Miscellaneous

The latest news

Amazon opens applications for 2024 UK, Europe Sustainability Accelerator

Amazon opens applications for 2024 UK, Europe Sustainability Accelerator

​Digital giant Amazon is again on the hunt for start-ups with unicorn potential “to help solve the world's most challenging sustainability issues”.
Fashion
More evidence of weak retail as Barclays and BRC say fashion has tough month

More evidence of weak retail as Barclays and BRC say fashion has tough month

​And the bad news just keeps on coming. Two fresh UK retail reports on Tuesday added further evidence of February’s retail decline with Barclays and the British Retail Consortium/KPMG both issuing downbeat updates.
Fashion
Hugues Laurençon of The Body Shop France joins Kiko Milano

Hugues Laurençon of The Body Shop France joins Kiko Milano

Hugues Laurençon, general manager of The Body Shop France and Benelux, is to join Italian beauty chain Kiko Milano in May as general manager for France, Belgium and Holland.
Beauty
Liverpool One draws in more fashion brands, White Stuff opens regional flagship

Liverpool One draws in more fashion brands, White Stuff opens regional flagship

​The bright lights of Liverpool One continue to be a major draw for fashion retailers, with operator Grosvenor announcing one permanent addition and two temporary openings for digital-based brands at the city mall.
Fashion
More questions over Body Shop as profitable stores shut, money reportedly 'missing'

More questions over Body Shop as profitable stores shut, money reportedly 'missing'

The Body Shop is back in the news with administrators reportedly looking into claims of money being taken out of the firm before its administration filing, plus talk that stores set for closure were profitable.
Beauty
German perfume retailer Douglas plans $1.2 billion IPO by March end

German perfume retailer Douglas plans $1.2 billion IPO by March end

German perfume retailer Douglas said on Monday it will pursue a 1.1 billion euro (about $1.2 billion) initial public offering (IPO) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Beauty
UK retail sales weaken in February, fashion is worst category

UK retail sales weaken in February, fashion is worst category

​BDO had bad news in its regular monthly High Street Sales Tracker Monday, reporting a fifth month of negative results with total February sales down 1.3% across the fashion, homewares and lifestyle categories.
Fashion
Boots appoints ex-Asda strategy chief to head transformation plan

Boots appoints ex-Asda strategy chief to head transformation plan

​With cost-cutting and restructuring now major priorities, UK health & beauty giant Boots has named former Asda chief strategist Preyash Thakrar as its own director of strategy and transformation, effective immediately.
Beauty
Survey shows back-to-office boosts shopping, price beats eco for UK consumers

Survey shows back-to-office boosts shopping, price beats eco for UK consumers

​Workers returning to their offices are boosting shopping globally and with the UK an international leader in terms of getting people back to their regular commute, that’s key for the health of the retail sector. 
Fashion
UK's M&S wins court challenge over blocked Marble Arch store plan

UK's M&S wins court challenge over blocked Marble Arch store plan

The British government's decision to block retailer Marks & Spencer from rebuilding its flagship store in Marble Arch in central London was unlawful, the High Court ruled on Friday.
Fashion
O2 gets off to flying start in 2024 as outlet shopping continues to hit the spot

O2 gets off to flying start in 2024 as outlet shopping continues to hit the spot

​London’s O2 mall has got off to what it says is its strongest ever start to the year “with stellar results through January and February, resulting in the destination expecting to top 2023’s record-breaking year”.
Fashion
Rain stops retail play as footfall drops again, London falls most says BRC

Rain stops retail play as footfall drops again, London falls most says BRC

​After MRI Software’s downbeat assessment of UK February retail footfall, now the British Retail Consortium has come out with an even more grim set of figures.
Fashion
Beiersdorf expects sales to slow down in 2024

Beiersdorf expects sales to slow down in 2024

Nivea maker Beiersdorf on Thursday forecast growth in organic sales to slow down to a mid-single-digit percentage range in 2024, after reporting a 10.8% organic sales increase in the past year.
Beauty
Dove campaign tackles ‘absurdity’ of young girls adopting anti-ageing skincare regimes

Dove campaign tackles ‘absurdity’ of young girls adopting anti-ageing skincare regimes

Young girls are increasingly being exposed to adult skincare content, and it's creating societal pressure for them to adopt unnecessary anti-ageing skincare regimens before they've even grown up.
Beauty
Vibrant city centre shopping lifts Hammerson to a record year

Vibrant city centre shopping lifts Hammerson to a record year

​With its city centre destinations “in high demand”, landlord Hammerson reported a record year of leasing Thursday, leading to an 11% rise in adjusted earnings to 31 December 2023.
Fashion
West End's a hit for Shaftesbury Capital as it sees major full-year gains

West End's a hit for Shaftesbury Capital as it sees major full-year gains

What better way to open a year-end results statement. Shaftesbury Capital’s chief exec Ian Hawksworth said Thursday: “It's been an excellent start [for us] with positive metrics delivered across the business”.
Fashion