively. All four nations saw declines, with Wales...
Conversation with Paul Cowley: The Business Case for Giving Ex-Offenders a Second Chance
The Second Chance Partnership, founded by Paul Cowley with Iceland Foods, places ex‑offenders into guaranteed retail jobs before release. Over 700 job offers have been made, with about 500 currently employed at Iceland, and partners now include GXO and Two...
Bath & Body Works to Make East Midlands Debut
Bath & Body Works is opening its first East Midlands store in Nottingham’s Victoria Centre. The 1,700‑square‑foot shop occupies a lower‑mall unit and joins existing tenants such as Victoria’s Secret, Rituals and Levi’s. The move is part of the brand’s...
ProCook Launches Trade Division
ProCook is launching a dedicated trade division to serve business customers, giving them access to the brand's full kitchen and dining portfolio. The move responds to rising demand from residential and hospitality operators seeking a reliable, one‑stop supplier. To drive...
Hamleys Expands in Travel Market with New Stores in Liverpool Street and Heathrow T2
Hamleys is expanding its travel‑retail footprint with a 500‑square‑foot pop‑up at London’s Liverpool Street Station and a 1,000‑square‑foot permanent shop in Heathrow Terminal 2, both slated to open this summer. The new locations will showcase the brand’s classic plush bears, travel‑friendly...
Building Ethical Benefits that Work for Everyone
The Retail Solutions UK article highlights a widening gap between employer perception and employee satisfaction with benefits, noting that two‑thirds of firms think staff value perks while only one‑fifth of employees agree. Generational data shows 64% of Gen Z feel their...
How to Track Stock in Real Time
Retailers still struggle to know exactly what is on the shelf despite advanced forecasting and automated replenishment. In the US, 78% of shoppers report out‑of‑stock items, and in the UK one in five trips includes a missing product, costing billions...
Conversation with Liz Jewitt-Cross: The Case for HR at the Top Table
Liz Jewitt‑Cross, founder and MD of Future HR, argues that HR must move from a transactional role to a true commercial partner within retail. Drawing on decades of experience at brands like Sainsbury’s and New Look, she emphasizes holistic system...
JYSK to Open up to 100 Stores in Major European Cities
JYSK, the Danish furniture and home‑ware chain, will roll out up to 100 new stores in central European capitals and large cities over the next three years. The first 30 locations, each about 800 sqm, are slated to open before the...
World Retail Congress in Berlin Review – Where AI and People Collided
At the World Retail Congress in Berlin, executives emphasized that AI can drive operational excellence, but the human element—store managers and frontline staff—remains the key differentiator for growth and loyalty. Leaders from Unilever, Pandora, Coach and Sephora highlighted how AI...
The UK Market Landscape: A Lifestyle Brand’s Strategic Goldmine
The UK’s retail and e‑commerce ecosystem is a strategic goldmine for lifestyle brands, with digital adoption near‑universal and online sales accounting for one‑third of total retail. The market is projected to hit $229 bn by 2030, and December 2025 alone saw $19 bn...
Superdrug Launches New Health Training to Meet Demand for Advice From Customers
Superdrug has introduced a Level 3 equivalent Healthcare Ambassador Accreditation across 75 stores to deepen staff expertise in health advice. The program responds to research showing two‑thirds of customers view retailers as important health partners and 65 % want more in‑store guidance....
From Dynamic to Defensible Pricing: Why the Shelf Edge Is Now Retail’s Most Important Interface
Retailers are shifting from simple dynamic pricing to defensible pricing, using the shelf edge as the primary interface for price justification. Regulatory pressure in Europe and heightened consumer scrutiny demand transparent, trustworthy promotions. Digital shelf‑edge technology enables real‑time, contextual communication...
McDonald’s Appoints Stephen Graham as Voice of Brand
McDonald’s UK and Ireland have named actor Stephen Graham as the new voice of the brand, succeeding long‑time narrator Dexter Fletcher. Graham’s voice will debut across fresh advertising spots for the McCrispy sandwich, the Big Arch promotion, Breakfast Done Properly and...
Q&A: Abbas Tolouee & David Bailey, Arvato
Arvato, a global 3PL and e‑commerce supply‑chain partner, is scaling its UK footprint with new automation and AI‑driven tools. The company recently upgraded its Hams Hall warehouse with an AutoStore system, boosting capacity by over 30% and picking speed by 53%,...
Frasers Group Rides to Rescue of Frog Bikes
Frasers Group announced the acquisition of children’s bicycle brand Frog Bikes, which entered administration earlier this year. The deal follows a sales process managed by FRP Advisory that attracted multiple offers. Frog Bikes, founded in 2013, has sold more than...
Mango to Open 10 New Stores in Turkey
Mango, the Spanish fast‑fashion chain, will open around ten new stores in Turkey during 2026, raising its total to 80 points of sale. The rollout targets Istanbul and Ankara and includes the renovation of five existing locations. The expansion is...
