Retail Week
Ben Cooper

Ben Cooper covers property and human resources for Retail Week.

Irish property market: Slow road to recovery

16-May-2012
The property crash in Ireland has been followed by some recovery, but retailers believe that rental values are still too high and further improvements are being stalled.
Restaurant revolution for property development

1-May-2012
Catering used to be a footnote in shopping centre development, but now it’s as vital as the stores themselves as restaurants and cafes start to think like retailers.
Trinity Leeds: A new heart of the city

25-Apr-2012
Big property developments have all but ground to a halt. Next year only one major shopping centre scheme will open – Trinity Leeds. Ben Cooper takes a tour and assesses its prospects.
The London retail property scene

24-Feb-2012
Big changes are happening in London – both short and long term – and retailing is having to adapt. Ben Cooper reports on the capital’s new up-and-coming shopping areas.
Stores that click all of the boxes

29-Nov-2011
Multichannel has transformed shopping and forced big changes to the way retailers and landlords do business. Ben Cooper finds out how multichannel is revolutionising the out-of-town market.
Co-buying shopping sites

October 7 2011
There’s been a raft of co-buying sites launched recently, encouraging shoppers to use collective buying power to get discounts. Should retailers embrace the trend?
Play.com

September 30 2011
The low-price purchase of Play.com by Japanese online investor Rakuten has raised doubts about the brand’s success
Walmart gives Cheesewright new role overseeing UK

29-Sep-2011
Former Asda chief operating officer David Cheesewright has been appointed to a new senior role at Walmart which includes oversight of the UK business.
Riot-hit furniture store House of Reeves to be rebuilt

28-Sep-2011
The family–run Croydon furniture business devastated by a blaze during rioting in August is preparing to apply for planning permission to build a new store on the same site.
Retailers to press Scottish Government on supermarket levy

28-Sep-2011
Retailers will meet with Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead this morning as they tackle the proposed levy to increase business rates for large retailers of alcohol and tobacco in Scotland.
M&S fined £1m for asbestos breaches

27-Sep-2011
Marks & Spencer has been fined £1 million at Bournemouth Crown Court today after being found guilty of breaching health and safety laws governing the use of asbestos in 2006.
B&Q launches mobile site

27-Sep-2011
DIY retailer B&Q has today launched a mobile transactional website in a move to capitalise on growing online sales.
Sales volumes fall in September, but stabilise, says CBI

27-Sep-2011
Sales volumes in September were down compared to the same time last year, with 39% of retailers reporting a poorer month than a year ago, figures from the CBI reveal.
Record squeeze on family spending power in August, says Asda Income Tracker

27-Sep-2011
Sustained inflation and the rising cost of fuel, gas and electricity have forced the sharpest decline in family spending power on record, the Asda Income tracker has revealed.
M and M Direct boss Steve Robinson steps down

26-Sep-2011
Steve Robinson, chief executive of online fashion retailer M and M Direct, has stepped down from his role for personal reasons, Retail Week has learnt.
Poundworld to launch smaller format store

26-Sep-2011
Single price point retailer Poundworld is to open a smaller convenience store format as it continues to expand across the UK.
The Range rolls out new stores

26-Sep-2011
Furniture, leisure and homeware chain The Range is pressing ahead with expansion plans with six more stores due to open before the year is out.
Retail becoming more attractive than university for young people

26-Sep-2011
Working in the retail sector is increasingly becoming a more attractive alternative for young people than going to university, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
In pictures: O2 unveils 'Workshop' format

22-Sep-2011
Mobile phone retailer O2 has unveiled a new format store targeted at business users which includes space for work, meetings and seminars.
Play.com to be bought by Japanese investor for £25m

21-Sep-2011
Entertainment etailer Play.com is on the verge of being bought by a major Japanese online investor as part of a rapid global expansion by the company.
Zara-owner Inditex posts 14% rise in profits in first half

21-Sep-2011
Spanish clothing giant Inditex has recorded a 14% jump in profits in its half year results as it benefitted from expanding into overseas markets and growth in online sales.
Morrisons strengthens marketing team

21-Sep-2011
Morrisons has made two appointments in its marketing division to help it with initiatives such as the roll out of its convenience stores and its ‘store of the future’ formats.
Shop void rates likely to rise, BCSC warns

20-Sep-2011
The number of empty stores on the high street is unlikely to fall and may rise to unprecedented levels, research published by the British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) has shown.
Retailers provided over 40% of new jobs among young people in last year

20-Sep-2011
Retailers provided more than 40% of all new jobs in the UK among 16 to 21 year-olds over the last 12 months, figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reveal.
Does the digital age mean the end for traditional store formats?

20-Sep-2011
As multichannel retailing continues to make rapid progress forwards, Ben Cooper asks if the digital age spells the end for traditional store formats?
Co-op food boss Tim Hurrell steps down

19-Sep-2011
The Co-operative Group food retail division chief executive Tim Hurrell is to step down from his role at the end of the year.
Economic recovery in jeopardy from planning system, say leading retailers

19-Sep-2011
Britain’s economic recovery is being put in jeopardy by a “creaking” planning system which is frustrating investment and excluding many businesses, a group of leading retailers said.
Supermarket planning

August 20, 2010
The humble dormouse could potentially stop a Morrisons store in its tracks, but what can retailers do to prepare for similar planning nightmares?
Mark Elliot’s new owner reveals plans for rapid store expansion

August 13, 2010
The new owner of handmade furniture retailer Mark Elliot is preparing to press ahead with ambitious expansion plans for the chain, which could result in the number of stores doubling within months.
Sir Terry Leahy tipped to take over FA

11-Aug-2010
Speculation is growing that Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy is in line to become chairman of the FA.
JJB Sports shareholder ups its stake

11-Aug-2010
JJB Sports has received a boost after US investment firm Harris Associates upped its stake in the beleaguered retailer to become its largest shareholder.
A vicious circle of high street neglect

February 5, 2010
As our “Manifesto for the High Street” campaign continues, we look at the damage empty shops are doing to our towns with surveys of Wolverhampton and Margate
There is no safe haven from this recession

28-Jul-2009
The theory goes that in a recession shoppers should flock to factory outlets. But today’s news that Hornsea Freeport shopping village has gone into administration bursts that bubble.
Highly targeted, low-cost marketing tools can pay off

July 24, 2009
Highly targeted, low-cost marketing tools can be a boon for retailers whose ad spend is under severe pressure in the downturn. Ben Cooper explores how these alternatives can replace costly traditional campaigns
US denim brand True Religion to open first UK stores

17-Jul-2009
US designer denim brand True Religion is to kick off a European standalone store opening programme with a London opening planned for this year.
Land Securities hopeful of property market recovery

16-Jul-2009
Land Securities, the UK’s biggest real estate investor, has said that the worst of the rout that has swept through the commercial property market may be over.
Too much security could stifle shopping centre pipeline

14-Jul-2009
The BCSC was right to express concerns last week at proposals for the future of shopping centre security being mooted by the Government.
Three retailers sign for space at Wood Green

14-Jul-2009
Two retailers including a new anchor tenant have signed for space at The Mall Wood Green in north London, while a third is moving to larger premises in the scheme.
New anti-terrorism advice could delay retail development, BCSC warns

10-Jul-2009
The BCSC has expressed concerns that an unfair financial burden imposed on developers by anti-terrorist security legislation could cause delays to key retail schemes.
The new ghost towns on UK high streets

July 10, 2009
Towns that rely on a few big-name retailers to drive shopper footfall are being marred by voids as spiralling closures hammer trade. Ben Cooper visits some of the worst affected areas to assess the fallout
Now the UK needs a ban on upward-only rent reviews

7-Jul-2009
There hasn’t been much cheer coming out of Ireland over the last year, but the news that upward-only rent reviews have been banned in the Republic of Ireland will definitely have heartened retailers with stores there.
Boris Johnson hails John Lewis decision to anchor Westfield Stratford

3-Jul-2009
Mayor of London Boris Johnson attended a topping out ceremony of the new John Lewis department store Westfield’s shopping centre development at the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, this morning.
Italy’s Jfour jean brand kicks off UK offensive

July 3, 2009
Italian designer jeans brand Jfour is to open its first UK standalone shop tomorrow and is gearing up for a rapid expansion in this country.
Sales techniques: Handle shoppers with care

July 3, 2009
As shoppers cut back their budgets, the way they shop is changing. So should store staff be adjusting their sales techniques? Ben Cooper reports
Darwinian climate will be good for retail in the end

30-Jun-2009
Looking at the main stories on Retail Week’s property page online you sometimes wouldn’t guess that there was a recession on. Much of the news is what we all want to see more of – good old fashioned expansion stories.
Mobile operator Orange builds larger high street presence

