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• Pets at Home warns of lower profit in 2026 financial year

  31-03-2025 09:58 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Pets at Home has said its full year underlying pre-tax profit will be in line with previous guidance at £133 million, but has warned that profits... View Article
  
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• Nike’s ‘Made in Vietnam’ trainers run into Trump tariff wall

  06-04-2025 06:00 via ft.com
  
  Nike, Adidas and Puma shifted production to Vietnam for its cheap labour but will now be hit by 46% levy
  
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• Asda’s comeback kid has returned, all-out UK food wars have not

  06-04-2025 06:00 via ft.com
  
  Allan Leighton’s ‘rollback’ pricing strategy is back, but rival supermarkets are well-placed to weather any storm
  
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• Retail staff costs soar 10% amid national insurance and wage hikes

  06-04-2025 01:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The cost of employing staff in entry-level roles has jumped by more than 10% for retailers across the country, with part-time staff experiencing a 13% increase, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
  These rises come in the wake of today’s National Insurance contributions (NICs) hike and last week’s increase in the National Living Wage.
  The changes are set to cost the retail sector over £5bn a year, a figure that is expected to rise to £7bn with the introductio
  
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• Conversation with… Jan Duckworth, managing director of Cox & Cox

  05-04-2025 13:22 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Jan Duckworth has recently joined Cox & Cox as managing director as the luxury homewares brand looks ahead to a new period of growth. In this... View Article
  
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• Tesco set for revenue boost despite grocery price war fears

  04-04-2025 18:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Tesco is set to report stronger revenues in its upcoming full year results on 10 April, according to analysts.
  During its most recent update, the UK’s biggest supermarket, said it was considering replacing its barcodes with QR codes, said it had pulled in its highest market share in nearly nine years, hitting 29% of the industry’s sales.
  Tesco’s UK and Ireland like for like revenues, excluding fuel and VAT, rose 3.7% over the six weeks to 4 January, while it saw record trading
  
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• Waterstones pauses US shipping after Trump tariffs

  04-04-2025 14:42 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Waterstones has stopped international orders to the United States after the Trump administration increased import tariffs.
  The retailer said on its website that it was unable to accept orders delivering to the US following the news that UK business sending goods stateside would be subject to a 10% tax.
  Waterstones pasted a note to its international shipping information page stating: “We regret that we are currently unable to accept or ship orders to the US, while we establish options to be
  
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• Cost of Easter rises as UK chocolate, lamb and hot cross bun prices soar

  04-04-2025 14:38
  
  Shoppers also face more ‘shrinkflation’ as manufacturers ‘try to offset rising production costs’Exchanging Easter eggs and tucking into a roast dinner are among the highlights of the spring holiday but Britons face paying more for this year’s celebrations after a sharp rise in the price of essentials such as chocolate, lamb and hot cross buns.A leg of lamb joint now costs on average £13.94 a kilo in supermarkets, which is 10%, or £1.31, more than last ye
  
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• Aldi hits British supplier spending target a year early

  04-04-2025 14:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Aldi has hit its spending target with British suppliers a year early, as it seeks to support UK businesses.
  After pledging to spend a further £3.5bn a year with British suppliers by the end of this year back in 2020, the German discounter has surpassed this goal by spending over 14bn with UK businesses in 2024.
  Aldi UK CEO Giles Hurley said: “British suppliers have always been at the heart of our business. From homegrown apples to Wagyu beef, and from crisps to cocktails – our
  
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• M&S adds Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger to boost underwear sales

  04-04-2025 11:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Marks & Spencer has expanded its Brands at M&S online platform by adding Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger to its portfolio, continuing its efforts to enhance style perceptions and broaden customer appeal.
  The retailer has introduced a selection of men’s and women’s items in categories such as underwear, lingerie, loungewear, and swimwear. This includes Calvin Klein’s popular Icon Stretch range and pieces from Tommy Hilfiger’s spring 2025 collection. Tommy Hilfiger
  
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• M&S adds Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger to Brands at M&S platform

  04-04-2025 11:25 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  M&S has added Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger to its Brands at M&S online platform as it continues to expand the offering. Products for men and... View Article
  
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• Amazon among bidders to buy TikTok’s US business

  04-04-2025 11:13 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Amazon has submitted a last-minute bid to buy TikTok’s US business as the deadline looms for the platform to find a non-Chinese owner.
  The retail giant is understood to have submitted an offer through a letter to US vice president JD Vance and ecommerce secretary Howard Lutnick, The New York Times reported.
  However, sources told the publication that the Trump administration was not taking Amazon’s bid seriously. Related StoryAmazon Fresh axes Richmond site three years after opening27
  
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• Tesco considers replacing barcodes with QR codes

  04-04-2025 10:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Tesco is considering replacing hundreds of product barcodes with QR code technology in its latest digital innvovation.
  Britain’s largest grocer is trialling the codes across 12 own-brand fresh produce and meat products, which currently direct shoppers to its listing online.
  The technology, which is still in the early stages of development, will shortly be available to scan at both the till, replacing the need for traditional barcodes, as well as on consumer’s mobile devices to provid
  
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• M&S chair Archie Norman: ‘Most loyalty cards are disloyalty cards’

  04-04-2025 10:35 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  M&S chairman Archie Norman has dismissed traditional loyalty schemes, declaring that “most loyalty cards are disloyalty cards used for pseudo promotions”.
  Speaking at the 2025 Retail Technology Show, Norman criticised differential pricing tactics used by many supermarkets, arguing they erode consumer trust.
  “I’m a card sceptic. A lot of these loyalty cards are used for pseudo promotions… I don’t believe in differential pricing. At M&S, it’s abou
  
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• Retail roundtable – how can technology better support frontline workers amid budget pressures and rising industry costs?

