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The Westfield company is making major headway with its £1.5 billion Westfield Stratford shopping centre development, which is due to open by the end of September next year and will serve the Olympics in 2012.
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The former director of Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity, Marco Capello, is thought to be on the verge of purchasing the iconic department store Liberty using his BlueGem Capital Partners investment fund.
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The private equity company Advent International, which owns single-price budget chain Poundland, has appointed Close Brothers as adviser on the sale value of the retailer. Earlier this week it was revealed that the co-founder of Poundland, Dave Dodd, has plans to develop a variety chain by the name of Hub.
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Dean Hoyle, founder and owner of budget greeting card retail chain, Card Factory, has received a number of bids for the business from private equity groups, which could reap him and the other founders in the region of £400 million.
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As high street booksellers valiantly try to hold their own against the mighty machine of Amazon, independent retailers everywhere are struggling to stay in position on the high street as supermarkets make further inroads into their territory. Read more...
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An article in today’s issue of The Independent newspaper reports that sofa retail giant, DFS, is on the verge of being sold for more than £500 million within a fortnight. First in line to acquire the group from founder and owner Lord Kirkham are private equity firms Cinven, Permira and Advent International. Read more...
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The mistress of floral-themed shabby chic lifestyle products, Cath Kidston, is thought to be considering a sale of her retail business to American buyout company, TA Associates, reaping her in the region of £100 million. Read more...
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The co-founder of Poundland, Dave Dodd, who left the business in 2006, is planning to develop a 200-store mid market variety chain called Hub. The aim is to have three or four 10,000 – 15,000 sq ft shops open by Christmas and 30 operational outlets by 2012. The first store in the chain is scheduled to open within the next three months. Read more...
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The British Retail Consortium (BRC) believes the key Budget challenge for the Government is to outline a credible plan for addressing the fiscal deficit without precipitating a ‘double dip' recession.
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February saw a welcome upswing in visitors to American multiple retail outlets and department stores, despite the severe winter weather that adversely affected sales in some particular regions. Read more...
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The Oracle Retail Week Awards took place last night (Thursday February 4) at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. The event brought together over 1,500 industry leaders to celebrate and recognise the achievements and importance of the key individuals involved in retail today. Read more...
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Book and stationery retailer WHSmith is thought to be looking at purchasing some of the assets of Irish book chain Hughes & Hughes, which went into receivership on Friday February 26. Hughes & Hughes’ outlets in Dublin and Cork airports are likely to be of particular interest to WHSmith, which has already tendered for the rights to have stores in Dublin airport. Read more...
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The UK high street outperformed its expectations of a flat first half to February by posting the strongest growth in sales volumes in over two years. Further growth is predicted in March according to the CBI’s latest Distributive Trades Survey. Read more...
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The specialist crafts retailer Hobbycraft, will today (Friday February 6) take first round offers for the business, which was recently put up for sale by its founder, the Haskins family. Read more...
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Gifts retailer Past Times is plotting its expansion in the year ahead by seeking to open 25 more stores and improve its etail site. Past Times also opened 25 shops last year, bringing its current total of outlets to 120. Read more...
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Stationery and greeting card retailer Paperchase has been brought to task by an artist known as Hidden Eloise, who claimed that one of her designs had been copied by the company. Read more...
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In a report commissioned by comparison website Kelkoo, the Centre for Retail Research has found that consumers in the UK spend more money over the internet than anyone else in Europe. £38 billion was notched up in online sales last year, an average £1,102 per person. The sector grew by 12 per cent in 2009. Read more...
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Lakeland, the home of creative kitchenware, will be making an appearance at Spring Fair International 2010, where they will be on the hunt for the ‘Next Big Thing’. Lakeland will join many other big names in retail looking for the most innovative new ideas and trends for the upcoming year. Read more...
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Specialist pets and pet products retailer, Pets at Home, has been sold for £955 million, including debts, to private equity house Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR). Matt Davies stays with the business as chief executive. Read more...
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Barclaycard is to launch a multi-retailer reward scheme in March, into which 8 million Barclaycard users will be automatically enrolled. From then on, every time they use their cards they will earn a minimum of 1 per cent of the money they spend with participating retailers. Read more...