30-Jun-2009
Mobile phone operator Orange is forging ahead with its expansion drive as it seeks to increase its footprint on the high street.
Focus weighs up options for costly closed stores

June 26, 2009
Struggling DIY chain Focus is exploring “all avenues” as it seeks to shake off the £12m-a-year strain its 20-plus closed stores are putting it under.
Newcastle: Retailers’ move to Eldon Square extension leaves voids in existing centre

June 26, 2009
An ambitious project to extend Newcastle’s largest shopping centre is under way, but as Ben Cooper reports, while lettings are going well, the older part of the centre is set to struggle
Scribbler to grow as it eyes cheap deals

June 26, 2009
Card retailer Scribbler is forging ahead with expansion plans that will extend its reach across the UK, despite the gloom in the greetings card sector.
Sainsbury's London office evacuated after fire alert

24-Jun-2009
Sainsbury’s head office was evacuated last night after smoke in a basement room set off the building’s fire alarm.
Four retailers sign for space at Aberdeen Union Square scheme

23-Jun-2009
Four retailers have signed up for space at Hammerson’s Union Square in Aberdeen, the shopping centre project due for completion this autumn.
Asda property development director to leave in autumn

22-Jun-2009
Asda property development director Rob Swyer is to leave the retailer after 10 years’ service.
Streets of shame

June 19, 2009
Some of the UK’s most celebrated streets are a shadow of their former selves. And while the recession is partly to blame, other factors are at work. Retail Week looks at why three of the UK’s most prestigious retail locations have taken a turn for the worse and if the decline can be arrested
McArthurGlen lands Glasgow Airport deal

June 19, 2009
Outlet mall developer McArthurGlen has unveiled plans for its first UK airport operation, in Glasgow, and is in talks to secure a further wave of sites across the country.
LK Bennett to launch new concept store at Bluewater

17-Jun-2009
Footwear and fashion brand LK Bennett is to launch a new format store at Bluewater as a precursor to a wider roll-out across the country.
CBI: rejection of business rates amendment ‘will damage local economies’

17-Jun-2009
MPs have attracted criticism for rejecting amendments to a bill designed to protect businesses’ right to veto business rates levies.
Mike Hussey to leave Land Securities

17-Jun-2009
Mike Hussey, head of Land Securities’ London portfolio, is to leave the property giant at the end of the month.
Outlet brand Oswaldtwistle Mills opens second UK site.

17-Jun-2009
Concession operator Oswaldtwistle Mills has expanded its presence in the UK.
The Piccadilly Circus saga continues…

16-Jun-2009
It’s hard to tell what The Crown Estate has really achieved at Piccadilly Circus.
Hollister secures deals to double UK portfolio

12-Jun-2009
US fashion brand Hollister has pressed on with aggressive expansion plans across the UK, adding four more stores to its portfolio, and entering talks for another four to five.
Covent Garden's landlord has plans for rejuvenation

June 12, 2009
Covent Garden’s retail offer has lost its way as it became known more as a tourist trap than a retail destination. Now, its landlord intends to rejuvenate the market. Ben Cooper reports
Criterion Capital and Crown Estate reach compromise in TK Maxx store dispute

11-Jun-2009
The furore that erupted after the Crown Estate refused permission for TK Maxx to open a store in Piccadilly Circus has been resolved in an out-of-court settlement.
Westfield London to cap parking charge during tube strike

10-Jun-2009
Westfield London is offering shoppers all-day parking for £10 during a strike on the underground that began in the capital yesterday evening.
Positive thinking in the property market could be a self-fulfilling prophecy

9-Jun-2009
Anyone who talks about green shoots risks ridicule. But a report published by Cushman & Wakefield and comments from the agency’s head of global retail are among the first encouraging signs that the rate of decline in the retail property market might be gradually easing off.
Cushman & Wakefield: retail property may be ‘past the worst of it’

9-Jun-2009
A leading property agency has said that the market may have passed its lowest point as the rate of growth in high streets voids showed signs of slowing and has even reversed in some areas.
Employee expenses: Who’s picking up the tab?

June 5, 2009
While retailers’ policies may be more stringent than those of MPs, the present furore shows the need for robust rules on expenses. Ben Cooper reports.
New Bay Trading owner enters lease talks

2-Jun-2009
Bay Trading’s new owner has entered into lease negotiations after buying a raft of stores and concessions from the administrator of the chain.
Modus Ventures collapses into administration

29-May-2009
Manchester-based property company Modus Ventures has fallen into administration.
Hello sunshine: tourist town retailers should make the most of more UK holidays

May 29, 2009
The weak pound is forcing many Brits to scrap trips abroad while attracting more tourists to the UK, and retailers in the right towns can take full advantage this summer, says Ben Cooper
Puma to axe all but one UK store as it cuts costs after punishing Q1

28-May-2009
German sportswear retailer Puma is exiting all but one of its UK stores as part of a major international disposal programme.
Land Securities chief given warning about future

26-May-2009
Land Securities chief executive Francis Salway has been given an ultimatum to turn the struggling landlord around or face the sack, according to weekend newspaper reports.
Once again, landlords are stuck between a rock and a hard place

26-May-2009
After Stylo and JJB Sports, Clinton Cards placing Birthdays into administration is another sign of the times.
Banana Republic nears deal for second UK shop in Covent Garden

22-May-2009
US fashion retailer Banana Republic is in advanced talks to sign for its second UK store in London’s Covent Garden.
Modus’s Wigan Grand Arcade in administration

21-May-2009
The company which owns Wigan Grand Arcade shopping centre, which was developed by Modus, has been placed into administration.
Clinton hopes to retain selected Birthdays stores despite administration

21-May-2009
UPDATED: Cards group Clinton intends to maintain an interest in Birthdays, despite placing the chain into administration.
Banks’ failure to lend is the biggest block to development

19-May-2009
The BCSC is right to call on the public and private sectors to take a more collaborative approach to planning.
Inflation falls more than expected

19-May-2009
Inflation fell more sharply than expected in April, the latest ONS figures have revealed.
BCSC calls for collaboration to unblock property pipeline

19-May-2009
Retailers are facing a serious threat from a breakdown in the property pipeline unless the private and public sectors take a more collaborative approach to planning, the British Council of Shopping Centres has told a group of MPs.
Michelle Obama is latest celebrity Boden enthusiast

15-May-2009
The US’s first lady Michelle Obama is the latest big name on multichannel retailer Boden’s list of enthusiasts, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Decathlon targets UK with smaller format Koodza stores

May 15, 2009
French sports retailer Decathlon is to trial a smaller-store budget format called Koodza in the UK.
Retail bosses back National Skills Academy for Retail

May 15, 2009
Top retail bosses get behind launch of National Skills Academy for Retail. Ben Cooper reports
St David’s in Cardiff: right scheme, wrong time

May 15, 2009
Launching a shopping centre extension in the present climate is a tough task, but as Ben Cooper reports, St David’s in Cardiff should stand up to the challenge and raise the city’s retail profile
Government still not doing enough to protect town centres, says ACS chief

12-May-2009
The Association of Convenience Stores has warned a group of MPs that there is “still much to achieve” in supporting town centres.
Sainsbury’s takes former Woolworths store in Henley-on-Thames

12-May-2009
Sainsbury’s is set to open up a shop in the former Woolworths store in Henley-on-Thames to trade its convenience store format.
Westfield service charge dispute progressing slower than hoped

12-May-2009
A dispute between Westfield and a group of retailers including Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and Boots over service charge levels is ongoing despite indications from the Australian developer that a reduction was imminent.
Temporary store opens in former Zavvi unit on Oxford Street

12-May-2009
Clothing label Hyper Hyper has opened a temporary store in the former Zavvi unit at the East end of Oxford Street.
John Lewis’s plan B could become retail’s plan A

12-May-2009
Call it pragmatism or call it a compromise, but John Lewis’s venture into standalone home and electricals stores is a sign of quite how far retailers are having to move away from their well-trodden paths property-wise.
Forever 21 closes in on UK debut on Oxford Street

12-May-2009
US fashion retailer Forever 21 is understood to have made offers on two stores on Oxford Street as part of plans for European expansion.
John Lewis to launch standalone home and electricals format

7-May-2009
John Lewis is to open standalone homewares and electricals stores in a bid to gain greater coverage of the UK market.
Land Securities plan for retail startups shows imaginative thinking

5-May-2009
Land Securities should be applauded for its plan to back start-up and expanding retailers — it’s a rare example of landlords and retailers working together.
Sports Direct proposes offloading stores to counter competition concerns

1-May-2009
An offer by Sports Direct to sell stores in five local areas as part of its acquisition of 31 JJB shops is being considered by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
Land Securities to back start-up retailers with capital venture company

1-May-2009
Land Securities is investing £5m in a venture capital company to back new and expanding retailers.
JJB Sports CVA hailed as ‘sea change’ in retailer-landlord relations