Halfords Annual Profit to Be at Upper End of Expectations
Halfords expects its FY26 underlying pre‑tax profit to land at the top of the consensus range, roughly $45‑$51 million, driven by margin expansion and disciplined cost management. Group like‑for‑like sales grew 4.8%, with retail up 4.1%, motoring 2.9%, cycling 6.4% and...
H&M Opens First Store in Rio De Janeiro
H&M opened its first Rio de Janeiro store at the Riosul shopping centre, expanding its Brazilian footprint after a São Paulo location and a local e‑commerce launch in 2025. CEO Daniel Ervér called Rio a key step in the brand’s Latin...
The White Company Chief Executive to Step Down
Paula Nickolds, chief executive of The White Company, announced she will step down at the end of May to care for her seriously ill husband. Nickolds, who joined in 2024 after senior roles at Sainsbury’s and John Lewis, has led the...
Loyalty Just Got Personal
Retailers are racing to overhaul loyalty programmes, focusing on real‑time personalization driven by data and AI. Tesco’s Clubcard, long praised for its data‑rich offers, topped the 2026 Retail Loyalty Index, outpacing rivals such as Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer. Boots...
Go Outdoors Brings Back Billy the Bird in New ‘Discover Freedom’ Campaign
Go Outdoors has rolled out a new TV and digital advertising campaign that brings back its parakeet mascot, Billy the Bird, as the face of the "Discover Freedom" brand platform. The spot, voiced by actor Will Mellor, showcases roof tents, outdoor...
Supporting Families at the Heart of the Fashion Retail and Textile Sector
Anna Pangbourne, CEO of the Fashion&Textile Children’s Trust, discussed how the charity, founded in 1853, continues to support families of workers in the UK fashion and textile sector. The Trust delivers practical grants—often within three weeks—to address urgent needs such...
Myprotein Teams up with Footasylum on High Street Activewear Launch
Myprotein has entered the high‑street arena by placing its MP activewear line in seven Footasylum stores across the UK, including flagship locations such as Oxford Street and Manchester Arndale. The collection, which spans hoodies, leggings, shorts and sports bras, targets...
M&S to Expand Low Emission Heavy Goods Vehicle Fleet
Marks & Spencer plans to expand its low‑emission heavy‑goods vehicle fleet by increasing its biomethane‑powered trucks to over 300 units by March 2027. The bio‑CNG trucks emit up to 85% less CO₂ than conventional diesel trucks, supporting M&S’s Plan A Net Zero...
Retail Is in Execution Mode: Five Trends Shaping NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show Europe
Retail is moving from debate to execution, as NRF 2026’s "The Next Now" theme pushes retailers to scale AI, data and omnichannel capabilities. A 2026 NRF study shows 48% of retailers see stronger engagement via conversational AI and 37% report...
Retail Technology Show Review – Differentiating Through People and Technology
The Retail Technology Show in London highlighted how retailers are racing to embed advanced technology while keeping people at the core of the experience. Executives from Currys, Matalan, Holland & Barrett and Marks & Spencer discussed rapid AI adoption, data‑driven...
The Last Mile Reputation Gap
Retailers have focused on checkout speed and product content, neglecting the post‑purchase journey, creating a "last mile reputation gap" between promised and actual delivery experiences. Customers now judge brands on reliability, transparency, and how exceptions are handled, not merely on...
Sainsbury’s in Discussions with Tu Clothing Team Ahead of Potential Restructure
Sainsbury’s is holding early‑stage talks with staff in its Tu Clothing division about operational changes that could result in job cuts. The review targets buying and merchandising functions, with the possibility of new roles emerging as some positions are removed....
Whole Foods Market Opens Liverpool Street Store as Part of London Growth Plan
Whole Foods Market opened a 3,315‑square‑foot store at 4b‑5 Blomfield Street, Liverpool Street, targeting commuters and City workers with a grab‑and‑go format. The shop offers fresh produce, ready‑to‑eat meals, bakery items and self‑serve coffee. The launch is the first of six...
H&M Appoints Former Inditex Executive as Chief Information Officer
H&M announced the appointment of Diego Teijeiro Ruiz, a veteran of Inditex, as its new chief information officer effective May 25. Ruiz spent two decades at the Spanish fast‑fashion giant, most recently serving as global chief data and analytics officer. He will report...
WHSmith Reports Profit Fall Amid Middle East Uncertainty
WHSmith posted a 5% revenue increase to £748 million ($957 million) in the first half, driven by a 22% jump in U.S. travel‑essentials sales, but profit before tax collapsed to £3 million ($3.8 million) from £21 million ($27 million) a year earlier. The company cited airport...