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The award winning Heart Gallery in Hebden Bridge is hosting a special exhibition in celebration of love and marriage on Sunday February 14. Heart Gallery will focus on adornment, especially rings, jewellery, headwear, textiles and bags for the occasion, but is also bringing interesting gift ideas from a selection of the best designers in the UK. Read more...
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Consumer market research specialist, NPD, has reported that many toy retailers reported growth in 2009, especially the last quarter of the year. The loss of 800 Woolworths stores meant that the remaining retailers tracked by NPD saw a 12 per cent rise in like-for-like sales. Read more...
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Leading etail and catalogue retailer, The Original Gift Company, shares its market research on one of the key growth areas in gifting: Personalisation. Read more...
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The BRC/KPMG London Retail Sales Monitor has found that retail sales in central London in December rose by 12 per cent on a like-for-like basis compared with a year ago, when sales fell 0.7 per cent. These are the best figures for December since the survey began in 2002. Read more...
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According to the BRC/KPMG retail sales monitor, UK retail sales values rose 4.2 per cent on a like-for-like basis last month compared with December 2008, when sales fell 3.3 per cent due to financial turmoil and plummeting consumer confidence. On a total basis sales rose 6 per cent Read more...
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London’s iconic department store Liberty is being circled by several potential buyers according to a report in Retail Week. Read more...
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The specialist arts and crafts retailer Hobbycraft has appointed Grant Thornton to oversee the sale of its business, with an asking price of £70 million.
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In the wake of chancellor Alistair Darling’s Pre-Budget report, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that big tax rises will hit consumers hard and damage economic recovery.
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According to research from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), retailers are confident that Christmas 2009 will be no worse than last year. Read more...
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Shoppers in London’s West End said ‘to hell with the recession’ on Saturday by spending £200 million in high street stores, 33 per cent more than the same time last year. Read more...
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The department store John Lewis, which has already stormed through November with exceptionally strong results, has just reported its best ever week of trading. Sales in the week to Saturday December 5 were £1 million ahead of its former record week (back in 2007) and 13.8 per cent (£102.4 million) up on the same week in 2008. Read more...
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Market Insight took a peep behind the scenes at The Entertainer, the UK’s leading independent toy chain, where founder and owner Gary Grant talked shop and shows. Read more...
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Yesterday was officially crowned Mega Monday for being the UK’s biggest online shopping day of 2009. Consumers spent over £300 million on gifts with Visa Europe, an increase of 25 per cent on last year, in the hope of ensuring that they arrive in good time for Christmas. Lunchtime was the key gift-buying time, followed by 7.00pm that night. Read more...
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The IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index has found that October’s postal strikes caused online retailers to lose £53 million in sales growth in the last week of the month. Read more...
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Overall sales at John Lewis department stores for the week ending November 21 jumped 15 per cent on the same period last year to £78.5 million as the Christmas rush sets in. Toy sales in particular enjoyed a stellar week, with sales of wheeled toys soaring 150 per cent. Traditional toys such as Sylvanian Families proved especially popular. Read more...
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Shop Direct Group may move away from a purely online operation by bringing 200 Woolworths stores back to the high street. The chief executive of Shop Direct Group, Mark Newton-Jones, said that the development is likely to take place in the New Year, saying Read more...
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Judging by its current trading figures, John Lewis is confidently reporting that Christmas shopping has most definitely started. There are clear signs that customers are preparing their homes for the festive season as well as seeking out the perfect Christmas gift for family and friends. Read more...
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Scotts & Co, one of the nation’s leading gift retailers, has quickly put the negative effects of the Royal Mail strike behind it with a superb set of sales results, which also defy the recession. Read more...
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The Telegraph Magazine has announced the winners of its 2009 Shop Awards, which were determined by votes from thousands of readers and presented at a ceremony in central London last night. The winners are as follows. Read more...
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Part two of our Market Insight into Temptation Gifts takes a look at the retailer’s eponymous, award-winning website, which has seen online sales grow by 80 per cent and then 50 per cent in 2008/9 and the year to date respectively.
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Store manager Mary-Ann Slade was full of the festive spirit when Market Insight paid a visit to Amersham's branch of the multiple award winning Temptation Gifts. Much of the buying for Temptations occurs at Spring Fair International, which the team attends for the full duration of the show, whatever the weather. Read more...
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The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has found that in the 12 months to June 2009 almost £5 billion of goods were stolen from shops in the UK, more than in any other European country.
