Retail Week
@retailweek.bsky.social
At the heart or retail. The UK's leading provider of retail news, analysis, interviews, data, special reports and events. retail-week.com
"Shoppers are definitely out in full force as we edge closer to Christmas Day."
Retail footfall has increased in the run-up to Christmas as customers shop for festive food and last-minute gifts.
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
Retail footfall has increased in the run-up to Christmas as customers shop for festive food and last-minute gifts.
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
Festive footfall rises as shoppers leave Christmas gifts to last minute
Retail footfall has increased in the run-up to Christmas as customers shop for festive food and last-minute gifts.
www.retail-week.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:26 PM
"Shoppers are definitely out in full force as we edge closer to Christmas Day."
Retail footfall has increased in the run-up to Christmas as customers shop for festive food and last-minute gifts.
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
Retail footfall has increased in the run-up to Christmas as customers shop for festive food and last-minute gifts.
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
In 2025, we saw the evolution of agentic AI, a social commerce boom and ChatGPT seep into shopping.
So, what might the new year hold for retail technology? We asked tech experts to share their insights and predictions on what’s to come in 2026.
www.retail-week.com/technology/r...
So, what might the new year hold for retail technology? We asked tech experts to share their insights and predictions on what’s to come in 2026.
www.retail-week.com/technology/r...
Retail technology: Experts predict tech trends for 2026
What might the new year hold for retail technology? We asked tech experts to share their insights and predictions on what's to come in 2026
www.retail-week.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:20 AM
In 2025, we saw the evolution of agentic AI, a social commerce boom and ChatGPT seep into shopping.
So, what might the new year hold for retail technology? We asked tech experts to share their insights and predictions on what’s to come in 2026.
www.retail-week.com/technology/r...
So, what might the new year hold for retail technology? We asked tech experts to share their insights and predictions on what’s to come in 2026.
www.retail-week.com/technology/r...
An uncertain trading environment hasn’t stopped the retail industry from giving back to communities, customers and staff.
George MacDonald reminds us of just a few examples of how retailers are making a difference.
www.retail-week.com/opinion/reta...
George MacDonald reminds us of just a few examples of how retailers are making a difference.
www.retail-week.com/opinion/reta...
‘Retail’s 12 gifts of Christmas – and beyond’
From keeping the cost of living down for customers to support for all sorts of good causes, retailers' generosity has once again been unstinting this year. Christmas is the busiest time for retailers,...
www.retail-week.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:09 AM
An uncertain trading environment hasn’t stopped the retail industry from giving back to communities, customers and staff.
George MacDonald reminds us of just a few examples of how retailers are making a difference.
www.retail-week.com/opinion/reta...
George MacDonald reminds us of just a few examples of how retailers are making a difference.
www.retail-week.com/opinion/reta...
From cyber attacks and Trump's tariffs to the return of Topshop and the growing influence of Modella Capital, we review the biggest retail news stories of the year.
www.retail-week.com/analysis/sha...
www.retail-week.com/analysis/sha...
Shake-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, ...
www.retail-week.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:55 AM
From cyber attacks and Trump's tariffs to the return of Topshop and the growing influence of Modella Capital, we review the biggest retail news stories of the year.
www.retail-week.com/analysis/sha...
www.retail-week.com/analysis/sha...
Currys chief executive Alex Baldock is confident about the outlook for the electricals retailer - despite numerous headwinds that threaten to derail progress.
www.retail-week.com/electricals/...
www.retail-week.com/electricals/...
Why Currys boss Baldock is confident despite challenges
Currys increased profits and sales in its first half, despite the burden of extra costs from last year's controversial Budget.
www.retail-week.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Currys chief executive Alex Baldock is confident about the outlook for the electricals retailer - despite numerous headwinds that threaten to derail progress.
www.retail-week.com/electricals/...
www.retail-week.com/electricals/...
The publication of the 2026 new rateable values should have brought clarity and predictability to retailers.
Instead, it has exposed structural tensions at the heart of Britain’s retail economy and raised significant concerns.
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
Instead, it has exposed structural tensions at the heart of Britain’s retail economy and raised significant concerns.
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
Explainer: 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 Rya...
www.retail-week.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:41 AM
The publication of the 2026 new rateable values should have brought clarity and predictability to retailers.
Instead, it has exposed structural tensions at the heart of Britain’s retail economy and raised significant concerns.
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
Instead, it has exposed structural tensions at the heart of Britain’s retail economy and raised significant concerns.
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
As retailers brace for the cumulative cost pressures of the last two Budgets, how will these economic policies shape the industry?
www.retail-week.com/analysis/a-t...
www.retail-week.com/analysis/a-t...
