The Retail Bulletin
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UK retail news and industry events coverage.
Recent Posts
Deals•Feb 16, 2026
The Very Group Secures £150 Million Long‑term Debt Financing with Carlyle
The Very Group extended its UK securitisation facility and renewed a £150 million super‑senior revolving credit facility, securing long‑term funding to 2029‑2030 with backing from Carlyle, its controlling shareholder. The deal reduces overall debt by £150 million and lowers coupon rates, positioning the retailer for growth.
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Deals•Feb 6, 2026
Waitrose Acquires Hersham Green Shopping Centre to Secure Store’s Future
Waitrose announced it has purchased the freehold of the 54,000‑sq‑ft Hersham Green Shopping Centre in Surrey, securing the future of its 27,000‑sq‑ft store that has been operating for two decades. The acquisition makes Waitrose the landlord of the centre’s 16...
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Deals•Jan 28, 2026
Gordon Brothers Acquires LK Bennett Brand Out of Administration
Gordon Brothers announced the acquisition of the British fashion label LK Bennett, which entered administration earlier this month. The firm plans to adopt an asset‑light model and explore go‑to‑market strategies to revitalize the heritage brand. Deal terms were not disclosed.
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News•Jan 26, 2026
Digital Wallets vs Traditional Payments: Which Drives Faster Checkouts?
UK payment habits in 2026 show digital wallets now used by 57% of adults, overtaking cash for everyday purchases. Contactless and mobile payments account for over half of in‑store card transactions, delivering faster checkout through biometric and tokenised authentication. Traditional...
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News•Jan 26, 2026
Conversation with… People in Retail Awards Judge Giles Smith
Former Selfridges digital head Giles Smith discusses his return as a judge for the People in Retail Awards. He emphasizes the importance of celebrating frontline employees and unsung innovators rather than solely focusing on commercial metrics. Smith, now a technology...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 26, 2026
SportsShoes.com to Open Flagship Experiential Store in Shoreditch
SportsShoes.com will launch its flagship experiential store, House of SportsShoes, on Shoreditch High Street in early March. The 5,000‑square‑foot venue blends digital‑first retail with a “no bags, no hassle” model, allowing shoppers to try over 100 running shoes and complete...
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News•Jan 26, 2026
Beauty Bay Appoints Advisors to Undertake Strategic Review
UK‑based online beauty retailer Beauty Bay has engaged advisory firm Interpath to conduct a strategic review. The review aims to explore fresh capital options, including attracting an investment partner or pursuing a sale. Sources say the process to secure new...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 26, 2026
French Connection Announces New US Licensing Partnership
French Connection Group has signed a long‑term licensing agreement with G‑III Apparel Group to develop and distribute its menswear, womenswear and accessories across North America, effective 1 February 2026. The partnership leverages G‑III’s design, sourcing and distribution capabilities and its established retail...
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News•Jan 26, 2026
N Brown Group Chief Customer Operations Officer Leaves the Business
N Brown Group’s chief customer operations officer, Clare Empson, announced her departure after two years in the role. Empson, who previously spent 24 years at Ted Baker, oversaw the launch of a new distribution centre and an enterprise‑wide efficiency system during her tenure. Her...
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News•Jan 26, 2026
The $42.8B Retail Media Playbook
Retail media generated $42.8 billion for Amazon in Q1 2025, driven by a server‑side ad serving architecture that delivers native ads without latency or privacy trade‑offs. The eBook outlines a modern retail media stack featuring sponsored products, zero‑impact loading, full reach, built‑in...
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News•Jan 26, 2026
The Future of Delivery: Key Trends Shaping 2026
Delivery logistics face a convergence of pressures in 2026, including AI-driven automation, stricter CO₂ emissions regulations, rising cross‑border demand, and the shift to zero‑emission fleets. Retailers and carriers must adapt to consumers who will abandon orders if delivery options are...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires US Family-Owned Retailer
Watches of Switzerland Group has bought an 88% stake in Deutsch & Deutsch, a family‑owned luxury watch and jewellery retailer operating four Texas showrooms. The acquisition, with an option to purchase the remaining shares, adds $67 million of annual revenue and expands...
