Social media ban driving ‘screen-free’ sales, The Works boss says Retail The boss of discount retailer The Works has said the government’s crackdown on social media usage has driven customers towards the “screen-free activities” offered in his stores. Gavin Peck, chief executive of the Aim-listed retailer, believes Labour’s incoming social media ban has pushed up demand among parents for analogue activities for their children and was [...]
Warehouse tax could threaten high street businesses, Burnham warned Retail Andy Burnham‘s plans to hike taxes on warehouses to pay for business rates cuts for pubs and shops could backfire and raise costs for high street businesses, industry figures have warned. The UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), a trade body representing retailers including Amazon, Co-op and John Lewis, has written to the new Prime Minister urging [...]
Burnham urged to go further to fix ‘broken’ business rates Retail Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham must broaden his plans to reform the “broken and unsustainable” business rates system, hospitality and retail industry leaders have warned. The former mayor of Greater Manchester has already pledged to slash business rates for high street firms but a coalition of trade bodies has urged him to go further. Ros [...]
Heatwave slows retail sales but World Cup boosts online shopping July 14, 2026 June’s scorching heat slowed retail sales, but Brits opted to shop from home instead, sending online sales soaring. Total retail sales in the UK slowed from 3.7 per cent in May to 1.9 per cent in June year on year, in line with this year’s average growth rate, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). [...]
Moonpig embraces tech and upselling as revenue jumps June 25, 2026 Moonpig has credited its tech and upselling capabilities with its rise in revenue, with boosted customer retention and a growing order book. The online card maker recorded a 6.5 per cent rise in revenue in the year ended 30 April, jumping to £373m from £350.1m. Profit before tax swung back to £68.9m from last financial [...]
UK risks becoming ‘dumping ground’ for Temu and Shein, retailers warn June 23, 2026 The UK risks becoming a “dumping ground” for online fast-fashion giants like Shein and Temu once a European crackdown on those firms comes into effect, leading retailers have warned. High street firms including Primark and Accessorize told Morning Wire they risk facing tougher rivalry from foreign fast-fashion sellers if the UK does not clamp down [...]
Ocado to replace founder Steiner as shares plunge June 22, 2026 The board of Ocado is on the hunt for a successor to its founder and chief executive, Tim Steiner, as the e-commerce group faces up to a rapidly falling share price. The FTSE 250 firm, which offers online shopping and warehouse automation services, confirmed on Monday that it is putting together a succession plan for [...]
Retailers ramp up pressure on Reeves to scrap tax break for e-commerce rivals May 27, 2026 Retailers have urged Rachel Reeves to “revitalise the high street” by speeding up plans to close a tax break which they say unfairly favours Chinese e-commerce rivals. High street giants like Next, M&S and Primark have urged the Chancellor to impose a £2.60 flat fee on small parcels to rebalance a system which they say [...]
Retail sales fall as Brits cut back on supermarket spending March 27, 2026 Retail sales fell in February, as low spending in food and household goods stores could not offset the strong performance of online sellers. The quantity of goods bought in February fell by 0.4 per cent, down from the surprise two per cent rise in January, which was revised up from 1.8 per cent, according to [...]
Next unveils huge development in £2.5bn economy boost March 26, 2026 Retail giant Next has unveiled a huge new development which it says will add £2.5bn to the economy, as the FTSE 100 firm invests over £300m in its warehouses. The firm has been granted planning permission to build a new 1.2m sq ft warehouse in its Elmsall complex in Yorkshire, with construction set to commence [...]