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• Hotel Chocolat opens two new stores in Chicago

  04-04-2025 09:20 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Hotel Chocolat has reached a new milestone with the opening of two new stores in Chicago. In addition to stocking the brand’s premium chocolate ranges, the... View Article
  
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• Exclusive: Poundland retail and digital bosses exit in leadership reshuffle

  22-04-2025 21:31 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Poundland has restructured its leadership team under new boss Barry Williams as part of his efforts to turnaround the struggling retailer.
  It is understood that around a dozen senior team leaders across digital, commercial, buying and retail left the business earlier this month, Retail Gazette has learnt.
  Among those impacted by the job cuts include director of digital Tom Hill, head of digital loyalty and engagement Emma Collins, head of labour and productivity Steve Young and head of retail ex
  
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• Rituals hails “record” year

  22-04-2025 18:22 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Rituals has been boosted by a “record” year in 2024 when turnover rose by 21% to €2.1 billion. The beauty and wellbeing brand said the increase... View Article
  
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• Hobbycraft to close some stores as part of restructuring

  22-04-2025 17:31 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The owner of Hobbycraft is planning a major restructuring that could see the arts and crafts retailer close at lease nine stores. According to a report... View Article
  
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• Amazon launches dedicated storefront for premium beauty

  22-04-2025 16:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Amazon is expanding its premium beauty offering with a dedicated dermocosmetics skincare category and storefront.
  The move allows shoppers to browse and purchase specialist beauty products from brands such as Caudalie, La Roche-Posay and Dermalogica.
  The online retail giant said the dedicated store front “aims to offer a curated shopping experience for customers to browse by category, skin type, ingredient, and brand”.
  It also features guidance and educational content for customers,
  
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• Represent names ex Dr Martens CEO as new chair

  22-04-2025 16:21 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Luxury streetwear brand Represent has named ex Dr Martens exec Kenny Wilson as its new chair and non-executive director, under an ongoing strategy to accelerate its growth and global expansion.
  The executive most recently served as CEO of Dr Martens from July 2018 until March 2025.
  He was previously chief executive of Cath Kidston and held senior roles across Levi’s, most recently serving as its SVP of commercial operations from November 2005 until January 2009.
  Wilson said: “I am de
  
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• M&S apologises after ‘cyber incident’ hits contactless payments and online orders

  22-04-2025 15:57
  
  Retailer reports issue to National Cyber Security Centre after tills stopped working Marks & Spencer has apologised to customers after a “cyber incident” affected contactless payments and the pick up of online orders in it stores in recent days.The retailer told shoppers that delays to click and collect orders have continued but it was “working hard to resolve” the issue. Continue reading...
  
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• Hobbycraft prepares to close stores and slash jobs in survival restructure

  22-04-2025 14:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital is planning a significant restructuring that could see the closure of several stores and the loss of up to 250 jobs.
  The private investment firm is gearing up to launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) at the retailer as soon as on Wednesday, Sky News reported.
  Sources close to the plans claimed that nine of the chain’s stores would be axed, with the loss of around 100 jobs, while 18 more would stay open if negotiations with landlords regarding rent cu
  
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• Hobbycraft prepares to close stores and cut jobs in survival restructure

  22-04-2025 14:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital is setting out plans that could lead to the closure of almost a quarter of its stores.
  The private investment firm is gearing up to launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) at the retailer as soon as on Wednesday, Sky News reported.
  Sources close to the plans claimed that nine of the chain’s stores would be axed, with the loss of around 100 jobs, while 18 more would stay open if negotiations with landlords regarding rent cuts ended successfully.
  They ad
  
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• How to Improve Organisational Culture in the Retail Industry

  22-04-2025 14:01 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  A thriving organizational culture in the retail industry significantly affects employee satisfaction, customer experience, and overall sales performance. However, there are specific complexities to fostering a positive... View Article
  
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• How to Improve Organizational Culture in the Retail Industry