1-May-2009
JJB Sports executive director Peter Williams said the approval of its company voluntary arrangement marks a “sea change” in the relationship between retailers and landlords.
Dutch fashion player chases Piccadilly Circus site

May 1, 2009
Dutch fashion group The Sting is understood to be one of three retail names to have made offers on the iconic former Tower Records store at Piccadilly Circus.
Top retailers attend launch of national skills training scheme

30-Apr-2009
A scheme that promises to overhaul the way retail skills training is delivered was unveiled last night at an event attended by some of the industry’s top names.
Crown Estate shouldn’t forget how tough things are

28-Apr-2009
Perhaps nobody told the Crown Estate, but the days of snobbery towards value shops are over.
Boris Johnson launches campaign to promote West End business

27-Apr-2009
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has unveiled a campaign to encourage more people to visit London’s West End.
TK Maxx ‘not posh enough’ for Piccadilly

24-Apr-2009
TK Maxx is locked in a bitter dispute with the property company that runs the Queen’s estate over a deal to open a flagship store at London’s Piccadilly Circus after it decreed the retailer was “not posh enough” to trade at the capital’s famous landmark.
Fulfilment: Delivering the goods

April 24, 2009
Home delivery can make or break an online shopping experience, but for many retailers care stops at making a sale. Ben Cooper evaluates the technology at hand for efficient fulfilment
The e-tail recruitment challenge

April 24, 2009
Online retail specialists are in short supply and huge demand, Ben Cooper discovers
Three retailers set to open in Cambridge’s Grand Arcade

21-Apr-2009
Calvin Klein, Kurt Geiger and Jack & Jones are set to open stores in Cambridge for the first time.
Shopping centre security is a balancing act retailers must get right

21-Apr-2009
The news that the averted Easter bomb plot was targeting shopping centres will have come as a sobering reminder to retailers and landlords about how vulnerable a position they are in.
Retailers’ expansion abroad continued in 2008 despite downturn

21-Apr-2009
International expansion by retailers continued throughout 2008 despite the tough global economic climate, a report has revealed.
UK retains position as most international market

17-Apr-2009
The UK has retained its position at the top of the international market rankings.
Men’s fashion brand Boggi enters the UK

April 17, 2009
Italian menswear retailer Boggi has entered the UK market with a store in the West End of London and plans to open at least four more in the Southeast.
Service charges: Lip service to retailers or a plan of action?

April 17, 2009
The 10-point plan to reduce service charges announced last week promised action on an issue that has long infuriated retailers. Ben Cooper investigates how it is going to work in practice
Shopping centre plans for Europe slow down

April 17, 2009
More than 75 million sq ft of planned shopping centre development space in Europe has been axed or put on hold as a result of the global downturn.
Second time lucky for Butlers?

14-Apr-2009
Butlers had all but pulled out of the UK retail scene, but now it is on the verge of reinventing itself and having another crack at the market. Will it be successful?
Opening date set for Bath's Southgate scheme

14-Apr-2009
Multi Development has confirmed the opening date for the first phase of its Southgate project in Bath.
Marks & Spencer signs to Aberdeen's Union Square

14-Apr-2009
Marks & Spencer has signed to anchor Union Square in Aberdeen when the scheme opens this autumn.
Work under way on Oxford Circus diagonal crossing

14-Apr-2009
Work began this week on a project to transform London’s shopping mecca Oxford Circus.
Germany’s Butlers plots UK comeback

April 9, 2009
German homewares retailer Butlers, which offloaded all but one of its UK shops last year, is gearing up to open a tranche of new stores.
Why hard times call for high spirits

April 9, 2009
In a downturn morale can take a hit, but confidence is vital for performance
Now we need real action on service charges

7-Apr-2009
It’s not the most glamorous of subjects, but service charge is one of the areas where retailers have been paying through the nose for decades. Finally, it seems, landlords are willing to have a serious conversation about it.
Asda to build its largest store in Northern Ireland

7-Apr-2009
Supermarket retailer Asda has been given the nod to build what will be its largest store in Northern Ireland after nearly three years of awaiting a planning decision.
Specsavers relocates Leeds store

7-Apr-2009
Optician Specsavers is to relocate its store in Leeds into a unit double the size of its existing city centre shop.
Cardiff's St David's 2 shopping centre adds raft of new retailers

7-Apr-2009
Land Securities and Capital Shopping Centres have added a major wave of retailers to the St David’s 2 shopping centre in Cardiff, taking the scheme to nearly 55 per cent let.
New Look signs for Southgate in Bath

7-Apr-2009
New Look has signed up for a store at the Southgate development in Bath.
Is freezing staff pay a step too far?

April 3, 2009
Ben Cooper weighs the savings to be made from putting off pay rises against the effect on morale
Quantity as well as quality

April 3, 2009
Bath has a strong high-end retail offer but always lacked the larger units demanded by the big high street chains. Ben Cooper finds out how a new centre will provide for the middle market
Retailers and landlords join forces to cut service charges

April 3, 2009
A consortium of some of the country’s top retailers and landlords has produced guidelines for landlords laying out ways they can cut retailers’ service charge bills by up to 20 per cent.
Retailers unconvinced rate deferral is enough

April 3, 2009
Darling’s 11th-hour move only grants temporary relief, top retailers argue
BPF launches website to fight Government over empty rates

2-Apr-2009
The British Property Federation (BPF) has piled more pressure on the Government over the empty property relief laws by launching a website to raise awareness of its campaign.
Quarter day: So far so good

31-Mar-2009
This time a week ago, my inbox was buzzing with emails from lawyers, surveyors, agents and more all predicting a rout in the coming weeks as retailers broke their backs to pay this quarter’s rent. Seven days later, and despite the fear, landlords are making very positive noises.
Council offers free parking on high street

31-Mar-2009
Kensington and Chelsea Council is offering free parking to shoppers every Saturday in April.
Three more retailers on board at St David's 2

27-Mar-2009
Three retailers have signed up for space at St David’s 2 in Cardiff.
Spectre of deflation looms as Retail Price Index falls to zero

27-Mar-2009
The stores sector faces deflation after the Retail Price Index (RPI) fell to zero last month for the first time in nearly half a century.
Middle East gets snared by the slowdown

27-Mar-2009
It’s been one of the development wonders of recent years, but the Middle East’s retail property market has come unstuck
Well-travelled workers have an edge

27-Mar-2009
Working in retail abroad is a sure-fire way of getting ahead back in the UK.
Retailers facing falling March sales

25-Mar-2009
High street sales took a steep plunge in the first half of March according to figures published by the Confederation of British Industry.
Wednesday's quarter day could be the biggest rent test yet

24-Mar-2009
It’s finally here. The dreaded March quarter day is never exactly the highlight of the retail year, but this time it’s going to be especially gruelling for many retailers.
Rotherham council to support retail rent payments

24-Mar-2009
A scheme to encourage retailers to take space in Rotherham has been launched enabling new businesses to have part of their rent paid by the council.
Retail price stagnation sparks deflation fears

24-Mar-2009
Inflation has fallen to zero for the first time in 49 years.
Sir Stuart Rose back in the firing line as M&S confidence plummets

23-Mar-2009
Sir Stuart Rose has come under fresh fire over his position at the top of M&S as shareholder confidence in the executive chairman’s leadership falters.
Robert Dyas calls for landlords to cut rents

20-Mar-2009
Hardware retailer Robert Dyas has asked its landlords for rent reductions as it seeks to cut costs across its store portfolio.
Store draw or damp squib?