A 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 f...
www.retail-week.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:52 AM
As retailers brace for the cumulative cost pressures of the last two Budgets, how will these economic policies shape the industry?
www.retail-week.com/analysis/a-t...
www.retail-week.com/analysis/a-t...
"We talk about doing the right thing in the short term for the long term. You don’t underestimate making sure people are on board."
As Ikea UK boss Peter Jelkeby heads to Germany, he speaks about how shoppers have changed and the learnings he’ll take with him.
www.retail-week.com/people/exit-...
As Ikea UK boss Peter Jelkeby heads to Germany, he speaks about how shoppers have changed and the learnings he’ll take with him.
www.retail-week.com/people/exit-...
Exit interview: outgoing Ikea UK&I boss Peter Jelkeby
As Ikea UK&I boss Peter Jelkeby prepares to step down from his post and take over the lead job at the furniture giant's operation in Germany, he speaks to Retail Week about how shoppers have changed, the moves by competitors that he has envied and the learnings he'll be taking ...
www.retail-week.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:31 AM
"We talk about doing the right thing in the short term for the long term. You don’t underestimate making sure people are on board."
As Ikea UK boss Peter Jelkeby heads to Germany, he speaks about how shoppers have changed and the learnings he’ll take with him.
www.retail-week.com/people/exit-...
As Ikea UK boss Peter Jelkeby heads to Germany, he speaks about how shoppers have changed and the learnings he’ll take with him.
www.retail-week.com/people/exit-...
Our rankings show the biggest falls and rises in the rateable values of properties classified as retailers in this year’s revaluation.
The data shows how mixed the picture is for the industry.
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
The data shows how mixed the picture is for the industry.
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
Ranking: 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
www.retail-week.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Our rankings show the biggest falls and rises in the rateable values of properties classified as retailers in this year’s revaluation.
The data shows how mixed the picture is for the industry.
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
The data shows how mixed the picture is for the industry.
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
It's been another bust year for the acquisitive Frasers Group. Here, we round up its property, retail and brand deals from 2025:
www.retail-week.com/stores/the-h...
www.retail-week.com/stores/the-h...
The 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.
www.retail-week.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:07 AM
It's been another bust year for the acquisitive Frasers Group. Here, we round up its property, retail and brand deals from 2025:
www.retail-week.com/stores/the-h...
www.retail-week.com/stores/the-h...
Feast your eyes on our annual round-up of the UK's best Christmas store windows, featuring Fenwick, Harrods, Kurt Geiger, John Lewis and more.
www.retail-week.com/department-s...
www.retail-week.com/department-s...
Christmas windows 2025: retailers aim to wow shoppers with eye-catching seasonal displays
'Tis the season when many retailers get creative with their windows to help ensure the tills ring merrily over the Christmas period.
www.retail-week.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Feast your eyes on our annual round-up of the UK's best Christmas store windows, featuring Fenwick, Harrods, Kurt Geiger, John Lewis and more.
www.retail-week.com/department-s...
www.retail-week.com/department-s...
We test out Notonthehighstreet's new AI shopping tool that aims to help shoppers find the perfect gifts in time for Christmas.
www.retail-week.com/technology/t...
www.retail-week.com/technology/t...
Test drive: Notonthehighstreet’s AI shopping tool
Marketplace Notonthehighstreet recently launched its AI shopping tool with the aim of helping shoppers find the perfect gifts in time for Christmas.
www.retail-week.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:20 AM
We test out Notonthehighstreet's new AI shopping tool that aims to help shoppers find the perfect gifts in time for Christmas.
www.retail-week.com/technology/t...
www.retail-week.com/technology/t...
Primark's collaboration with Netflix mega-hit Stranger Things is its biggest licence campaign to date.
From cuddly demogorgons to a full-size Vecna, shoppers can head into the Upside Down...
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
From cuddly demogorgons to a full-size Vecna, shoppers can head into the Upside Down...
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
Primark store heads into the Upside Down with Stranger Things collaboration
Primark is inviting consumers into the world of the Upside Down at its Oxford Street East store as it celebrates the final season of Stranger Things.
www.retail-week.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Primark's collaboration with Netflix mega-hit Stranger Things is its biggest licence campaign to date.
From cuddly demogorgons to a full-size Vecna, shoppers can head into the Upside Down...
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
From cuddly demogorgons to a full-size Vecna, shoppers can head into the Upside Down...
www.retail-week.com/stores-and-p...
Matalan has been on a road to recovery. It's planning a relaunched loyalty scheme and app, announced a new CEO, and has just completed a £25m investment in new stores and refurbishments.
We take a tour of the revamped store in Gallions Reach, east London.
www.retail-week.com/stores/store...