  22-04-2025 13:39 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  A thriving organizational culture in the retail industry significantly affects employee satisfaction, customer experience, and overall sales performance. However, there are specific complexities to fostering a positive... View Article
  
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• Morrisons strengthens leadership team with internal shake-up

  22-04-2025 12:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Morrisons has appointed current group people and corporate services director Clare Grainger to its group board, effective 1 May 2025.
  Grainger, who has been with the supermarket for over 16 years, will focus on strategic issues in her new part-time role, offering the board her insight and extensive experience with the business.
  In addition to Grainger’s appointment, Jodie Keating has been promoted to the role of group people director.
  Keating, who has been with Morrisons for nearly 15 year
  
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• Aldi to fund 125 UK beach cleans in 2025

  22-04-2025 12:37 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi is set to fund 125 UK beach cleans during 2025 under its partnership with the Marine Conservation Society.
  The German discounter, which is marking its 35th anniversary in the UK, has donated £32,000 to help support the charity’s beach cleaning and litter survey project, Beachwatch, this year.
  The programme helps to tackle marine pollution along the UK coastline, with Aldi’s donation set to support beach cleans across over 25km of beaches, and clearing an estimated 3,200kg
  
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• Asda: UK families have more to spend in 2025, but future pressures loom

  22-04-2025 12:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  UK households now have £25 more to spend each week compared to the same period last year, with disposable income averaging £257 per week after bills and essentials in Q1 2025, according to Asda’s latest Income Tracker.
  The improvement follows a decline in inflation, which dropped to 2.6% in March, largely due to falling fuel prices.
  The supermarket‘s latest tracker shows that all UK regions saw an improvement in disposable income, with London continuing to have the highes
  
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• Easter footfall surpasses 2024 levels

  22-04-2025 12:11 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Retail footfall across the UK remained largely flat in the week leading up to Easter, despite increased consumer activity as shoppers prepared for the long weekend.
  According to data from MRI Software, high streets saw a modest drop in footfall, while retail parks and shopping centres experienced a rise, likely reflecting shoppers gearing up for Easter.
  In total, footfall across all retail destinations was up 11.8% compared to the same week in 2024. High streets led with a notable year-on-year i
  
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• Vinted teams up with Alexa Chung to sell her designer wardrobe

  22-04-2025 11:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Fashion icon Alexa Chung has teamed up with second-hand fashion platform Vinted to sell a curated selection of luxury items from her personal wardrobe.
  The exclusive sale, which will only be available to Vinted members in the UK, goes live on May 4, 2025, with all proceeds from the sale being donated to Endometriosis UK.
  The sale will feature a range of high-end pieces, including items from brands such as Prada, JW Anderson, Khaite, Magda Butrym, and Galvan London.
  The Lithuanian marketplace sai
  
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• First look: Inside New Balance’s redesigned Oxford Street flagship store

  22-04-2025 11:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  New Balance has reopened its flagship store on Oxford Street, London, following a comprehensive redesign that introduces a new global retail concept centred around community, performance, and self-expression.
  The new store at 287-291 Oxford Street, spanning three floors, is the latest expression of the sporting brand’s evolving retail strategy, which rethinks the traditional shopping experience by focusing on people rather than just products.The space features dedicated zones for football,
  
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• First look: Inside New Balance’s redesigned Oxford Street flagship

  22-04-2025 11:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  New Balance has reopened its flagship store on Oxford Street, London, following a comprehensive redesign that introduces a new global retail concept centred around community, performance, and self-expression.
  The new store at 287-291 Oxford Street, spanning three floors, is the latest expression of the sporting brand’s evolving retail strategy, which rethinks the traditional shopping experience by focusing on people rather than just products.The space features dedicated zones for football,
  
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• AI and HR: Can AI Enhance Employee Engagement in Retail?