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News•Jan 23, 2026
Retail Brand Monitoring: Protect Your Reputation
Retailers face instant brand reputation shifts as social media amplifies reviews, influencer posts, and viral content. Distinguishing brand monitoring (mention tracking) from reputation monitoring (sentiment and impact analysis) is essential for omnichannel consistency, product refinement, and crisis prevention. The article...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 23, 2026
Waterstones Enjoys Healthy Sales Both In-Store and Online
Waterstones reported a 7% sales increase to £565.6 million for the 53 weeks ending 3 May 2025, with like‑for‑like sales up 5%. Growth was broad‑based across regions and channels, driven by strong fiction titles and higher demand for stationery and children’s educational toys....
By The Retail Bulletin
Deals•Jan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Group Acquires 88% Stake in Deutsch & Deutsch
Watches of Switzerland Group announced the acquisition of an 88% stake in Deutsch & Deutsch, a family‑owned luxury watch and jewellery retailer operating four Texas showrooms. The deal includes an option to purchase the remaining shares, expanding Watches of Switzerland’s US...
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News•Jan 22, 2026
Morrisons Travel Launches in Partnership with Expedia
Morrisons has introduced Morrisons Travel, a new travel‑booking platform built with Expedia Group and accessible via Morrisons.com and the More app. The service lets shoppers reserve hotels, flights, car hire and activities while earning 10 More Points for every £1...
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News•Jan 22, 2026
Wickes Boosted by Strong Performance in TradePro
Wickes posted a 6.3% rise in half‑year revenue, powered by a 6.2% increase in retail sales and an 8% year‑on‑year jump in its TradePro channel. DIY sales delivered mid‑single‑digit growth as customer transactions climbed, while the Design & Installation division...
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News•Jan 22, 2026
B&M Issues Profit Warning
B&M reported a 2.9% rise in third‑quarter group revenue but issued a profit warning as near‑term earnings are pressured by strategic investments. UK revenue grew 1.9% while like‑for‑like sales slipped 0.6%, whereas the French operation posted 8.5% total revenue growth...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 22, 2026
B&Q to Launch New Trade-Exclusive Store Concept for TradePoint
B&Q will launch its first standalone TradePoint store in Barking next month, targeting trade professionals with a dedicated retail experience. The new concept complements B&Q’s ambition to grow TradePoint into a £1 billion business, after the segment posted a 6.9% sales...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 22, 2026
Merry Hill Hails ‘Record’ Performance in 2025
Merry Hill reported a record 2025 performance, with sales up 4.3% and footfall rising 5% year‑on‑year. The growth was driven by a £20 million asset‑management‑focused investment programme that added a 100,000‑sq‑ft M&S flagship and attracted new international retailers such as Apple...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 21, 2026
JD Sports Reports Mixed Christmas Trading Performance
JD Sports reported 1.4% organic sales growth in Q4, but its Christmas trading period saw a 1.8% decline in like‑for‑like sales. The dip was driven by a 5.3% fall in the UK and a 3.4% drop in Europe, while North...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 21, 2026
Currys Upgrades Profit Outlook After Strong Christmas Trading
Currys announced an upgraded profit outlook after its peak trading period, reporting a 6% like‑for‑like revenue increase. In the ten weeks to 10 January, UK‑Ireland revenue rose 3% while omnichannel sales jumped 11% year‑on‑year, and the Nordics saw a 12% revenue...
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Deals•Jan 21, 2026
Next Acquires Russell & Bromley in £2.5M Pre‑pack Administration Deal
Next has acquired the Russell & Bromley footwear retailer for £2.5 million via a pre‑pack administration, including the brand, intellectual property and three stores. The sale excludes 33 stores and nine concessions, which remain open under joint administrators. The transaction was...
