More finance – Page 2
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FeatureShake-ups, showdowns and sabotage: the stories that defined retail in 2025
Retail Week looks back at 2025. From the cyber attacks that crippled high-street giants, to several high-profile administrations and the splitting up of one of Britain’s oldest and best-known brands, the year was another tumultuous one for the sector
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OpinionExplainer: What revaluation means for retailers’ business rates bills
The rateable values announced in last month’s Budget represent the biggest shift in support for 30 years. They reveal structural tensions, but big retailers should benefit, observes tax specialist Ryan’s Alex Probyn
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FeatureA tale of two Budgets: Mapping retail’s rising cost crisis
Business rates relief for smaller properties offers some respite, but larger operators – including supermarkets – face higher bills that threaten to push food inflation even more. As retailers brace for cumulative cost pressures, how will these economic policies shape the industry?
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AnalysisCross-border commerce: The who, what, where of international spend
UK businesses are increasingly capitalising on international markets to help bolster sales and drive growth, but where do the greatest opportunities lie? Here we explore how retailers are tapping into the growing overseas opportunity
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DataRanking: Retail’s biggest winners and losers in business rates revaluation
Some retailers are facing increases of hundreds of thousands of pounds in their business rates on certain properties, while Harrods’ bill is set to fall by over £1m
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AnalysisThe hungry retailer: What has Frasers acquired this year?
Frasers Group snapped up Swindon Outlet Village last week, capping off a busy year of retail and property acquisitions.
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Chart of the WeekCharts: A disappointing November and Black Friday
Any hopes that consumers were saving their spending for Black Friday seem to have been unfounded, putting added pressure on the run-up to Christmas
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FeatureMerry Crime-mas: What are retailers doing to keep their staff safe over the festive season?
Shoplifting and retail crime continue to plague the industry as cases reach record levels. This is only expected to intensify as the sector enters its busiest – and most dangerous – trading period of the year; the all-important golden quarter
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AnalysisHow shoppers will spend in 2026 and the winning strategies driving sales
Download How They’ll Spend It 2026 for the lowdown on where consumers intend to indulge, where they’re reining it in, and what triggers will convert sales as we enter another economically challenging year
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AnalysisAcquisitions, softer trading and green shoots in luxury – key takeaways from Frasers’ results
Frasers Group reiterated its full-year outlook this week, despite revealing that “tough market conditions” had hit sales within its UK retail businesses.
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FeatureFuture Leaders 2025 - Who will be the CEOs of the future?
Meet 20 of UK retail’s most promising leaders-in-waiting. Every individual on our list has the talent, drive and passion to make it to the top, and they’re going to need it if they want to succeed in an industry dominated by crushing government regulation, devastating cyberattacks, harrowing tales of abuse from the shop floor and more. Here are British retail’s future chief executives, but who would want to be one?
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AnalysisDefiant Leighton sticks to his guns as he vows to rebuild Asda ‘to its former glories’
Even as sales continue to slip, Asda’s credit rating is downturned and its private equity owners turn to sale and leasebacks of stores, executive chair Allan Leighton insists his turnaround strategy is working
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InterviewQ&A: Halfords CEO Henry Birch on the Budget, AI and Black Friday
Halfords has posted growth in both profits and sales, driven by a strong performance from its cycling business. Chief executive Henry Birch spoke to Retail Week about his reaction to yesterday’s Budget, how the retailer is implementing AI and what the consumer sentiment is like ahead of Black Friday
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Opinion‘If the government treats retail fairly, we can help drive the growth the UK economy so badly needs’
While yesterday’s Budget did something to take the pressure off consumers, UK retail director at Primark Kari Rodgers writes that more needs to be done by the government to help retail drive the growth it so badly craves.
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AnalysisWhat’s in the Budget for retail and how has the sector reacted?
Everything unveiled by chancellor Rachel Reeves in today’s [November 26] Budget, and how the retail sector has reacted to it
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Chart of the WeekCharts of the Week: How business rates will change for different parts of the sector
The government confirmed major changes to business rates coming into force next year. Here is what was announced and how rateable values will change
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AnalysisAsos’ CEO on how the fashion retailer plans to win back customers
Asos is gaining momentum with its turnaround plan after it shrunk pre-tax losses last year. With profitability on the up, chief executive José Antonio Ramos Calamonte is turning his attention to restoring revenue growth
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Opinion‘Walmart’s unfashionable focus on long service creates long-term value’
Walmart’s chief executive succession doesn’t fit the common view that fresh blood and multi-company experience trump a career spent in one place, observes George MacDonald
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AnalysisThe City’s verdict as Kroger shutters Ocado fulfilment centres in the US
Is the end nigh for Ocado’s blue ribbon international agreement with Kroger? City analysts seem to think so, after Kroger announced it would be closing three of them overnight.
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AnalysisExplainer: What are the implications of WHSmith’s US accounting blunder?
WHSmith chief executive Carl Cowling has resigned after six years at the helm following an investigation into an accounting error at the flagship US business. Retail Week explores the significance of the latest developments