19-Mar-2009
Surplus retail space is becoming available throughout the out-of-town market, but will the trickle of overseas interest help fill it? Ben Cooper finds out
Business rates rise is 'complete madness' says Boots UK head

18-Mar-2009
Alliance Boots health and beauty chief executive Alex Gourlay has slammed the Government over its proposals to increase business rates, branding the rise as 'complete madness'.
Business rates raise is 'complete madness' says Boots UK head

18-Mar-2009
Alliance Boots health and beauty chief executive Alex Gourlay has slammed the government over its proposals to increase business rates payments for retailers, branding the rise as 'complete madness'.
Kingfisher chairman Peter Jackson to retire

18-Mar-2009
Kingfisher chairman Peter Jackson is to retire from the company in June, the home improvement retailer has announced today.
Westfield Derby adds four retailers

17-Mar-2009
Four retailers have signed for space at Westfield Derby.
Central London still in a class of its own

17-Mar-2009
London repeatedly proves itself to be subject to a different set of rules than the rest of the retail world.
Shopping centre development ailing in most of UK

17-Mar-2009
London and the East Midlands are the only two regions in the country not to have been affected by delays to the shopping centre development pipeline, according to researcher CACI.
Signet renegotiates loan agreements

16-Mar-2009
Jewellery group Signet has successfully negotiated a new borrowing deal.
Spar managing director: Cheap food price era 'has come to an end'

13-Mar-2009
The days of cheap food prices have come to an end, Spar international managing director Dr Gordon Campbell has said.
West London high streets' identity crisis

13-Mar-2009
Kensington High Street and King’s Road are both potentially vulnerable to the Westfield effect, but the new centre isn’t the only thing changing the landscape out west. Ben Cooper reports
Armani shelves Nottingham store after planning refusal

13-Mar-2009
Armani’s plan to open a store in Nottingham has been thwarted after the council refused its application to alter the building earmarked for its debut.
Delhaize profits exceed expectations

12-Mar-2009
Belgian supermarket operator Delhaize has reported a net profit of €467.1m (£433.2m) in its 2008 results published today.
Trinity Walk on hold as bank pulls financing

11-Mar-2009
The Trinity Walk development in Wakefield has ground to a halt after the bank backing the scheme pulled its funding.
Netto and Iceland join forces to develop stores

10-Mar-2009
Value supermarket retailer Netto has teamed up with Iceland to develop a series of schemes on which both companies will trade from adjacent stores.
Charles Tyrwhitt adds three London stores

10-Mar-2009
Formal shirt retailer Charles Tyrwhitt is to relocate its store on Jermyn Street in London’s West End as part of a series of property deals in the capital.
Landlords should oppose rate rises as well

10-Mar-2009
It’s encouraging to see so many retail heavyweights behind Retail Week’s rates campaign. But one group that’s noticeable for its lack of volume is the landlords.
US luxury brand Michael Kors picks West End for UK debut

6-Mar-2009
US luxury retailer Michael Kors is set to make its UK debut after signing for a store in London’s West End.
Food price inflation hits six-month high

4-Mar-2009
Increasing costs for grocery retailers forced inflation in food prices up to a six-month high of 9 per cent in February.
Zara signs for store in Aberdeen's Union Square

3-Mar-2009
Zara has signed for a store at Hammerson’s Union Square development in Aberdeen.
Animal pounces on raft of shops

3-Mar-2009
Outdoor fashion retailer Animal has signed for three stores, kick-starting plans to expand its UK presence this year.
Councils need to take a bigger hand in boosting the high street

3-Mar-2009
When does a problem for business become a problem for governments? If the business in question is a bank, pretty quickly. But not everyone gets the same treatment as banks.
Retail administrations drive high street voids as high as 15%

27-Feb-2009
Average retail voids have reached 11.2 per cent and are as high as 15 per cent in the worst hit areas, according to a report by property agent Cushman & Wakefield.
Tesco and Asda slam code of conduct proposals

27-Feb-2009
Tesco and Asda have warned that changes to the code of practice governing how supermarkets do business with their suppliers will have detrimental effects on the food retail sector.
House of Fraser mulls fate of old Beatties stores

27-Feb-2009
House of Fraser is understood to be considering options, including disposals, for the Beatties stores it acquired in 2005.
'Son of Zavvi' will only be taking short leases

27-Feb-2009
Head, the entertainment retailer launched by the former boss of defunct Zavvi, has only taken short-term leases on stores bought from the administrator, raising questions over its long-term plans.
Jeweller Damiani lines up UK debut in capital

27-Feb-2009
Luxury Italian jewellery retailer Damiani is set to make its debut in the UK with a West End store.
Theo Paphitis: retail needs to go “back to basics”

26-Feb-2009
Rymans and La Senza owner Theo Paphitis has hit out at the culture of profit-led private equity retail ownership which he says has “damaged” the sector.
Blooming Marvellous bought out of administration

25-Feb-2009
A group of investors including Ethel Austin owner Elaine McPherson has bought Blooming Marvelous from administrators MCR.
Tesco graduates 'among highest earners'

25-Feb-2009
Graduate recruits at Tesco can expect to earn more than their counterparts in all but one other sector, according to the supermarket.
Wyevale completes restructuring talks

25-Feb-2009
Restructuring talks between garden centre operator Wyevale and Bank of Scotland have concluded with the bank increasing its stake in the retailer.
Westfield extension in Northern Ireland to go to inquiry

24-Feb-2009
The dispute over the extension of an out-of-town scheme in Northern Ireland due to be anchored by John Lewis is to be settled by a public inquiry.
Retailers are holding all the cards

24-Feb-2009
Quite how tough things are for those that own property at the moment is becoming clearer with every passing week. Last week’s news that retail’s self-confessed 'Del Boy' Chris Dawson is in the process of building a make-shift portfolio of stores is proof that for landlords, any retail tenant is better than no tenant.
Bluewater sales and footfall up

23-Feb-2009
Sales at Bluewater in Kent were up by 2.6 per cent in January compared with the same period last year, figures released by owner Lend Lease have revealed.
Savers calls on landlords to reduce rent bills

20-Feb-2009
Value health and beauty retailer Savers is seeking concessions from its landlords in the face of losses at the 237-store chain.
Trading Bargains: The Range owner to sell MFI stock in temporary outlets

20-Feb-2009
Retail tycoon Chris Dawson, owner of The Range, has opened a raft of temporary stores under the new fascia Trading Bargains to trade stock bought after the collapse of MFI.
Stoke's East West Centre set for £250m makeover

17-Feb-2009
A £250m redevelopment project in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, has been given the go-ahead.
Swords Pavilions: Chartered Land Dublin scheme edges nearer

17-Feb-2009
Chartered Land has moved a step closer to obtaining planning permission for a o1bn (£894.6m) extension of its Swords Pavilions scheme north of Dublin.
Folli Follie targets sites to double UK presence

17-Feb-2009
Greek jeweller Folli Follie is to ramp up its UK expansion with a string of signings on the cards.
Landlords' vote against Stylo CVA was inevitable

17-Feb-2009
In the end, it was inevitable that landlords would vote resoundingly against Stylo’s CVA proposals.
Sainsbury's and Tesco in clash over Scottish site

10-Feb-2009
Tesco and Sainsbury’s are locked in a bitter dispute over a Scottish plot of land on which both want to build stores.
Cash Generator to top 20 new stores this year

10-Feb-2009
Second-hand retailer and pawnbroker Cash Generator is pressing ahead with expansion plans this year after benefiting from cash-strapped shoppers looking for bargains on the high street.
Another torrid week in retail property

10-Feb-2009
Thursday could be quite a day. British Land’s publication of its third quarter results in the morning is not likely to be the landlord’s finest hour, especially given the turmoil property owners are finding themselves in.
Property Directors Forum: Few concessions

6-Feb-2009
This year’s Property Directors Forum had some heated moments as retailers and landlords thrashed out their mounting concerns. Ben Cooper was there
Westfield retailers unite in outrage at service charges

3-Feb-2009
The dispute over service charges at Westfield London has escalated as more retailers join the fight against the landlords’ demands.
Prupim's monthly rent offer comes with strings attached

3-Feb-2009
The news that landlord Prupim has offered retailers monthly rent payments is to be welcomed wholeheartedly. But the move does raise a number of questions.
International luxury trio to make UK debuts in London

30-Jan-2009
Three international luxury labels are preparing to open their debut UK stores after signing for units at high-profile London locations.
The Northwest: Cracks in the pipeline

30-Jan-2009
The retail development bubble has finally burst and the busy Northwest pipeline has been one of the hardest hit. Ben Cooper looks at the schemes that survived and those that are on the rocks
Top landlord Prupim offers monthly rent relief

30-Jan-2009
Prupim, the property investment arm of Prudential, has become the first major landlord to offer its retailers the chance to pay rents monthly on existing leases without any financial penalties.
Tesco eyes west London cinema for development

27-Jan-2009
Tesco has submitted plans for a mixed-use scheme in Greenford, west London. The development would bring a 59,000 sq ft (5,500 sq m) Tesco and restore part of the listed building formerly occupied by a Granada cinema.
Shopping centre openings propel city ranks

27-Jan-2009
Major shopping centres that opened last year have led to unprecedented changes in the rankings of the UK’s top retail destination, according to a report released last week.
The lines of communication are still open

27-Jan-2009
Those of you lucky enough to be at Retail Week’s Property Directors Forum last Thursday will have seen a truly lively set of discussions unfold.
Jeremy Collins: A bridge between two worlds

22-Jan-2009
John Lewis head of development Jeremy Collins is the new BCSC president. Ben Cooper finds out more about his plans to bring retail and property together.
Strong trading pushes Matalan store expansion

20-Jan-2009
Value fashion retailer Matalan is to expand its store portfolio following a strong Christmas trading period.
Factory outlet sales soar as shoppers hunt for bargains

20-Jan-2009
Cash-strapped shoppers looking for discounts over Christmas flocked to the UK’s largest factory outlet centres, which experienced major increases in sales and footfall.
We live in uncertain times

