Up-to-date coverage of the latest events in UK retail.
Former Tesco HQ to become ‘urban village’
Tesco’s former headquarters in Cheshunt is to be flattened to make way for a £620m “urban village”.
Inland Homes has secured planning permission to build 1,725 homes, alongside 204,000 sq ft of commercial space and a primary school, at the site formerly occupied by the supermarket giant.
Tesco moved into the Hertfordshire offices in 1973 but moved out in 2016 as boss Dave Lewis sought to cut costs. Around 2,000 of the 8,000 staff based there lost their jobs, while others were relocated to Welwyn Garden City.
John Lewis pilots autism-friendly shoe fitting service
John Lewis & Partners has launched a specialist shoe fitting service for children with autism ahead of the back-to-school shopping period.
Training sessions will be delivered to the department store’s childrenswear and experience desk staff by consultants from the National Autistic Society.
Parents booking appointments will be able to speak to John Lewis staff first to discuss their child’s needs and tailor an appointment to them, by booking out a private shoe-fitting room, adjusting music and even suggesting particular walking routes through the shop.
Stores in Westfield London, Bluewater, Cribbs Causeway, Southampton and Cheadle will be the first to trial the service.