We take a tour of the revamped store in Gallions Reach, east London.
www.retail-week.com/stores/store...
Store tour: A look at one of Matalan’s revamped stores
Matalan has been on a road to recovery this year. It is planning a relaunched loyalty scheme and refreshed mobile app, announced former H&M UK boss Henrik Nordvall as its new chief executive, and ...
www.retail-week.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Matalan has been on a road to recovery. It's planning a relaunched loyalty scheme and app, announced a new CEO, and has just completed a £25m investment in new stores and refurbishments.
We take a tour of the revamped store in Gallions Reach, east London.
www.retail-week.com/stores/store...
We take a tour of the revamped store in Gallions Reach, east London.
www.retail-week.com/stores/store...
Reposted by Retail Week
The problem with the thesis (from the BRC and others) that shoppers were "waiting for Black Friday" is that it wasn't true.
1️⃣ Consumers delaying Christmas shopping as confidence falls
2️⃣ AND fewer of them want to buy anything on Black Friday
November retail sales were always going to fall...
1️⃣ Consumers delaying Christmas shopping as confidence falls
2️⃣ AND fewer of them want to buy anything on Black Friday
November retail sales were always going to fall...
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, according to our latest Charts of the Week.
www.retail-week.com/chart-of-the...
www.retail-week.com/chart-of-the...
Charts of the Week: 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
www.retail-week.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:38 AM
The problem with the thesis (from the BRC and others) that shoppers were "waiting for Black Friday" is that it wasn't true.
1️⃣ Consumers delaying Christmas shopping as confidence falls
2️⃣ AND fewer of them want to buy anything on Black Friday
November retail sales were always going to fall...
1️⃣ Consumers delaying Christmas shopping as confidence falls
2️⃣ AND fewer of them want to buy anything on Black Friday
November retail sales were always going to fall...
Reposted by Retail Week
How They’ll Spend It 2026
Me for @retailweek.bsky.social.
It’s a guide for retailers working out just how they are going to convince squeezed shoppers to spend in the last few weeks of 2025 and into the new year. Spoiler: it’s not going to be easy to do so.
www.retail-week.com/customer/how...
Me for @retailweek.bsky.social.
It’s a guide for retailers working out just how they are going to convince squeezed shoppers to spend in the last few weeks of 2025 and into the new year. Spoiler: it’s not going to be easy to do so.
www.retail-week.com/customer/how...
How They’ll Spend It 2026
Around 81% of consumers are "worried" about the high cost of living, and four-fifths say their household spend is up compared to 12 months ago
www.retail-week.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:58 AM
How They’ll Spend It 2026
Me for @retailweek.bsky.social.
It’s a guide for retailers working out just how they are going to convince squeezed shoppers to spend in the last few weeks of 2025 and into the new year. Spoiler: it’s not going to be easy to do so.
www.retail-week.com/customer/how...
Me for @retailweek.bsky.social.
It’s a guide for retailers working out just how they are going to convince squeezed shoppers to spend in the last few weeks of 2025 and into the new year. Spoiler: it’s not going to be easy to do so.
www.retail-week.com/customer/how...
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, according to our latest Charts of the Week.
www.retail-week.com/chart-of-the...
www.retail-week.com/chart-of-the...
Charts of the Week: 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
www.retail-week.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:57 AM
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, according to our latest Charts of the Week.
www.retail-week.com/chart-of-the...
www.retail-week.com/chart-of-the...
In our latest ranking, Retail Week reveals the retailers that dominated the web with the highest number of visits to their online stores over Black Friday.
www.retail-week.com/analysis/ran...
www.retail-week.com/analysis/ran...
Ranking: the 100 most popular retail websites on Black Friday
Thanks to data from SimilarWeb, Retail Week can reveal the retailers which dominated the web with the highest number of visits to their online stores over Black Friday.
www.retail-week.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:56 AM
In our latest ranking, Retail Week reveals the retailers that dominated the web with the highest number of visits to their online stores over Black Friday.
www.retail-week.com/analysis/ran...
www.retail-week.com/analysis/ran...
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.
www.retail-week.com/stores/merry...
www.retail-week.com/stores/merry...
Merry 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
www.retail-week.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:50 AM
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.
www.retail-week.com/stores/merry...
www.retail-week.com/stores/merry...
In this week's Solutions Spotlight, we speak to DHL supply chain managing director of retail and ecommerce, Natalie Frow, about how retailers can prepare for peak and how the use of automation and AI can boost fulfilment.
www.retail-week.com/supply-chain...
www.retail-week.com/supply-chain...