The survey, which polled 42,000 retailers across Europe, showed that shop-lifting in Britain had shot up by 20 per cent since 2008. Read more...
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Less than a week after Marks & Spencer held its second Penny Bazaar of the year, the department store Debenhams has announced the launch of a pre-Christmas Spectacular sales promotion, due to take place on November 18 – 21. Read more...
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Market Insight went along to the opening of the second branch of Woolworths' reincarnation Alworths in Amersham last week. Asked about his feelings on opening his second store, he commented: “Wow! It’s been absolutely fabulous, it looks great, we’re all really excited. We chose Amersham because it fits our target customer profile, which is mum and dad with their kids.” Read more...
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The award winning Carnaby Christmas decorations, which were switched on last night, had a psychedelic theme this year to launch the 50th anniversary of one of London’s most famous and iconic streets. The celebrations will continue with a Carnaby Shopping Party on Thursday November 12, where over 100 shops, bars and restaurants will offer savings of 20 per cent to customers. Read more...
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With their distinctively different collection of quality home furnishings, accessories and unique gifts, lifestyle retailer Context Interiors certainly has something to celebrate in the lead up to Christmas. The store has just been crowned Best Emerging Retailer 2009 by the judges at the Scottish Retail Excellence Awards. Read more...
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The jewellery group Aurum, which owns the Goldsmiths, Watches of Switzerland and Mappin & Webb retail chains, has signed up to a debt for equity swap with its lenders. Read more...
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Retail Week celebrates Cardiff's St David's shopping centre, which attracted over 650,000 visitors in its first four days of trading. The new variety chain Alworths, set up by a former director of Woolworths, opened its doors for the first time in Didcot, Oxfordshire.
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Marks & Spencer has revealed its half year results, showing a 2.8 per cent sales rise at £4.3bn and an adjusted pre-tax profit of £298.3 million, compared with £297.8 million last year. The company is now poised to open an in-store penny bazaar of Christmas stocking fillers in all its 300 main chain shops, 40 Simply Food stores and eight outlet shops on Friday November 13.
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The latest Retail Traffic Index (RTI) figures from Synovate Retail Performance show that year-on-year shopper footfall was up again in October, the third such rise in the last four months. Retailers are in a more comfortable position than they were this time last year, when they were resigned to having far heavier stock levels than they would have liked. Read more...
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The homewares retailer Dunelm has reported a 15.1 per cent leap in like-for-like sales for the first 17 weeks of its new financial year, as total sales shot up 25.5 per cent to £154.7 million. Dunelm’s Simply Value for Money offering has helped it gain market share, while the closure of Woolworths and other retailers has also been to its advantage. Read more...
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US retail giant Wal-Mart has announced a second swathe of price cuts on toys as it presses on with its plan to be the festive season ‘price leader’. The new prices will hold until December 25 or until stocks run out.
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John Lewis has added fuel to hopes that this year will be a great Christmas for retailers by unveiling encouraging figures that show a 9.1 per cent rise in year-on-year sales. Waitrose, is also feeling the festive cheer after gift sales were up 133 per cent on the week to October 24 2008. Toiletries and mugs were the most popular items. Read more...
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A poll by ICM has revealed that half of shoppers intend to shop less online or by mail order if postal strikes continue in the run up to Christmas. 40 Per cent said they are not confident about home shopping. Chabby chic homewares specialist Cath Kidston is understood to have received a number of unsolicited approaches from potential buyers, although there are no formal plans to sell the business. Read more...
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this year’s prime ghost-hunting day looks set to be the best ever according to research from Planet Retail, with sales of related products expected to hit the £235 million mark this year. Market Insight went out and about to see whether there were any spooky shop displays that caught our eye...prepare to be scared! Read more...
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Molly–Meg is a newly opened business dedicated to bringing 20th Century modern design icons to the world of children, via an online kids’ lifestyle store. Specialising in children’s furniture from the 1950s to the present day, Molly-Meg aims to show that good design is not just for adults.
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Apple chief executive Steve Jobs is helping Walt Disney to revamp its chain of high street stores and effectively transform them into mini children’s theme parks. Disney intends to spend around $1 million on each of its 340 merchandising outlets in the US and Europe, in a refurbishment scheme lasting five years. Read more...