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News•Jan 20, 2026
Klarna’s Stablecoin Bet: The First Real Test of Crypto-as-Infrastructure
Klarna announced the launch of its own stablecoin, KlaraUSD, on the Tempo blockchain, a payment‑focused network backed by Stripe and Paradigm. The initiative targets internal treasury and cross‑border settlements, aiming to cut transaction times from days to seconds and reduce...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 20, 2026
Schuh Appoints Chief Marketing Officer
Schuh has named Laura King as its new chief marketing officer, effective immediately. King brings two decades of brand and agency experience, including nine years at Wieden & Kennedy managing Nike and recent leadership roles at Accessorize and Urban Outfitters. She will...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 20, 2026
Comment: Overlook Older Shoppers at Your Peril
Retail and hospitality firms are overlooking older shoppers, even as the over‑65 population is set to double to 1.6 billion by 2050 and control a majority of discretionary spend. Older consumers are increasingly active on platforms like TikTok, where they favor...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 20, 2026
Knoops Boosted by Strong Christmas Sales Growth
Knoops reported a 12% increase in UK store‑for‑store sales over its six‑week Christmas trading window, keeping annual revenue on track to surpass £20 million. The retailer also announced a new production and warehousing facility and the appointment of former Game Group...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 20, 2026
Music Magpie Partners with Timpson on In-Store Smartphone Trade-Ins
Music Magpie, AO World’s recommerce arm, has teamed up with Timpson to roll out in‑store smartphone trade‑ins across more than 1,300 UK locations after a four‑month pilot. Customers can hand over their device, watch a live assessment and receive cash...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 19, 2026
Matalan Hails Strong Third Quarter Performance
Matalan reported a robust third‑quarter performance, with EBITDA climbing 38% to £27 million and year‑to‑date EBITDA up 53% to £61 million. Like‑for‑like sales rose 2% overall and digital sales surged 11% in the quarter, highlighted by its best Black Friday online day...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 19, 2026
WH Smith to Appoint Leo Quinn as Executive Chairman
WH Smith announced that former Balfour Beatty chief executive Leo Quinn will assume the role of executive chairman on 7 April, succeeding Annette Court who will step down after the AGM on 2 February. Simon Emeny will act as interim non‑executive chairman...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 19, 2026
Genesco Announces Strategic Transformation of IT Operations
Genesco, the owner of Schuh, announced a strategic overhaul of its IT operating model to boost speed, scalability and AI‑enabled innovation. The transformation is designed to align technology capabilities with the retailer’s new business model and support long‑term growth. Genesco...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 19, 2026
Represent Appoints Former Adidas Executive as Brand President for North America
Represent, the Manchester‑based men’s fashion label, has hired Jim Anfuso as its brand president for North America. Anfuso, who previously led commerce at Complex NTWRK and launched the Adidas Yeezy line, also held senior roles at Fox Racing and American Eagle....
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 19, 2026
Comment: Direct-to-Consumer Retail in 2026
Direct‑to‑Consumer (D2C) retail in 2026 is shifting from pure transactional models to relational commerce, where AI handles scale and humans deliver high‑emotion experiences. Trust has become the primary purchase driver, with 81% of shoppers needing brand confidence and referrals delivering...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 18, 2026
Liberty Appoints Managing Director of Retail
Liberty has promoted Lydia King to managing director of retail, effective immediately. King, who joined the iconic department store in December 2023 and became group buying and merchandising director in January 2025, brings extensive experience from senior buying roles at...
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News•Jan 18, 2026
Frasers Group Unifies Loyalty and Rewards Offering Under Frasers Plus
Frasers Group is consolidating its loyalty programmes by folding the Sports Direct Membership into its Frasers Plus platform, an FCA‑regulated credit account that spans the group’s portfolio and 16 partner retailers. The unified rewards system launches in February 2026, promising...