Supply chain: DHL retail and ecommerce boss on leveraging AI, data and teamwork in time for peak
With that in mind, Retail Week speaks to DHL supply chain managing director of retail and ecommerce, Natalie Frow, about how retailers can prepare for peak and how the use of automation and AI can boost fulfilment.
www.retail-week.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:04 PM
In this week's Solutions Spotlight, we speak to DHL supply chain managing director of retail and ecommerce, Natalie Frow, about how retailers can prepare for peak and how the use of automation and AI can boost fulfilment.
www.retail-week.com/supply-chain...
www.retail-week.com/supply-chain...
Despite a challenging backdrop, Frasers Group boss Michael Murray is confident it can deliver profit of between £550m and £600m this year.
www.retail-week.com/fashion/acqu...
www.retail-week.com/fashion/acqu...
Acquisitions, 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.
www.retail-week.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Despite a challenging backdrop, Frasers Group boss Michael Murray is confident it can deliver profit of between £550m and £600m this year.
www.retail-week.com/fashion/acqu...
www.retail-week.com/fashion/acqu...
“London is a global city of huge importance, and Oxford Street is an iconic location and shopping destination for retail."
Puma UK and Ireland managing director Lucynda Davies to find out how its new store aims to challenge the status quo in sports flagships.
www.retail-week.com/sports-and-l...
Puma UK and Ireland managing director Lucynda Davies to find out how its new store aims to challenge the status quo in sports flagships.
www.retail-week.com/sports-and-l...
Q&A: Puma UK and Ireland MD on breaking boundaries with the brand’s new Oxford Street flagship
Puma UK and Ireland managing director Lucynda Davies is gearing up for the launch of the brand's first ever European flagship this week on London's iconic Oxford Street.
www.retail-week.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:10 AM
“London is a global city of huge importance, and Oxford Street is an iconic location and shopping destination for retail."
Puma UK and Ireland managing director Lucynda Davies to find out how its new store aims to challenge the status quo in sports flagships.
www.retail-week.com/sports-and-l...
Puma UK and Ireland managing director Lucynda Davies to find out how its new store aims to challenge the status quo in sports flagships.
www.retail-week.com/sports-and-l...
Our monthly round-up of the latest innovative technology and supply chain tie-ups in retail features Abercrombie & Fitch, Waitrose, Home Bargains and more.
www.retail-week.com/technology/p...
www.retail-week.com/technology/p...
Partnership update: White Company’s 24-hour pyjama delivery, Waitrose’s invisible delivery tags, and more
Welcome to Retail Week's round-up of the latest innovative technology and supply chain tie-ups in retail.
www.retail-week.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Our monthly round-up of the latest innovative technology and supply chain tie-ups in retail features Abercrombie & Fitch, Waitrose, Home Bargains and more.
www.retail-week.com/technology/p...
www.retail-week.com/technology/p...
Retail Week’s look at how Black Friday panned out revealed online was faring better than in-store, there was a midnight rush and searches for beauty and luxury items surged.
Now, we look at how the entire Cyber Weekend performed.
www.retail-week.com/customer/how...
Now, we look at how the entire Cyber Weekend performed.
www.retail-week.com/customer/how...
How consumers shopped Black Friday weekend 2025
A weekend of deals and discounts is nearly over as retailers plan to wrap up the event on Cyber Monday before attention turns to Christmas.
www.retail-week.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Retail Week’s look at how Black Friday panned out revealed online was faring better than in-store, there was a midnight rush and searches for beauty and luxury items surged.
Now, we look at how the entire Cyber Weekend performed.
www.retail-week.com/customer/how...
Now, we look at how the entire Cyber Weekend performed.
www.retail-week.com/customer/how...
"A store shouldn’t just be shelves of products you can order online, it should bring the brand to life."
Trinny London MD Mark Smith tells us about how the store experience and online retail work together, and why it’s taking Christmas gifting seriously.
www.retail-week.com/health-and-b...
Trinny London MD Mark Smith tells us about how the store experience and online retail work together, and why it’s taking Christmas gifting seriously.
www.retail-week.com/health-and-b...
Q&A: Trinny London MD on omnichannel, personalisation and Christmas
While Trinny London is not even a decade old, the beauty retailer has gone from being makeup-focused and digital first, to now focusing on omnichannel with its flagship London store and personalised s...
www.retail-week.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:02 AM
"A store shouldn’t just be shelves of products you can order online, it should bring the brand to life."
Trinny London MD Mark Smith tells us about how the store experience and online retail work together, and why it’s taking Christmas gifting seriously.
www.retail-week.com/health-and-b...
Trinny London MD Mark Smith tells us about how the store experience and online retail work together, and why it’s taking Christmas gifting seriously.
www.retail-week.com/health-and-b...