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The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is scrutinising e-tailers who are thought to be engaging in unscrupulous targeted pricing and advertising, to see if some online traders are charging customers different prices for the same products. Other practices to be looked at by OFT include "baiting sales," whereby some products are offered on discount to lure shoppers, but customers ultimately end up buying full-priced items Read more...
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Market Insight went along to the opening of Anthropologie’s first UK store in Regent Street last Friday, to see if it lived up to expectations and made us want to move to the Hamptons. Our verdict is that there's plenty to love here, just don’t look at the price tag! Read more...
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Halloween is gearing up to be the biggest yet, with UK sales of related products expected to hit £235 million, up from £195 million last year and just £12 million in 200; Clinton Cards is hoping to grow its store base from 876 to 1,200 within six years after revealing better results than expected; the first John Lewis at home store, the retailer's first new format in 20 years, opened this week in Poole, Dorset. Read more...
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Research figures show that the UK retail environment has now stabilised and is set to improve in time for the key Christmas trading period. Pressures on margin are still high, but rents have fallen, retail teams have bougth well, there's a better handle on surplus stock, strategies for dealing with VAT and consumers are ready to spend. Read more...
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If you like Sim City and/or browsing the internet for hours, especially for shopping, the chances are you’ll love the new website Gemsta. Funded by property company Prima, this 3D visual search destination has been two years in development, features 500 different brands, including major retailers such as John Lewis, Hamleys, Laura Ashley and Hotel Chocolat and draws information from leading online power houses such as Google, Yahoo and the BBC. Read more...
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The DIY retailer Homebase, which is owned by Argos’ parent company, Home Retail Group, has launched what it claims is the UK’s “Biggest Home and Garden Survey”, in an attempt to gauge the lifestyle tastes of the British public. Those who complete the ten minute survey by 31 December 2009 will be eligible for a prize draw to win a million Nectar points or one of 15 runner-up prizes of 100,000 points. Read more...
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Latest figures from The British Retail Consortium and KPMG have shown that September’s like-for-like retail sales in central London were 7.5 per cent higher than a year ago, when the financial crisis triggered a 0.2 per cent drop. Sales were undoubtedly helped along by the booming tourist trade, which benefitted from a pound that was weak against the Euro and a surge of visitors from France, Germany and the Middle East. Read more...
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The UK’s largest specialist greetings card retailer, Clinton Cards, has seen a slight upturn in its fortunes since placing the loss-making Birthdays business into administration and buying back the 196 most profitable stores in the chain. Read more...
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Rachel Davies, catalogue manager for The Original Gift Company, which is part of the Scotts and Co Group, talks to Market Insight about why Spring Fair International is an essential part of the buying calendar. Read more...
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Marks & Spencer is reviewing its 668-store portfolio to ensure outlets are well-located and play their part in a multi-channel offer.
The US retailer Anthropologie will source 20 per cent of its product from the UK and collaborate with local designers for its first European store, which opens on London's Regent Street next Friday.
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Just months after Waitrose opened its aisles to John Lewis-brande homewares, Marks & Spencer has seen a major opportunity in the same sector. The key retailers in the homewares market are currently Argos, with a 5.6 per cent share and John Lewis with 4.9 per cent. Marks & Spencer currently ranked 9th with 2.8 per cent, also lagging behind Ikea, Tesco, Dunelm, Debenhams, Asda and Next. Read more...
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Shared Earth, the UK's largest Fair Trade gift retailer, has opened two new shops in Brighton and Canterbury. The two new shops are being run as franchises and Shared Earth has been approached by several retailers interested in a flexible franchise option. Sales of Fair Trade products in the UK have increased by 40 per cent each year for the last six years. Read more...
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Borders UK has formed a tie-in with gardget retailer Red 5, that will see toys, gifts, snacks and other non-book products account for half of the bookseller's sales. The deal will be effective in 11 of Borders's 36 superstores from November.
The variety chain Alworths, which was set up by former Woolworths director Andy Latham, expects to break even in its first year of trading. The retailer wants to open 22 stores in the next 12 months. Read more...
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Leading UK industry figures will discuss the future of fashion at a business event being launched as part of the fourth annual Leeds Shopping Week, which runs from October 15 – 25 2009. The week will also include fashion shows, promotions and events across the city to celebrate the city’s retail offer. Read more...
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The leading publication for the retail industry, Retail Week, has announced the launch of its latest conference, due to take place on March 3 – 4 2010 at Park Plaza Victoria in London.