20-Jan-2009
The year has started with something of an uneasy lull in property circles. With most but not all retailers having reported their Christmas sales, it’s obvious that the last month has brought some mixed fortunes.
Backing UK Retail: The heart of the community

16-Jan-2009
As our Backing UK Retail campaign celebrates the industry’s role in supporting the economy, Ben Cooper looks at how retail developments have revitalised the country’s towns and cities.
Raft of retailers snap up 300 Woolworths stores

16-Jan-2009
Grocers, value retailers and fashion players are among those that have agreed deals to take on Woolworths stores.
Consumers to cut retail spend as debt repayments bite

14-Jan-2009
Retail will be “prioritised downwards” in 2009 as consumers begin reining in high street spending in favour of repaying mortgages and reducing debt, according to research firm Verdict.
Pre-pack exploitations are damaging retail property

13-Jan-2009
Going bust used to be a big deal. The consequences were serious and far reaching, and for the individuals involved it meant curtains, at least in the short term.
BRC slams Government over rates burden

12-Jan-2009
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has published a report this morning criticising the Government for adding to retailers' business rates burdens.
Thriving Cash Generator to expand

9-Jan-2009
Value retailer and pawnbroker Cash Generator has ramped up its store expansion as it bucks the economic downturn.
Happy New Year for retail property?

9-Jan-2009
With an increasing number of struggling retailers demanding more concessions from landlords and the development pipeline drying up, Ben Cooper asks what to expect in a tough 2009
Non-food prices fall by sharpest rate for 2 years in December

7-Jan-2009
Widespread discounting by retailers struggling to woo customers in December has led to the sharpest fall in non-food prices for two years.
High street voids 'to reach record levels'

6-Jan-2009
Vacancy rates on the UK high street will reach record levels by the end of 2009, according to research published today.
Now is the time for landlords to get real

6-Jan-2009
Landlords' rent concessions may be the difference between survival and demise for some retailers
More retail for Canary Wharf in Crossrail plans

6-Jan-2009
Plans for the development of 100,000 sq ft (9,290 sq m) of retail space at Canary Wharf have been given the go-ahead as part of the capital’s Crossrail project.
Liverpool One scores raft of fashion retailers

23-Dec-2008
A raft of fashion retailers are to open at Grosvenor's Liverpool One scheme.
Dublin Central scheme poised to get go-ahead

23-Dec-2008
Dublin City Council has issued a notification of intent to grant planning permission for the Dublin Central shopping scheme.
BRC drafts letter for retailers seeking monthly rent payment

17-Dec-2008
The British Retail Consortium has prepared a draft letter for retailers looking to secure agreements for their landlords to accept monthly rent payments.
Wolverhampton's Summer Row scheme on hold as funding collapses

17-Dec-2008
The Summer Row scheme in Wolverhampton has been dealt another blow with the announcement today that the developer is putting the scheme on hold.
Tesco appoints two non-excutive directors

17-Dec-2008
Tesco has appointed two non-executive directors to its board following high-profile departures earlier in the year.
Is House of Fraser's rent coup really such a triumph?

16-Dec-2008
As usual, the issue of monthly rents has its way of making it into the Sunday papers. The latest “bombshell” to land over the weekend was that House of Fraser had triumphed over the landlords and achieved that most elusive of prizes – the monthly rent deal.
Bristol's Cabot Circus acts as retailer magnet

16-Dec-2008
The positive effects of Bristol’s Cabot Circus are being felt across the city’s retail core, with eight more retailers taking space in the city centre since the scheme’s opening in September.
Next takes anchor spot at Southend's Victoria Shopping Centre

16-Dec-2008
Next has signed up to anchor the newly refurbished Victoria Shopping Centre in Southend.
Germany's Jack Wolfskin plans growth for UK

16-Dec-2008
German outdoor clothing and sportswear retailer and supplier Jack Wolfskin is about to embark on UK expansion as part of its global plans for the brand.
Boots loses landmark service charge dispute

15-Dec-2008
Boots has lost a legal dispute over its service charge payments at the Trafford Centre.
Legislation: Caught up in red tape

11-Dec-2008
It’s been a fraught year for retailers, but is the Government easing or exacerbating their pain? Ben Cooper examines how a raft of legislation is adding to their burdens.
Bailiffs on alert as landlords fear for rents

11-Dec-2008
An army of bailiffs has been put on standby by the UK’s largest landlords as they expect a raft of retailers will fail to have funds in their bank on Christmas Eve to meet their quarterly rent deadline on December 25.
Shopping centre pipeline dries up

9-Dec-2008
The amount of UK shopping centre space in the pipeline has dramatically decreased and could take up to five years to pick up, a CB Richard Ellis study has claimed.
Inflation slows for third consecutive month

3-Dec-2008
Inflation on the high street fell in November for a third consecutive month.
BCSC and MAPIC: The best of a bad situation

27-Nov-2008
The atmosphere at this year’s BCSC and Mapic conferences was unsurprisingly subdued, but there are still some rays of hope for cautious optimists. Ben Cooper reports from the events.
UK property debuts: Safe trip

20-Nov-2008
Making the first bold steps into the UK can be daunting for overseas retailers but getting in on the excitement of a new shopping centre can ensure a soft landing. Ben Cooper reports.
Conference season is not quite the party it was

18-Nov-2008
Conference season is the perfect litmus test for the state of the property industry. So if last week’s British Council of Shopping Centres Conference is anything to go by, the next year will be one of the utmost caution.
Cult Clothing owner steps up UK growth

18-Nov-2008
Fashion retailer Supergroup, which owns brands Cult Clothing and Superdry, is pressing ahead with major UK and international expansion plans after doubling its store portfolio over the past year.
Rent holidays: Survival of the weakest

13-Nov-2008
For retailers staring into the abyss a break from paying rent can be a last-gasp solution but, asks Ben Cooper, is it really always going to be the lifeline they are hoping for?
Kent & Curwen to move UK store as it rethinks growth

13-Nov-2008
Luxury men’s retailer Kent & Curwen has shelved plans for UK expansion two years after opening its London flagship store.
Canada’s Golf Town puts the brakes on UK debut

11-Nov-2008
Canadian golf accessories retailer Golf Town has delayed plans to enter the UK market amid concerns about the faltering economy.
Some retailers can still expand in a recession

10-Nov-2008
The news that Decathlon is one of the names lining up to pick up some MFI stores from administration is likely to be the start of a long line of stories of retailers circling opportunities among weaker players on the market.
Marks & Spencer to anchor Wolverhampton scheme

7-Nov-2008
Marks & Spencer has signed to anchor Multi Development’s Summer Row scheme in Wolverhampton.
Forever 21 in talks for first UK store

7-Nov-2008
US fashion retailer Forever 21 is closing in on its first UK store signing, in London’s Covent Garden.
Westfield London: Centre of London

6-Nov-2008
London’s retail landscape has been altered in one fell swoop with the opening of Westfield London. Ben Cooper examines the mall’s opening while John Ryan assesses its stores.
John Lewis to open first overseas store in Dublin

6-Nov-2008
John Lewis has confirmed plans to open its first store outside the UK in the Republic of Ireland.
Asda property expanding faster than rivals, report reveals

4-Nov-2008
Asda has the highest rate of property growth among the UK’s major food retailers, according to research published this week.
Leeds: Retail space 'over capacity' but still expanding

31-Oct-2008
Leeds is already one of the country’s top retail cities, but with two centres opening in the next four years, Ben Cooper asks if it really needs the 1.5 million sq ft of space that’s on the way.
Zavvi landlord seeks new tenant for Piccadilly store

30-Oct-2008
Standard Life Investments is seeking a new tenant to replace Zavvi at its famous building at 1 Piccadilly in London.
Westfield London opens its doors

30-Oct-2008
Thousands have turned out for the long-awaited launch of Westfield London, which opened its doors at 9am this morning.
More retailers slam empty property tax

27-Oct-2008
The Government has been hit by another wave of criticism over empty property rates, with big-name retailers ramping up the debate against changes brought in this year.
Anthropologie homes in on West End debut

23-Oct-2008
Urban Outfitters’ sister brand Anthropologie is reported to be close to signing its first UK store in the former Wedgwood shop on London’s Regent Street.
Planning process holding up retail development

23-Oct-2008
An underfunded and overcomplicated planning process is holding up the development of shopping centres and supermarkets, costing retailers valuable trading time. Ben Cooper asks how it could be made more efficient.
Amazon cautious about Christmas sales

23-Oct-2008
Online retailer Amazon is expecting an uncertain Christmas for 2008.
Verdict: Retailers facing dismal Christmas

22-Oct-2008
Retailers are facing the “toughest trading environment ever” this Christmas according to research company Verdict, which is predicting the second lowest consumer spending growth in a fourth quarter for 20 years.
Retailers snap up former pub and petrol station spaces

15-Oct-2008
As many petrol stations and pubs fold in the unforgiving climate, canny retailers are snapping up their space for its convenience.
Landlords believe switch to monthly rents is inevitable

14-Oct-2008
Landlords increasingly believe they will have to cave in to retailers’ demands to pay rent monthly rather than quarterly, as a study this week revealed the landlords’ weakening position in the difficult economic climate.
Monthly rents cease fire?