  22-04-2025 10:54 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming almost every aspect of retail, from supply chain management to customised e-commerce marketing. However, as companies undergo digital transformation, some important questions arise:... View Article
  
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• Matalan secures £25m to fuel store upgrades and digital transformation

  22-04-2025 09:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Matalan has secured £25 million in additional funding from its anchor investors to support its ongoing business transformation.The fashion retailer said the investment will drive key initiatives, including store refreshes, new store openings, and improvements to its supply chain.
  The funding comes from a group of investors including Invesco, Tresidor, Man Group, and Napier Park, and will also help launch a new app that will bolster Matalan’s ecommerce operations and support its loyal
  
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• Hell is not other people – it’s being stuck in the ninth circle of an automated telephone service | Hilary Freeman

  22-04-2025 09:00
  
  Tuvalu is celebrating its first ATM, but here’s a warning from the UK, where human contact has been lost to the self-service ageLife is about to change on the remote island nation of Tuvalu. And not, in my opinion, for the better. To great fanfare, Tuvalu – an entirely cash-based society – has unveiled its first ever ATM, marking its move towards financial modernisation. But while the 10,000 people living in that country may be celebrating no longer having to queue at the bank,
  
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• Asda turns to convenience stores for growth with 25 new openings this year

  22-04-2025 08:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Asda is set to ramp up its expansion of convenience stores this year, with plans to open 25 new locations between June and December.
  This marks a significant push in the supermarket’s strategy to grow its smaller store formats and reach more local shoppers in towns and city centres.
  According to the Telegraph, the supermarket had slowed its pace of convenience store openings last year, launching only 12.
  However, the renewed expansion comes as part of a broader turnaround effort under the
  
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• French Connection to join line-up at Caledonia Park

  22-04-2025 08:31 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  French Connection is to open its newest outlet store at Caledonia Park, the premium designer outlet village in Scotland Due to launch in the coming weeks,... View Article
  
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• M&S apologises after contactless payments fail across UK stores

  22-04-2025 08:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  M&S has issued an apology after a technical glitch left customers across the UK unable to use contactless payments or click-and-collect services over the Bank holiday weekend.
  The retailer responded to mounting frustration from shoppers on social media who were unable to pay using contactless methods or collect their online orders — with several reporting the issue had persisted since Saturday (19 April).
  M&S reassured shoppers that its technical teams are currently working to
  
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• The Original Factory Shop stores at risk as it prepares for CVA

  22-04-2025 08:25 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Original Factory Shop’s new owner Modella Capital is preparing to impose steep rent cuts for the discount chain’s store landlords.
  The private equity owner is finalising its plans for a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) which could be unveiled within days, Sky News reported.
  It is understood that significant store closures and job losses could form part of the restructuring plans for TOFS, as well as demands for two-year rent-free periods at some branches. Related StoryWHSmith:
  
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• M&S to invest over £90 million in London stores

  22-04-2025 08:05 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Marks & Spencer will be investing £90 million in the opening of 17 new and improved stores across London. The move will create 450 new jobs... View Article
  
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• India under tariff pressure to give Amazon and Walmart’s Flipkart full market access

  22-04-2025 06:00 via ft.com
  Trade talks set to discuss giving US ecommerce giants a level playing field with local rivals
  
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• ‘It’s Disneyland for preppers’: why apocalypse-minded shoppers go to Costco

  21-04-2025 16:00
  
  A doomsday meal bucket drew attention to something end-timers have known forever: the bulk store is the perfect place for stockpilingLast summer, Costco shoppers noticed something new on the big-box store’s shelves. For the low, low price of $62.99, preparedness-minded customers could snatch up what one food influencer called a “Costco apocalypse dinner kit”.Think of the kit as a KFC-style bucket, but instead of fried chicken, it is stuffed with an emergency supply of 132 meals
  
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• US thrift stores bank on windfall from Trump’s tariffs

  21-04-2025 06:00 via ft.com
  
  Second-hand goods could be in vogue when levies lift prices for imports, analysts say
  
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• DHL suspends some parcel deliveries to US amid trade war

  20-04-2025 16:44 via ft.com
  German group is first major commercial logistics company to take action after new tariffs come into force
  
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