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EBay has launched an outlet section on its website in a bid to become more attractive to retailers. The new zone will sell products at up to 70 per cent of the RRP and retailers including The Entertainer and Argos have already signed up for their own online shop-in-shop.
Clare Robertson, manager of the Dorchester value store Wellworths - formerly a branch of Woolworths - is considering opening more shops next year if Christmas trading goes well.
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Shares in the homewares and textiles retailer Dunelm rose by over ten per cent yesterday as it announced that like-for-like sales had recently risen by 16.1 per cent. The retailer, which operates 97 stores, mainly in the North West and Midlands, has posted a pre-tax profit of £52.5 million for the year to July 4, representing a rise of 6.8 per cent on the previous year. Overall sales increased 6.3 per cent to £417.1 million. Read more...
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This year’s Autumn Fair International was so packed full of fantastic new products and the all-important feel-good factor that Market Insight was never in danger of running out of inspiration at the season’s key buying event. We spent much of our time there stalking the show floor on the lookout for hot new ranges, and chatting to buyers about their expectations of the event. Read more...
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The retailers were out in force at this year's Autumn Fair International, which took place at the Birmingham NEC from 6 - 9 September. By all accounts the show was a resounding success, with visitor numbers totalling 28,757*, a figure which surpassed last year’s figure of 28,074. Read more...
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Top British designers Jude Biddulph and Sam Hurt of Suck UK, multiple winner of the Gift of the Year award, have opened the Suck Shop – their first retail outlet – in London’s Oxo Tower. Read more...
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Some of the country’s biggest retailers united at a Skillsmart Retail summit held on Thursday September 10, to dispel various myths surrounding the skills system and pledge their support to their staff. Read more...
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Marks & Spencer is the latest major retailer to launch a personalized card service, which sees it following in the footsteps of Clinton, WHSmith and online specialist Moonpig, which more than doubled its revenue to £20.9 million in the year to April 2009.
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Sue Parsons is in retail heaven. She opened the Bows Emporium in Bexley, Kent, with her sister Lyn three months ago and popped into the press office at Autumn Fair International this week to collect the Swag Bag she had won. Read more...
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House of Fraser is planning to open stores overseas in the next stage of its expansion plans under private equity owner Highland Group.
Online greetings card retailer Moonpig, now in its tenth year, more than doubled its revenue by bringing in £20.9 million in the year to April 2009.
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It's all systems go at Emap this weekend with the launch of Autumn Fair International at the NEC in Birmingham. A superb array of suppliers have lined up to display their hottest new products, with over 220 new exhibitors and more than 260 international companies joining the event. Read more...
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The toy retailer Hamleys saw net losses go from £2.7 million to £7.1 million last year, but has vowed to improve earnings in the current financial year.
Almost 60 per cent of th e 800 former Woolworths stores have been let or are under offer, with discount retailers acquiring 37 per cent of the Woolies portfolio. Read more...
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A report in today’s issue of The Daily Telegraph highlights some of the ingenious ways in which etailers – who take 17p of every £1 spent in the UK - have reacted to the economic downturn. Read more...
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Research from the Office for National Statistics has shown that UK retail sales reached a 14-month high in July, rising 0.4 per cent against June and going up by 3.3 per cent compared with July 2008. Read more...
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The Sector Skills Council for Retail, Skillsmart Retail, has welcomed news that funding will be provided for 2,000 further Modern Apprenticeships in the Scottish retail sector. Read more...
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The stationery retailer Paperchase has seen a 20 per cent fall in pre-tax profits in the year to January 31, down to £6.5 million, while sales rose 8 per cent to £61.7 million. The retailer opened eight new stores and three House of Fraser concessions in the same period, and also launched a new subsidiary, Paperchsae Designs Ireland. Read more...
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Conways Toymaster chain of toy retailers, which currently has 180 members in the UK with 320 shops, is opening four more stores in the north of England, creating over 20 jobs between them. Read more...
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The value of UK retail sales rose by 1.8 per cent on a like-for-like basis and 3.6 per cent on a total basis compared with July 2008. Homewares and furniture particularly benefited from clearance discounts in the past month, as the wettest July on record got consumers thinking about the great indoors again. Read more...