14-Oct-2008
Last week’s coming together of retailers and landlords over the vexed question of rental payment periods was more of a détente than a clash of the titans.
Westfield: Down and out in Derby?

9-Oct-2008
Westfield’s UK centre debut in Derby has been a success, but its arrival has unsettled the rest of the city centre. A year on from its opening, Ben Cooper examines the extent of the fallout.
Bank of England cuts interest rates to 4.5 per cent

8-Oct-2008
Bank of England has unexpectedly cut interest rates by half a point to 4.5 per cent.
Slowing food inflation prompts BRC call for interest rate cut

8-Oct-2008
The rate of food price inflation has fallen for the first time in six months, prompting the British Retail Consortium to call on the Bank of England to bring in an immediate interest rate cut.
Bestseller eyes sites to treble UK stores

7-Oct-2008
Danish multibrand fashion retailer Bestseller Group plans to treble its UK store portfolio by the end of next year.
It's goodbye from them...

3 October 2008
The out-of-town market has had a turbulent year, with several big players falling by the wayside. But there is a new breed eager to fill the voids they have left, reports Ben Cooper
Planning: Appetite for development

3 October 2008
The Government’s latest report on out-of-town planning has raised more questions than it has answered, but if anything is certain it is that the sector must up its game, says Ben Cooper
Westfield tenants angry over ‘nightmare’ charges

2-Oct-2008
Major retailers have criticised Westfield London this week over problems they are facing fitting out their stores ahead of the scheme’s opening at the end of this month.
Bristol Cabot Circus: The circus comes to town

2-Oct-2008
Bristol may be the UK’s eighth-largest city, but in retail rankings it barely makes the top 30. Ben Cooper goes to the opening of Cabot Circus, the scheme about to change all that
Grosvenor opens Liverpool One second phase

2-Oct-2008
The second phase of Liverpool One opened on Wednesday with a ceremony attended by The Princess Royal.
Cabot Circus: Bristol retail scheme opens

25-Sep-2008
The much-awaited Cabot Circus scheme in Bristol opened its doors today.
Edinburgh: A capital idea for Scotland at St James Quarter

25-Sep-2008
Despite Edinburgh’s cultural richness its retail portfolio has long been in the shadow of its neighbour Glasgow. Now an overhaul of its most unattractive scheme is set to give the city the offer it deserves. By Ben Cooper
Blaze holds up shopping centre development

24-Sep-2008
A fire that tore through a shopping centre construction site in Bath has brought the project to a standstill while fire investigations are carried out.
Fire at Bath's Southgate centre

23-Sep-2008
A fire has broken out on the construction site of Multi Development’s Southgate scheme in Bath.
Bolton's Market Place shopping centre unveils £40m retail extension

23-Sep-2008
The extension to the Market Place shopping centre in Bolton opened last week, bringing an extra 96,415 sq ft (8,955 sq m) of retail space and new retailers to the city centre.
Jacques Vert sales slide

22-Sep-2008
Sales at womenswear retailer Jacques Vert fell 7 per cent in the first 21 weeks of the financial year compared with the same period last year.
Jacques Vert sales slide

22-Sep-2008
Sales at womenswear retailer Jacques Vert fell 7 per cent in the first 21 weeks of the financial year compared with the same period last year.
Asda launches online recruitment drive

19-Sep-2008
Asda has kicked off a drive to tempt staff to its stores with the launch of a £100,000 online recruitment campaign.
London rent growth slows as credit crunch bites

18-Sep-2008
London’s position as a safe haven in UK retail has weakened, according to figures published this week.
Redevelopment: Made to order

18-Sep-2008
Vast amounts of new space may have come onto the market this year, but the redevelopment of existing centres is likely to grow in importance as the pipeline dries up, Ben Cooper discovers.
Fresh & Easy workers push for union talks

17-Sep-2008
Workers at Tesco’s US chain Fresh & Easy have appealed to the retailer to organise full union representation for its staff.
Leeds centre snaps up three top retailers

16-Sep-2008
Three retailers have been handed the keys to new stores in the redeveloped Allders building in Leeds.
Retailers and landlords battle out monthly rents debate

12-Sep-2008
Discussions took place between landlords and retailers this week to try to move closer to a ceasefire over the issue of monthly rentals.
Highcross: Leicester living the high life

11-Sep-2008
Leicester’s Highcross centre may have arrived amid deepening economic woes, but the early signs are the city has embraced the scheme.
BRC slams expected business rates rise

9-Sep-2008
The British Retail Consortium has hit out at the Government for failing to protect retailers from extra costs being piled onto the industry following a report suggesting that business rates will increase by 16 per cent from April 2010.
Liverpool’s Clayton Square set to grow

9-Sep-2008
Land Securities has started work on the first phase of investment in Liverpool across two shopping centres in the city centre.
Staines centre submits plans for extension

9-Sep-2008
Elmsleigh Shopping Centre in Staines could benefit from a third phase of extension, following an application to Spelthorne Borough Council by Clerical Medical Investment Group.
Orange begins expansion drive

9-Sep-2008
Mobile phone giant Orange has kick-started its latest phase of store roll-outs in the UK with the opening of its second outlet in Southampton last week.
Urban Outfitters set to bring Anthropologie to Regent Street

4-Sep-2008
US fashion retailer Urban Outfitters is poised to bring its sister brand Anthropologie to London’s Regent Street, sending a clear signal that the UK remains an important European launch pad despite the slowdown in the economy.
Sweat your assets

4-Sep-2008
The quarterly rents debate may still be raging, but there are other ways retailers can work with their landlords to make savings in these straitened times. Ben Cooper investigates.
Signet first-half profits fall

3-Sep-2008
Jewellery giant Signet – the company behind H Samuel, Ernest Jones and Leslie Davis in the UK– suffered a 27.8 per cent fall in profits in the first half of 2008.
Delayed Newbury centre finally given green light

2-Sep-2008
Standard Life and Shearer Property Group have given the Parkway scheme in Newbury the go-ahead after a string of delays following questions over the project’s viability.
Hob snaps up store at Leeds’ Clarence Dock

2-Sep-2008
Culinary retailer Hob has taken its third UK store and its second outside London as part of a raft of signings to Clarence Dock in Leeds.
Ireland’s Pavilions development unveils blueprint for extension

2-Sep-2008
Irish developer Chartered Land has submitted an application for an extension to its Pavilions shopping centre at Swords, north of Dublin, which would significantly increase the scheme’s retail offer.
Debenhams plagued by delayed developments

21-Aug-2008
Debenhams is understood to have been hit by a string of delays to upcoming schemes it is due to anchor as the slowdown hits property developers hard.
Back on the map

21-Aug-2008
Dublin is starting out on a transformation that will give the city centre the prominence it deserves. Ben Cooper profiles the two big schemes set to light up the Irish capital.
Charles Tyrwhitt takes four shops

19-Aug-2008
Menswear retailer Charles Tyrwhitt has continued its aggressive expansion in the UK by signing four more stores.
Tesco lines up property deals worth £500m

19-Aug-2008
Tesco is seeking to continue its sale-and-leaseback programme with a wave of deals that could be worth £500 million to the retailer.
Kurt Geiger snaps up space at Bluewater

19-Aug-2008
Luxury footwear retailer Kurt Geiger has signed for a store at Bluewater.
London sales growth slows but still outperforms UK

18-Aug-2008
Sales growth in central London has slowed by more than half compared with the same period last year, but continues to outstrip the rest of the UK.
H&M sales soar

15-Aug-2008
Value fashion retailer H&M has posted a year-on-year sales increase of 15 per cent for July.
Grand ambition

14-Aug-2008
Size and architectural constraints made Cambridge’s Grand Arcade a difficult project and, five months after opening, it is still only 85 per cent let. Ben Cooper weighs up the centre’s success.
Tough times for British Land

14-Aug-2008
British Land today reported a fall in underlying first quarter profits but that rents on its retail portfolio are still rising.
Bitter blow for Oxford as Westgate scheme delayed

12-Aug-2008
Liberty International’s decision to reconsider its Westgate development will hold Oxford back from climbing up the rankings of the UK’s best shopping destinations, according to research organisation CACI.
Westgate – a taste of things to come?