OKA to Extend North West Reach with First John Lewis Concession
Premium interiors brand OKA will open its first concession inside John Lewis Liverpool in June 2026, showcasing a curated selection in‑store while offering a broader catalogue of 200 products on johnlewis.com. The move extends OKA’s limited presence in the North West and...
West Elm and Pottery Barn to Expand UK Presence with John Lewis Rollout
West Elm and Pottery Barn, both owned by Williams Sonoma, will roll out concessions inside multiple John Lewis stores across the UK this year, starting with locations in Glasgow, Liverpool and the Peter Jones flagship in London’s Sloane Square. The move follows Pottery...
JD Sports Chair Andy Higginson to Step Down
JD Sports announced that chairman Andy Higginson will step down after the July AGM, ending a four‑year tenure that coincided with a governance overhaul and accelerated international growth. Higginson will be succeeded on an interim basis by independent director Darren...
Waterstones Owner Plots Bank Appointments Ahead of Potential £2bn Float
Private equity firm Elliott Management is preparing a £2 billion (≈$2.5 billion) initial public offering for its UK bookseller Waterstones on the London Stock Exchange. Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley are among the banks being considered for lead and advisory roles,...
Losing at Checkout? Fix Delivery Choice in Minutes – Webinar
E‑commerce teams can change pricing and campaigns within minutes, yet delivery options at checkout often lag weeks behind. A new nShift webinar promises to cut that delay, showing how to update delivery rules, pricing and arrival estimates in minutes. The...
MKM Launches First Mobile App for Trade Customers and DIYers
UK building‑materials distributor MKM has rolled out its first mobile application, targeting both trade professionals and DIY shoppers. Developed entirely in‑house, the app lets users browse local branch inventory, view branch‑specific pricing, assemble baskets and pay invoices, with biometric login...
American Golf Launches New Campaign as UK Golf Interest Surges
American Golf has rolled out the "We’re Obsessed Too" brand campaign to ride a wave of rising golf interest across the UK. Glimpse data shows beginner‑course searches jumped 551% year‑on‑year and "beginner golf" queries rose 36% in the last month,...
From the Archive: Boo.com
Boo.com launched in 1999 with a suite of cutting‑edge features—virtual‑reality advisors, multi‑currency checkout, seven‑language sites, and rotating 3D models—backed by $120 million in funding and a $500 million valuation. The site went live on 4 November 1999 but crashed under the strain of...
UiPath’s Next Chapter in Retail: From Peak’s AI Heritage to Agentic Merchandising at Scale
UiPath’s acquisition of Peak in March 2025 brings a decade of retail AI expertise into its automation platform, enabling what the company calls "agentic AI" – AI that not only predicts but also executes merchandising decisions. The combined solution links demand...
Waitrose Moves Into Airport Travel Retail with Heathrow Launch
Waitrose is entering airport travel retail through a wholesale partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail, which operates the Relay brand. Four Relay stores in Heathrow Terminal 2 will stock Waitrose food‑to‑go items, with three airside and one landside location slated to open...
Tesco Switches From Barcodes to QR Codes in ‘Revolutionary’ Move
Tesco announced it will replace traditional barcodes with QR codes on packaging for 13 own‑brand sausage lines, describing the shift as a revolutionary retail improvement. The QR codes give shoppers instant access to nutrition facts, traceability data, recipes and promotional...
Crew Clothing Opens Barnard Castle Store as Part of Market Town Expansion
Crew Clothing launched a 750‑square‑foot flagship in Barnard Castle, marking its first northern market‑town location. The store showcases the brand’s country‑and‑coastal collections, from rugby shirts to knitwear. Expansion follows successful southern town outlets and complements existing northern sites in Northallerton,...
Dunelm Warns that Full Year Profit Will Be at Lower End of Market Expectations
Dunelm warned its full‑year pre‑tax profit will land at the lower end of market forecasts, targeting £210‑£217 million (about $269‑$278 million). The retailer posted a 2.1% rise in third‑quarter sales to £472 million (~$604 million) and a 3.1% year‑to‑date increase to £1.4 billion (~$1.79 billion). Gross...
Executive Workshop: Modernising Supply Chains with AI
HSO is hosting a "Modernising Supply Chains with AI + Agents" executive workshop on 9 July 2026 at Microsoft’s London campus. The event targets supply‑chain and operations leaders who struggle to locate practical AI use cases—39 % of UK firms report this gap. Over a...
Tesco Beats Profit Target but Warns of Middle East Impact
Tesco reported adjusted operating profit of £3.15 billion (≈$4.0 billion) for the year to 28 Feb, surpassing the £2.9‑£3.1 billion forecast, while revenue rose 5.4% to £73.7 billion (≈$93.6 billion). Like‑for‑like sales in the UK and Ireland grew 4.2%, driven by fresh‑food strength and a 5.2%...