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Simon Lawson, the former owner of Cardfair, Card Warehouse and then jewellery retailer Diamonds & Pearls, all of which went into administration, has made the most of high profile closures on the high street by ploughing ahead with his new multiple retail project, Paperbox Read more...
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The homewares and fashion retailer, Cath Kidston, famed for floral designs and shabby-chic trend setting, has seen profits grow to £4.6 million in the year to March 2009, compared with £2.9 million for the year before. Read more...
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The stereotype of the female shopaholic could soon be an image of the past, as new research shows that Britain’s ‘online high street’ is increasingly dominated by men. Read more...
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The supermarket chain Waitrose will sell John Lewis branded kitchen and homewares via its top 20 or so stores and a new 'Homeshop' section on the website, waitrose.com, which will launch on Tuesday August 4. Customers ordering online can choose to either have their purchases delivered directly to their homes or can decide to pick up directly from their local Waitrose branch Read more...
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The Government is rethinking its credit-insurance top-up scheme as it transpires that only a few businesses have taken it on board. Companies are now being urged to find other ways of managing their risk instead of relying on credit insurers. Read more...
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Tesco is taking the notion of ‘green shoots of recovery’ to another level by applying for planning permission to develop allotments at its Dobbies Garden Centres Read more...
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The founders of Links of London, Annoushka Ducas and John Ayton, have launched a new fine jewellery business operating from 11 department stores. Read more...
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Britain’s Got Talent winner, George Sampson, helped launch Mega Brands’ Battle Strikers, recently voted for by toy retailer Hamleys as the number one toy to have this Christmas. Read more...
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We may have just gone through Blue Monday - the world's worst day according to national press - but 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy and I for one saw a very bright star in the sky on January 19. Read more...
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The theme of this week's newsletter is not so much survival - we all know that's about being the fittest - but support Read more...
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The CBI has added its weight to a growing campaign against the Government's controversial Business Rates Supplement Bill, which underwent its third reading in the House of Commons this week Read more...
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As Mary Portas extends her dominion even further over the world of retail with a soon-to-be-rolled-out charity shop concept, Oxfam is sidling towards the cutting edge of retail with a revamped store on Camden High Street Read more...
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Tesco tops the 2008 - 2009 list Read more...
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FSB report says funds are not being used Read more...
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Henri Davis, who has purchasing power over all the greetings cards, Christmas cards, calendars and other stationery items sold in NT outlets, spoke to Marketplace News about her work. Read more...
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The Swedish furniture manufacturer, IKEA, has published its latest Sustainability Report on its website. Read more...
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Part 2: A good cause for Number Twenty Read more...
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Marketplace News has been out and about on the great British high street to discover at close range what impact the embattled economy is having on local retailers. Read more...
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The specialist greetings card retailer Scribbler is plotting its expansion across the UK as the collapse of chains including Celebrations and Birthdays, creates opportunities for other retailers in the sector. Read more...
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The confirmation that Clinton Cards bought back 196 Birthdays stores has left rather a bitter taste in some people's mouths judging by comments on the Trading Talk blog and Retail Week website. £3.5 million was spent on the deal, with £3.25 million covered by the debt Birthdays owed to its parent company Clintons. It is good news, of course, for the 1,450 staff whose jobs have been saved, but cold comfort for the 800 now left redundant with little notice and those Birthdays suppliers who may be out of pocket as a result Read more...
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The Greats 2009 awards, which are organised by Max Publishing to celebrate gift retailing in the UK, were held last month at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London and hosted by comedian John Bishop. Read more...
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During June and July Brainstorm is working in conjunction with the Conway’s Toymaster chain of stores to create window displays marketing its Zipbin range of products. Read more...
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Dundee’s Wellgate centre to pilot Prupim retail initiative Read more...
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Stores try to lure shoppers with aggressive discounts Read more...
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Colliers estimates a 20 per cent rent decrease by 2010 Read more...
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The administrators called in to deal with failed greetings card chain Birthdays, Peter Saville, Alastair Beveridge and Stuart Mackellar, confirmed today that two offers have been accepted for the purchase of 199 stores and 11 stores respectively. Read more...
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Markets in a state of flux bring about real opportunities for change and it is beyond doubt that the face of retail has been transformed in the past year. It is also true to say however, that pioneers often go unrecognised, as the public imagination tends to engage only when the bandwagon is already rolling. Tuesday night's episode of Mary Queen of Charity Shops is a case in point Read more...