  04-04-2025 09:56 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  In UK retail organisations, frontline workers play a pivotal role in business success. But, in a challenging environment, what efficiency and effectiveness barriers do retailers and... View Article
  
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• Theo Paphitis: Business rates ‘will kill the high street on its own’

  04-04-2025 09:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Ryman’s chairman Theo Paphitis has backed Labour’s plans for business rates reform as he blasted the efforts made by the previous government.
  Speaking at the 2025 Retail Technology Show, Paphitis said the current system “will kill the high street on its own at some stage”.
  The former Dragon’s Den investor called for a level playing field across retail, saying “the previous government ignored the rise of online”.
  “We must have been the only people o
  
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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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• Modern Milkman launches e-bike doorstep delivery service

  04-04-2025 09:15 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Modern Milkman, the B-corp-certified 21st-century milk round, is launching a fleet of e-bikes to deliver produce to doorsteps across south west London this month. Using 95%... View Article
  
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• Moonpig performance boosted by investments in technology

  04-04-2025 09:14 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Moonpig Group is expecting its revenue to reach between £350 million and £353 million in the year to 30 April as it continues to invest in... View Article
  
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• Jigsaw secures £5m funding from Carphone Warehouse founder

  04-04-2025 08:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Jigsaw has secured £5m in fresh funding from Carphone Warehouse co-founder David Ross in a deal that sees him become majority shareholder.
  An investment vehicle controlled by Ross has agreed to the multimillion-pound deal for the fashion chain, seven years after his initial investment, Sky News reported.
  The new funding will see him replace Jigsaw founder John Robinson as controlling shareholder, sources said. Related StoryJigsaw CEO to exit after 15 months14/02/2025 x 12:41 PMThe retailer
  
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• The Very Group launches data-led creative studio for brands

  04-04-2025 08:38 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  The Very Group has unveiled a new marketing proposition that connects data-led creative capabilities to third-party brands.
  Hello Studio is a multi-channel creative service that uses the latest technology to offer bespoke and tailored content that connects brands to their consumers.
  The platform will utilise the retailer’s data from its 4.3 million customers throughout the ideation process to collaborate with brand partners on new concepts.
  Very Group said the “unique combination of
  
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• Matalan collaborates with Little Mistress and Vicky Pattison

  04-04-2025 08:31 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Matalan has teamed up with the Little Mistress fashion brand and TV personality Vicky Pattison to launch a new 27-piece collection. Items range from dresses and... View Article
  
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• Co-op lost £80m from shoplifting in 2024

  04-04-2025 08:25 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Co-op reported that groceries worth £80m were stolen from its stores last year amid the rise in retail crime.
  The convenience store chain said stock losses from shoplifting were up more than 14% last year, up from the £70m hit it took in 2023, despite it spending more than £200m on prevention.
  Poundland took a £40m hit from shoplifting last year, while Primark’s owner has previously said theft was costing the fashion chain more than its £70m business rates bil
  
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• Lidl trials middle aisle click, reserve and collect service

  04-04-2025 08:20 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Lidl is trialling a click, reserve and collect service via its app to enable customers to reserve Middle of Lidl products up to two weeks in advance... View Article
  
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• ‘Membership is our superpower’: How Co-op used loyalty to bolster its bottom line

  03-04-2025 22:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Co-op revealed that its profits had quadrupled in its full year results today (3 April), as it leveraged its membership scheme to drive growth.
  The convenience giant saw pre-tax profits soar from £28m to £161m over the year to 4 January, although group sales stayed flat at £11.3bn. Across its food arm, underlying operating profit was up 16% to £201m. 
  It comes as Co-op saw a 22% hike in its membership growth over the period to 6.2m users, up from 5.1m in 2023. 
  
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• How to sift through Trump’s retail discount rack

  03-04-2025 19:18 via ft.com
  
  Merchants that buy and sell excess merchandise from top brands might benefit from the trade war
  
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• Co-op takes £80mn hit from shoplifting

  03-04-2025 16:30 via ft.com
  Wave of theft is adding to raft of cost pressures on retail industry
  
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• Percy Pig’s US adventure may be short-lived as M&S responds to Trump tariffs

  03-04-2025 16:07
  Retailer’s ‘gift to America’ could be hit by new taxes as it also adjusts to rules on advertising high fat, sugar and salt foodsBusiness live – latest updatesGlobal stock markets plunge and US dollar tumblesPercy Pig’s US invasion could be called to a halt amid fears that Donald Trump’s tariffs could affect sales of Marks & Spencer’s popular confectionery brand which has just launched in Target stores across the Atlantic.Archie Norman, the chair of M
  
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• Co-op to open at least 120 more grocery shops after profits rise five-fold

  03-04-2025 15:18
  Mutual reports increase from £28m to £161m, but says ministers ‘layering costs’ on retailers could hit high streetsThe Co-operative Group plans to open at least a further 120 grocery shops this year after profits rose more than fivefold, but told the government that “layering costs” on retailers could hit high streets and communities.The mutual, which owns more than 800 funeral parlours and an insurance and legal advisory business as well as operating more tha
  
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• UK software company launches first private sovereign AI for business

  03-04-2025 14:30 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Launch comes as business concerns about the unauthorised employee use of AI grow OneAdvanced, trusted UK headquartered software provider, has announced the launch of OneAdvanced AI... View Article
  
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