12-Aug-2008
Buried in Liberty International’s interim results last week was a phrase that nobody wanted to hear. The innocuous-looking statement “on hold”, next to the property giant’s Westgate scheme in Oxford, should not be underestimated.
B&Q property chief lambasts landlords for being ‘unrealistic’

7-Aug-2008
B&Q property director Terry Hartwell has slammed landlords for failing to respond to retailers’ needs and said that it will be on their heads if more companies go bust before the year is out.
Liberty International posts losses of £458m

7-Aug-2008
Property giant Liberty International has recorded losses of £458 million for the first half of this year, citing falling income as a result of retailers going bust as one of the key causes.
In for a pound

7-Aug-2008
With value retailing booming amid the downturn, landlords have realised that the discounters they have shunned previously can fill voids and drive footfall. Ben Cooper reports.
Flexa eyes Scottish signings

5-Aug-2008
Danish furniture chain Flexa is planning to expand its UK presence with a move into Scotland.
London Mayor Johnson slammed for cheap rent for indies plan

5-Aug-2008
London Mayor Boris Johnson has come under fire from the retail property industry for his proposals to change regulations on new developments in the capital.
Centres of attention

31-Jul-2008
In the past 12 months a raft of new schemes have transformed the UK’s retail landscape, but the downturn means the challenges they face have intensified. Ben Cooper reports
Let battle commence

31-Jul-2008
As retailers prepare to take on the might of the landlords over the issue of quarterly rents, Ben Cooper assesses what they’re up against and the likelihood of their success.
Decathlon sets sights on 40 stores in UK growth assault

29-Jul-2008
French sportswear retailer Decathlon is preparing to reignite its UK expansion with aggressive plans to ramp up its store portfolio.
Tous to open first UK store on Regent Street

24-Jul-2008
Spanish jewellery and accessories retailer Tous is to make its UK debut on London’s Regent Street in October.
Nike enters Liverpool as it kicks off UK push

22-Jul-2008
Nike has launched its first standalone store outside London at Grosvenor’s Liverpool One scheme and is preparing to open a string of shops before the end of the year.
Clamping down on out-of-town

18-Jul-2008
The Government’s latest report on planning could make out-of-town development more complex as it strives to protect town centres. Ben Cooper investigates the implications of the changes
Best Buy closes in on first stores as UK arrival nears

17-Jul-2008
Central London flagship location also under consideration as retail park deals are negotiated.
Fashion trio barter for lease on South Molton Street site

15-Jul-2008
Three leading fashion retailers are vying for what is set to be one of the most sought-after retail development sites in London’s West End for years.
Forever 21 targets London as it gears up for UK entry

11-Jul-2008
US fashion chain Forever 21 wants to open up to four stores in London to kick off its push into the UK.
A solid anchor

11-Jul-2008
John Lewis is by far the most popular choice of anchor stores among shopping centre owners. But will the effects of the downturn dampen the attraction? Ben Cooper investigates
Government plans out-of-town impact test

10-Jul-2008
The Government is to unveil planning laws today to stem out-of-town developments and safeguard high streets.
Jones Lang LaSalle buys Churston Heard

10-Jul-2008
Property agency Churston Heard has become the latest niche retail firm to be acquired in a takeover by Jones Lang LaSalle.
French lingerie brand hunts for first UK site

4-Jul-2008
French lingerie retailer Soleil Sucré is planning to break into the UK market with its first store opening.
Is out of town out of fashion?

4-Jul-2008
The soaring cost of fuel is hurting consumers and retailers alike, but was Sir Stuart Rose right when he claimed that out-of-town centres are being hit the hardest? Ben Cooper investigates
John Lewis to anchor Leeds scheme

1-Jul-2008
John Lewis has agreed to anchor The Leeds Partnership’s Eastgate Quarters scheme in Leeds city centre.
Belfast’s Connswater to get £6m overhaul

27-Jun-2008
Irish developer Killultagh Estates is to invest £6 million in the refurbishment of the Conns-water shopping centre to the east of Belfast.
Battle on the western front

27-Jun-2008
Westfield London is banking on drawing shoppers from the capital’s other retail hubs when it opens in October, but how severe could the outflow be? Ben Cooper investigates the effect it could have
Nike launches store for Wimbledon

25-Jun-2008
Sports retail giant Nike is debuting a new-format temporary store at Wimbledon this year.
Retail sales continue to disappoint

25-Jun-2008
Retail sales have proved lacklustre for the third month running in June, according to the CBI.
Land Securities gets the nod for Liverpool redevelopment

17-Jun-2008
Land Securities has been granted planning permission for a £100 million redevelopment of the St John’s centre in Liverpool.
Liverpool One notches up 1m visits

13-Jun-2008
Since opening just over two weeks ago, Grosvenor’s Liverpool One shopping centre has chalked up over a million visits, according to the developer.
Retail rents sink to lowest since 1990s

13-Jun-2008
Retail rents have fallen to their lowest level since the mid-1990s and can be expected to decline for a further three years, according to a report published by property consultancy Colliers CRE.
Route to market

13-Jun-2008
Market towns may not be blessed with the same level of footfall as the high street, but, in these cash-strapped times, they can provide some precious stability. Ben Cooper assesses their worth
Italy’s Geox embarks on UK growth assault

10-Jun-2008
Italian footwear giant Geox has kick-started ambitious UK expansion plans.
One step forward

6-Jun-2008
Grosvenor is intent on transforming Liverpool into a magnet for shoppers with its hotly trailed Liverpool One scheme. After phase one’s opening last week, Ben Cooper says it has every chance
The Rock set to be star of Bury town centre

3-Jun-2008
Construction is underway on a £350 million regeneration scheme in Bury town centre.
Tiffany and Mulberry sign for Westfield luxury zone

3-Jun-2008
Westfield has signed two new retailers to the luxury area of its west London development.
BRC’s Robertson voices concern at new local levy

23-May-2008
Retail property experts have warned that legislation due to come into effect this autumn giving local authorities greater control over business rates could make retailers vulnerable to excessive charges.
Leicester: Time to mix it up

23-May-2008
Never one of the UK’s more glamorous retail destinations, Leicester is about to have its shopping offer transformed. Ben Cooper visits the city to find out what is so different about its scheme
Fat Face adds eight stores as UK expansion gathers pace

19-May-2008
Outdoor lifestyle clothing retailer Fat Face has boosted its store portfolio with a raft of new signings as part of an ongoing expansion programme.
Backs against the wall

15-May-2008
With credit drying up and demand dwindling, many new-build schemes are being mothballed. But, as Ben Cooper discovers, the credit crunch leaves retailers in a strong bargaining position
All about Town

9-May-2008
Mixed residential and retail schemes are in vogue with the planners, but present challenges of their own for retailers. Ben Cooper weighs up the pros and cons
Bolton’s Victoria Plaza scheme gains four more

8-May-2008
Bolton’s Victoria Plaza development has secured four additional tenants.
St David’s extension signs seven

6-May-2008
The St David’s Partnership, a joint venture between Land Securities and Capital Shopping Centres, has secured seven new retailers to the next phase of its shopping centre development in Cardiff.
Are you sitting on a goldmine?

2-May-2008
In the past 10 years, sale-and-leaseback deals have become the norm for retailers, and now even the grocers are cashing in on their portfolios. Ben Cooper finds out more
Bluewater tenants call for nil increase at rent reviews

2-May-2008
Retailers at Bluewater shopping centre are demanding that their rents are not increased in their second review at the centre, taking place this year, as trading continues to prove tough.
40 per cent of new space to be shelved report claims

29-Apr-2008
As much as 40 per cent of new shopping centre space could be shelved or delayed because of decreasing retailer demand and the increasing scarcity of finance, according to property agency Savills.
Seeds of growth

24-Apr-2008
When Neil Dixon joined then-budding retailer Julian Graves as a one-man property department, he found the challenge he wanted. He tells Ben Cooper why now’s no time to slow down
Dublin city centre in line for £1bn retail transformation

22-Apr-2008
Irish developer Chartered Land has submitted plans to Dublin City Council for a 1.7 million sq ft (157,930 sq m) retail-led mixed-use scheme that would transform a large part of the city and attract new retailers.
Roche-Bobois signs for The Heart in Surrey

22-Apr-2008
French home furnishings retailer Roche-Bobois is to open its second store outside London at The Heart in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.
King Sturge buys Hamilton Glen

22-Apr-2008
Property agent King Sturge has bought Glasgow-based specialist Hamilton Glen as part of its continued expansion in retail.
Grosvenor sued by Debs over Liverpool launch

17-Apr-2008
Debenhams has launched legal action against Grosvenor in the run-up to the opening of the developer’s £1 billion Liverpool One centre.
Built to last?

