‘Dispiriting’: Ministers speed up crackdown on Shein and Temu – by just six months June 23, 2026 Retailers have criticised the government for failing to move fast enough on closing a tax loophole that they say favours fast-fashion importers like Shein and Temu. High street businesses had been urging the government to bring forward its planned end to the “de minimis” regime, which exempts imports worth less than £135 from paying tax. [...]
TG Jones backs down from clash with landlords in bid to save stores June 23, 2026 TG Jones has been forced to offer a string of concessions to its landlords after proposals to slash rent in a bid to avert the collapse of hundreds of former WH Smith stores. The retailer, formerly the high street arm of WH Smith, has convinced FTSE 100 landowner British Land to drop its opposition to [...]
Frasers bid for Hugo Boss ‘more compelling’ amid turnaround June 23, 2026 The €2bn bid for Hugo Boss launched by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has become “more compelling” as the German fashion house’s near-term outlook softens, analysts have said. The takeover offer, tabled by the FTSE 250 firm earlier this month, proposed to exchange €38 per share for the equity in Hugo Boss it does not already [...]
Blow to AIM as pawnbroker Ramsdens snapped up by US giant for £206m June 23, 2026 Pawnbroker Ramsdens has been snapped up by a US giant in a move that will lead to the firm dropping off London’ junior stock market. The deal – with Nasdaq-listed Firstcash – valued the retailer at a cool £206m, whilst shareholders are set to receive up to 609p per share as part of the tie-up. [...]
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 [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 finishes higher as US-Iran talks progress and Starmer resigns; Space X shares fall after bond sale June 22, 2026 Welcome back to the Morning Wire liveblog. Markets are set to start off the new week facing renewed threats on both the domestic and geopolitical front. Over the weekend, fractures that were forming in the US-Iran peace deal burst wide open after Iran’s top military command said it shut the Strait of Hormuz after “violations” [...]
Retail sales jump as third-warmest May on record sends Brits to the high street June 19, 2026 UK retail sales climbed in May, as consumers flocked back to the high street amid the heatwave and showed sustained demand for new electronic products. Retail sales volumes are estimated to have increased by 1.2 per cent in May, following a 1 per cent fall in April as fears over the Iran war caused Brits [...]
High streets score big after England World Cup win June 18, 2026 British retailers are celebrating England’s opening World Cup victory after football fever boosted high street footfall. High street retailers scored an 8.6 per cent increase in footfall, with overall footfall across all UK retail destinations up 4.2 per cent, new data from property tech firm MRI Software has revealed High streets became busier during the [...]
Halfords eyes garage growth after wheels fall off cycling boom June 18, 2026 Retail and autocentre giant Halfords will deliver its full-year results next week, hoping to deliver sustained growth after a Covid-era bike boom. Felix Armstrong profiles the FTSE stalwart Head to the very back of a Halfords store, snaking your way round the air fresheners, tents, brake fluid and torches, and you will find the bike [...]