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News•Jan 16, 2026
IKEA Pilots Virtual Product Experience in Welcome to Bloxburg
IKEA is piloting a virtual product experience inside the Roblox game Welcome to Bloxburg, targeting players in Sweden and Australia. From 22 January to 5 February, shoppers can unlock iconic items like the Stockholm sofa and Elsystem rug through an in‑game pop‑up...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 16, 2026
Topshop Launches European Website
Topshop has unveiled a dedicated European e‑commerce site, eu.topshop.com, serving 23 EU markets. The Shopify‑powered platform offers the brand’s full range of denim, dresses, footwear and accessories, expanding beyond its previous presence on ASOS.com. Managing Director Michelle Wilson highlighted plans...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 16, 2026
British Heart Foundation Appoints Chief Commercial Officer
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has promoted Allison Swaine‑Hughes to chief commercial officer, consolidating oversight of its 680 retail stores, e‑commerce platforms, and new commercial ventures. Swaine‑Hughes brings over 30 years of senior retail experience, including roles at Gap and...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 15, 2026
WhatsApp Loyalty Programmes: The Future of Modern Retail
WhatsApp loyalty programmes are rapidly replacing traditional point‑based schemes as retailers tap into the platform’s 90% UK adult penetration and near‑instant open rates. By embedding rewards directly in a channel customers already use, retailers eliminate the friction of separate apps...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 15, 2026
Why Retail Brands Shouldn’t Overlook Corporate Sponsorships
Retailers are rediscovering corporate sponsorships as a strategic tool that complements digital advertising. By aligning with events, causes, or media partners, sponsors create authentic human connections that foster trust and credibility. When integrated with omnichannel campaigns, sponsorships amplify brand awareness,...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 15, 2026
Dunelm Reveals Subdued Second Quarter Trading
Dunelm reported a modest 1.6% rise in second‑quarter sales to £498 million, taking first‑half growth to 3.6% at £926 million. The retailer now expects full‑year pre‑tax profit to sit at the lower end of analysts’ forecasts, with first‑half profit projected around £112‑£114 million....
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 15, 2026
Very Group Reports ‘Resilient’ Christmas
The Very Group posted a "resilient" holiday season, with Very brand sales rising 1.9% over the six weeks to 27 December. Strong demand drove double‑digit growth in home (7.9%) and toys and beauty (6.4%). Black Friday saw a record 209,000 items...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 15, 2026
Pepco Group Posts 4.3% Q1 Revenue Growth
Pepco Group reported a 4.3 % increase in Q1 revenue, reaching €1.4 billion on a constant‑currency basis. The Pepco brand drove a 4.2 % revenue rise, while Dealz sales fell 7.7 % after operational disruptions linked to its re‑platforming. The retailer opened 51 net...
By The Retail Bulletin
![[Interview] Building for Where Retail Is Going? Sreeraman MG, Co-Founder Fynd](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://www.theretailbulletin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SMG-2.png)
News•Jan 15, 2026
[Interview] Building for Where Retail Is Going? Sreeraman MG, Co-Founder Fynd
Co‑founder Sreeraman MG outlines Fynd’s 2026 UK launch, positioning its AI‑native commerce layer as a plug‑in solution for mid‑market and enterprise retailers. The company will target fashion, beauty and grocery categories, tackling two core UK pain points: trustworthy cross‑channel attribution and...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 14, 2026
N Brown Group Appoints Natalie Rogers as Chief Operating Officer
N Brown Group has created a chief operating officer position and appointed Natalie Rogers, who has served as chief people and sustainability officer since 2024, to fill it. Rogers previously led people functions at Moonpig and Unum UK. The new role is...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 14, 2026
Conversation with… People in Retail Awards Judge Shane Ashby-Roche
Shane Ashby‑Roche, Head of Organisational Development and Culture at The White Company, returns as a judge for the 2026 People in Retail Awards. He reflects on a decade of L&D experience, including a two‑year IBM secondment, and how his role...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 14, 2026
Mulberry Grows Festive Sales as New Strategy Gains Traction
Mulberry reported a 5.1% rise in third‑quarter total sales and an 11% increase in like‑for‑like sales, driven by a 19% jump in full‑price transactions. The luxury brand saw growth across all regions, with the US up 12.7% and Europe up...
By The Retail Bulletin