16-Apr-2008
By October, all stores and shopping centres will need to be energy-assessed officially before being rented or sold and retailers need to be prepared. But will government legislation be taken seriously if it can’t enforce greener practices? Ben Cooper reports
Celebrations Group plans expansion for card chains

15-Apr-2008
Greetings card retailer Celebrations Group is set to roll out an aggressive expansion programme for its Card Warehouse brand, with 40 openings planned over the next 12 months.
City of gold: Can retailers tap London’s Square Mile?

10-Apr-2008
The City oozes wealth. So, with the Square Mile and Docklands set to follow Canary Wharf by becoming mass-market shopping destinations, can retailers tap into this? Ben Cooper reports
Planning for tomorrow

3-Apr-2008
Decades of physical expansion could slow, but tackling the internet and sustainability are likely to be ever-present themes in 20 years, says Ben Cooper
Planning for tomorrow

3-Apr-2008
Decades of physical expansion could slow, but tackling the internet and sustainability are likely to be ever-present themes in 20 years, says Ben Cooper
Ferrari gears up for UK debut on Regent Street

3-Apr-2008
Italian car giant Ferrari is set to power into London’s Regent Street with the opening of its first UK store.
Altered images

27-Mar-2008
The retail park landscape is changing as tenants put their faith in smaller unit sizes and operators fight the online threat to their businesses. Ben Cooper assesses the state of the market
Retail’s stealth tax

27-Mar-2008
Changes to empty property rate relief laws that come into effect next week have infuriated retailers and landlords alike. Ben Cooper looks at how this could change the face of the retail property market
Grand Arcade opens with a last-minute rush of recruits

27-Mar-2008
Grosvenor’s Grand Arcade centre in Cambridge opened its doors yesterday, with a string of tenants joining at the last minute including Swedish children’s clothing retailer Polarn O Pyret, Laura Ashley and art retailer Castle Galleries.
Test the water

19-Mar-2008
With a wave of overseas retailers homing in on the UK as a base for international expansion, Ben Cooper asks whether they will sink or swim in the volatile retail property market
A happy union?

13-Mar-2008
With a large, wealthy catchment area and a clutch of city centre schemes cashing in on it, Aberdeen’s retail landscape is thriving. But will the arrival of another centre upset the balance? Ben Cooper investigates
Land Securities lines up second Corby venture

11-Mar-2008
Developer Land Securities has submitted plans to build a mixed-use scheme in Corby, which would bring 330,185 sq ft (30,675 sq m) of retail space to the town.
Eden to open doors in High Wycombe this week

11-Mar-2008
Multiplex will open its 650,000 sq ft (60,385 sq m) Eden shopping centre this Thursday, anchored by House of Fraser and Marks & Spencer.
Omega abandons its plans for Regent Street flagship

5-Mar-2008
International watch brand Omega has pulled out of a deal to open its second UK store on Regent Street, after having been in talks about a site there since December.
Send out the right message

5-Mar-2008
As the market gets tougher, landlords are having to become more imaginative to get customers in. But, as Ben Cooper discovers, how the marketing budget is spent can remain a contentious issue with retailers
Gerry Weber to open its second UK shop in Cambridge

4-Mar-2008
German fashion and lifestyle retailer Gerry Weber is to open its first standalone store outside London and only its second in the UK at Grosvenor’s Grand Arcade development in Cambridge.
Shopping centre footfall still in decline

4-Mar-2008
Shopping centre visits fell 1.5 per cent in the 12 months to February 2008, with like-for-like sales consistently dropping year on year for the past seven months, according to a report by Experian.
Westfield London: Centre of luxury?

28-Feb-2008
The much-vaunted Westfield London scheme at White City may have bagged Louis Vuitton for its planned luxury retail area, but can it really draw top-name brands and big-money customers away from the West End? Ben Cooper reports
Thorntons to ramp up its café openings

28-Feb-2008
Chocolatier Thorntons is to ramp up the expansion of its café format, following its stellar first-half profits revealed last week.
Debenhams to anchor Kidderminster scheme

26-Feb-2008
Debenhams has agreed to anchor a new development phase at the Weavers Wharf retail park in Kidderminster with a 32,515 sq ft (3,020 sq m) store.
Arcadia brands sign to Westfield’s scheme in Bradford

26-Feb-2008
Australian developer Westfield has signed a raft of fashion retailers to its shopping centre development in Bradford.
Orange goes on store drive to take on rivals

21-Feb-2008
Mobile phone operator Orange is to ramp up its expansion in the UK in an effort to make its property portfolio more competitive with rival brands.
The right side of the tracks

21-Feb-2008
The almighty St Pancras scheme shows just how much railway retail has advanced, with many retailers making their station debuts. But while the rewards are high, it’s no easy ride. By Ben Cooper
Fred Perry takes Brighton unit

19-Feb-2008
Fashion retailer Fred Perry has taken a unit on Dukes Lane in Brighton to unveil a “Laurel” store, one of two concepts operated by the brand.
Tesco’s the talk of the town

14-Feb-2008
While it may not be the full-line department store some claimed, Tesco’s plans to anchor shopping centres have sent shivers down rivals’ spines. Ben Cooper gets to the bottom of the story
Wild Orchid to launch new UK fascia on Oxford Street

14-Feb-2008
Russian lingerie retailer Wild Orchid is set to continue its expansion in the UK with the opening of its first eponymous store on Oxford Street next month.
Westfield London scheme on course for Christmas

12-Feb-2008
Developer Westfield has confirmed that it is on schedule to open its White City shopping centre by Christmas as it hands over an anchor spot to Marks & Spencer to fit out.
Room for manoeuvre?

31-Jan-2008
At the Retail Week Property Directors’ Forum last week, retailers and landlords thrashed out the issues that keep them divided. Ben Cooper assesses who is in charge in the present climate
Top Piccadilly Circus retail site up for grabs

31-Jan-2008
Land Securities has this week started marketing an iconic site at London’s Piccadilly Circus, giving retailers the chance to trade in one of the most photographed locations in the world.
Sublets banned as landlords control mix at new schemes

31-Jan-2008
Retailers will not be able to sublet their shops in many of the major shopping centres opening this year, as landlords seek to stamp out the practice.
Three quarters of retailers record positive Christmas like-for-likes

30-Jan-2008
Nearly three quarters of retailers recorded positive like-for-like sales for the Christmas period, according to a report published by Deloitte.
Debenhams to anchor Aylesbury scheme

29-Jan-2008
Department store Debenhams has signed to anchor the Waterside shopping centre at Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.
Liverpool One to host raft of Inditex stores

29-Jan-2008
Fashion and homewares retailer Inditex will debut its youth fashion concept Pull & Bear in the UK as part of a raft of units it has secured at Grosvenor’s Liverpool One.
Disposal tactics

24-Jan-2008
As retailing gets tougher, you would expect to see more portfolios of stores being dumped onto the market by retailers. Is a flood of space about to be offloaded? Ben Cooper investigates
Asda backs Government food labelling plan

23-Jan-2008
Asda has backed the Government’s call to introduce a single nutritional labelling system as part of the drive to tackle obesity.
Bite to double store portfolio and head South

22-Jan-2008
Scottish active sports fashion retailer Bite wants to double its store portfolio within two years and push south of the border.
Bristol’s Cabot Circus boosted by signing of 10 upmarket retailers

22-Jan-2008
Bristol’s 1 million sq ft (92,900 sq m) city centre development Cabot Circus has signed 10 high-end retailers.
Paperchase ramps up store growth as sales stay strong

17-Jan-2008
Stationery retailer Paperchase will forge ahead with expansion in the UK, after reporting strong like-for-like sales over the Christmas period.
Wilson Bowden gets green light for Macclesfield makeover

15-Jan-2008
Wilson Bowden has agreed a deal to develop the centre of Macclesfield with a 400,000 sq ft scheme.
On shaky ground

10-Jan-2008
The opening of several major city centre developments will transform cities across the country, while the end of empty property rate relief is likely to send rents soaring. Ben Cooper examines some of the key property issues facing retailers in 2008
Croydon development fails to secure John Lewis deal

10-Jan-2008
Croydon’s Park Place development remains without an anchor store, after negotiations to fill the main space have stalled.
London shop prices up 2.9 per cent in December

9-Jan-2008
Shop prices in London rose 2.9 per cent in December compared with the same period in 2007, according to figures released by the London Retail Consortium (LRC).
Temporary truce

3-Jan-2008
Temporary units in centres can anger permanent retailers – particularly at Christmas. Ben Cooper reports
Red 5 to exit Bluewater in anger over Christmas shops

21-Dec-2007
Gifts and gadgets retailer Red 5 is to pull out of Bluewater shopping centre in Kent after becoming disillusioned about the landlord’s use of temporary Christmas stores.
New kid on the block

13-Dec-2007
No one thought Glasgow needed the Silverburn centre, but now it’s open, how is it faring? Ben Cooper takes a trip north to investigate

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