Author: Sam Allcock

Harrods has relaunched its own brand as a part of its 175th-anniversary celebrations. The luxury department store kicked off with a stationery and accessories collection.The new collection is prominently featured in Harrods’ lower ground floor in the Knightsbridge store.Designs in the collection include features of the iconic Harrods logo and architectural elements.In autumn, the brand will expand to include cashmere and nightwear, with plans for Christmas gifts.According to Michael Ward, managing director, the products aim to reflect Harrods’ high standards of luxury.Harrods has initiated the relaunch of its own brand as part of commemorating its 175th anniversary. This new venture…

Matalan, a notable retailer in the clothing and home sectors, has expanded its range by introducing over 20 new third-party brands.Following successful launches in December 2023 and April, Matalan continues to strengthen its offerings with the latest additions.The new brands span categories including womenswear, menswear, homeware, and nursery products, offering customers more choices.Notable new brands include French Connection, AX Paris, and Totes, among many other reputable names.This strategic move aligns with Matalan’s objective to become a comprehensive shopping destination for modern consumers.Matalan, renowned for its value clothing and home products, has made a strategic move to expand its portfolio by…

Barbour is set to open its first standalone store in Leeds’ Victoria Quarter this summer.The store will be located at 9-11 King Edward Street in a Grade II listed building.This marks Barbour’s inaugural heritage store outside of London, blending industrial design with traditional craftsmanship.Rachel Bradburn, Victoria Leeds leasing director, highlights the area’s appeal to premium brands like Barbour.Victoria Leeds hosts 38 fashion retailers, making it a hub for prestigious brands.Barbour, the esteemed British heritage and lifestyle brand, is preparing to launch its first standalone store in Leeds. This new retail space will be situated in the distinguished Victoria Quarter, a…

L Catterton, backed by LVMH, has agreed to acquire Hammerson’s 42% stake in Value Retail for an enterprise value of £1.5bn.Value Retail’s portfolio includes renowned shopping destinations like Bicester Village and centres in major European cities.The sale to Silver Bidco will generate approximately £600m in proceeds for Hammerson.Rita-Rose Gagné, CEO of Hammerson, described the deal as transformational, enhancing future growth and value creation.L Catterton’s investment history includes significant holdings in brands like Birkenstock and Golden Goose.L Catterton, a prominent private equity firm supported by LVMH, has reached a binding agreement to purchase Hammerson’s 42% stake in Value Retail. This transaction,…

John Lewis has launched a 16-week repair service trial in collaboration with Timpson Group’s Johnsons.The trial is available in five John Lewis locations, including Oxford, Liverpool, and Cheadle.Customers can access services such as mending, restoring, and dry cleaning.Prices for the services range from £10.95 to £99.95, depending on the type of repair.Through this trial, John Lewis aims to gather customer insights and extend the lifecycle of fashion items.In a move to enhance its services, John Lewis has initiated a 16-week trial offering repair and cleaning services in collaboration with Timpson Group’s Johnsons. This initiative is operational in five strategic locations:…

Frasers Group, the owner of Sports Direct, has made a significant acquisition by purchasing Northampton’s independent fashion retailer Thackerays.Thackerays, a staple on Wellingborough Road since 1972, is known for its premium men’s and women’s wear featuring brands like Anine Bing and Paul Smith.This acquisition is part of Frasers Group’s recent trend of purchasing independent retailers, following deals with Aphrodite, John Anthony, and Zee & Co.Frasers Group also recently put Matches into administration, despite purchasing it for £51.9m in December 2023, highlighting strategic challenges.The company’s financial results for this year revealed a slight decline in revenue and retail performance, yet they…

Gardening has emerged as a cherished pastime, captivating nearly 40% of the UK population.A survey by Adobe Express reveals a growing trend in creative hobbies, with cooking and baking leading the way.Despite financial constraints, gardening remains a popular activity, particularly in cities like Sheffield and Norwich.Psychotherapist Sarah Lee highlights the mental and physical health benefits of engaging with nature through gardening.Time constraints and self-doubt are common barriers preventing people from taking up new hobbies.Gardening has firmly established itself as a beloved hobby across the United Kingdom, with 38% of adults partaking in this green-fingered pursuit. According to a survey by…

Selfridges introduces a thrilling new attraction outside its Oxford Street store: a 40ft climbing column inspired by the store’s iconic façade.Running from 19 July to 26 August, the climbing facility is a key feature of Selfridges’ Sportopia campaign this summer.The climbing wall, reflecting a global surge in climbing popularity, offers sessions for groups of up to six people.Climbing has garnered significant attention, partly due to its inclusion in the Olympic Games.Sessions are affordably priced, making it an attractive family activity during the summer holidays.The renowned luxury department store, Selfridges, has added an exhilarating new feature to its Oxford Street location:…

Election uncertainty and poor weather dampened retail sales in June.Retail sales saw a decline of 1.2% in June, impacted by adverse conditions.Textile, clothing, and footwear sectors experienced a 1.6% fall in sales.Online sales of textiles, clothing, and footwear decreased significantly by 5.4% over the quarter.Despite challenges, falling inflation provides a glimmer of hope for consumers.In June, retail sales witnessed a downturn, dropping by 1.2% as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The decline was attributed to election uncertainty and poor weather, which significantly affected consumer footfall and spending behavior.The textile, clothing, and footwear sectors particularly suffered, with sales…

Frasers Group recently revealed a significant financial loss stemming from its acquisition of Matches, marking a challenging period for the company.The company reported a £12.5 million loss linked to its investment in Matches, highlighting struggles with sustained trading losses.Despite an increase in adjusted profit before tax, overall profit figures saw a substantial decline due in part to the Matches setback.Frasers Group initially acquired Matches for £51.9 million but subsequently put it into administration, citing unsustainable financial demands.The aftermath included the closure of Matches’ online presence and London-based stores, as assets were evaluated and sold off.Frasers Group has disclosed a considerable…