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Online seller Amazon is to pay toy chain Toys ‘R’ Us, which operates 1,000 stores out of 35 countries, $51 million to settle a dispute filed in 2004. Read more...
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Mary Portas transforms Save the Children store Read more...
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Brisk sales lead to growth of retail business Read more...
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Looking forward to Father’s Day Read more...
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Leading-edge independent jewellery retailer, Kabiri, cuts across genres and boundaries to present the best emerging jewellery design talents from around the world, regardless of price or materials. Read more...
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The Rising Gems exhibition, a highlight of Coutts London Jewellery Week, was formed as the result of a collaboration between ten of the UK’s most innovative and directional young jewellery designers.
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Toni Horton’s independent retail outlet ‘Something…’ opened in August 2004 in Bloomsbury’s Lamb’s Conduit Street. Read more...
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New regime will be more manageable for small retailers Read more...
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Survey shows that training does not reach smallest firms Read more...
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Retailer to improve show rooms and online offer Read more...
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In-store workshops planned for June 6 launch Read more...
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WRC announces 2009 winners Read more...
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Jayne Maddox of Madcraft 74 talks to Marketplace News about the ups and downs of online retailing, the latest must-have gifts and carving a niche in the UK craft market. Read more...
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Silver lining in the economic cloud for charities
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Traffic-free Saturday pulls in crowds Read more...
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Greetings retailer bids farewell to troubled brand Read more...
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Ian Jones is the owner of Azendi, named UK Jewellery Retailer of the Year at last year’s UK Jewellery Awards. Read more...
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Price comparison site reveals best-sellers Read more...
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Independent retail under the spotlight Read more...
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John Lewis is to launch its first new-format store in 20 years this autumn in Poole, Dorset. Read more...
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Home Retail Group, has announced its annual results for the 52 weeks to 28 February 2009, revealing that Benchmark’ profits at the group were down 24 per cent to £328mn, compared with £433mn in 2008.
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| Image of Whitechapel Marketp by Loopzilla |
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Consumers flock to cheaper destinations Read more...
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Poor weather and weak pound help sales Read more...
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Kitchen and homewares specialist builds on recent successes Read more...
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| Bentalls was established in 1867 (Image: IHA) |
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Kingston-based store picks up gong at IHA show in Chicago Read more...
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World of Sofas to open in May Read more...
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Jewellery giant hit by downturn Read more...
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Simon Lawson looks back to his Card Fair roots Read more...
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London’s iconic independent toy retailer Hamley’s today unveils its first ever Me to You and My Blue Nose Friends window display, in conjunction with gift and greetings manufacturer, Carte Blanche Greetings (CBG). Read more...
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Please&thankyou to begin trading this week Read more...
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Spar International chief executive shares global perspective Read more...
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Eddingtons reveals winner of Spring Fair competition Read more...
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Planet Retail UK Retail Trading report Read more...
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Supermarket wins Competition appeal Read more...
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Co-op grabs the zeitgeist Read more...
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Dramatic shake-up forecast for year ahead Read more...
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KPMG appointed over high street jeweller Read more...
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Retail industry darling strengthens portfolio Read more...
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| Detail of Lionel de Rothschild's painting of House of Commons reproduced by Hawkestone |
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Minister lobbied ahead of proposed April rise Read more...
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| image: asda TV ad |
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Customers hearkening back to better days Read more...
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The Gallery Steventon wins Countryside Alliance award Read more...
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Retailer looks at ways to counter the slump Read more...
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| image: Stephen Robertson |
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6.5 per cent like-on-like increase Read more...
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Marketplace puts a spotlight on Heart Gallery Read more...
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| Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalun |
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Entries close in a week! Read more...
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The cult American fashion retailer Anthropologie has confirmed where its first two European stores will be located. The retailer, which is owned by parent group Urban Outfitters, will first hit the British high street in Wedgewood’s former store at 158 Regent Street in London. The second will follow in 2010 at the Antiquarius building, 131-141 King’s Road, also in London. Read more...
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Federation celebrates success Read more...
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HobbyCraft saw a 4.6 per cent rise in like-for-like sales over Christmas and a 115 per cent increase in sales on Christmas products compared with a year ago. Total sales for the 10 months to December 2008 were up 10.1 per cent to £57.3m and pre tax profits rose 122 per cent to £6.1m. Read more...
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The Cardfair and Card Warehouse chains of greetings card stores, which constitute the 288-strong Celebrations Group, are to shut up shop this weekend with a loss of some 1,400 jobs. The business went into administration for the third time in as many years last October, after a MBO over Christmas 2006 failed to turn the ailing business around
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The BTHA has nominated 21 category finalists for the Best Toy Shop Awards 2009. The winners will be announced at the annual Toy Industry Awards dinner at London’s 02 Arena on 29 January 2009. The dinner is held each year to coincide with Toy Fair, which takes place on 28-31 January at London’s ExCeL, organised by the BTHA in association with the TRA (Toy Retailers Association). Read more...
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Toy retailer feels the recession bite Read more...
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H Samuel and Ernest Jones entice late shoppers Read more...
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Spotlight on Bohemia
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| Fairtrade display, Derbyshire County Council (image: Andie Gilmour) |
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Values are as important as value Read more...
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Multiple greetings card retailer, Card Factory, has confirmed its purchase of 76 stores from 288 that were originally being run by the Celebrations Group, which went into administration in the first week of October. 500 jobs will be saved as a result of the purchase. Read more...
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Spotlight on Steamer Trading Cook Shop Read more...
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£15,000 of artworks sold in one night Read more...
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Retailers fight for change in rules on business rates Read more...
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Retailer goes for gold with rebranding Read more...
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Our Eco Shop is about to be launched Read more...
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Multiple retailer embraces the trend for nostalgia Read more...
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Discount retailer goes from strength to strength Read more...
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Leading retailers push for a fair deal on rates Read more...
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Supermarket giant expands in Asia but puts brakes on in the States Read more...
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Steady growth for company with a strong niche Read more...
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British Retail Consortium monitors non-store sales Read more...
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Retailer plans full-line store in Republic of Ireland Read more...
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FSB welcomes the Bank of England’s latest move Read more...
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Dedicated demonstrators highlight own-brand gifts Read more...
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Administrator slimming down portfolio for sale Read more...
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Alistair Darling announces £4bn package Read more...
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SFM joins the crowds at the biggest retail opening of the year Read more...
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Bosses claim £1.7bn shopping centre will stand test of time Read more...
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Luxury jeweller in talks with investor Read more...
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Housewares supplier creates bin with matt black lid Read more...
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Series capitalising on popularity of traditional games Read more...
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Spring Fair International says shoppers are spreading payments Read more...
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Luxury chocolate brand offers pre-packed selections to retailers Read more...
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FSB calls on Government to keep independents afloat Read more...
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Non-food stores driving decline, says ONS Read more...
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Big-name exhibitors sign up for next year Read more...
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Designer to benefit from increased exposure Read more...
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Company to sell luxury Belgian notebooks Read more...
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Twisted Twee distributing once-exclusive catwalk underwear Read more...
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Consumer commissioner announces action plan Read more...
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Administrator confident of sale as deadline passes Read more...
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Baugur’s UK demise could spell end of a retail era Read more...
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Dream Toys was revealed in London this week, with the cream of the crop making the Dream Dozen. SFM looks at Santa’s hot list Read more...
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Samantha Parkington products to be dropped Read more...
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Jewellery supplier to make packaging accessible for indies Read more...
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BRC celebrates campaign victory Read more...
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Stuck for ideas on how to transform your shop into a winter wonderland? TV designers Colin and Justin give us some cost-effective festive ideas Read more...
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Baugur maintains that its UK businesses are safe Read more...
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Housing and financial market turmoil continues to hit sales Read more...
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MFI places retail and property divisions in administration Read more...
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Licensing opportunities open up across the Channel Read more...
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Group says Icelandic banks are minority stakeholders Read more...
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Furniture and stationery rise while footwear drops Read more...
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BRC calls half-point cut ‘bold’ while BHF cries ‘half-hearted’ Read more...
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SCC replaced with Consumer Focus Scotland after 33 years Read more...
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Administrator receives 45 notes of interest Read more...
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Harvey Nichols store axes homewares to focus on fashion Read more...
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Society hopes to create decorative accessories under prestigious brand Read more...
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Cream of the store design industry celebrate innovation Read more...
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Retail Interiors Awards winners revealed Read more...
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11m UK consumers hit online stores twice a week Read more...
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Administrators fighting to save jobs and appease creditors Read more...
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