Business leaders slam Scottish Budget rates relief as 'sticking plaster'
Hospitality and retail bosses warn Scotland's 2026-27 Budget fails to prevent 'staggering' business rates rises. Read why they call for urgent government action.
Category : Search result: retail sector challenges
10 High Street Brands Closing UK Stores in 2026
Britain's high streets face over 150 shop closures in 2026. See the full list of 10 iconic retailers shutting branches, from fashion chains to charity shops.
UK Retail Footfall Sees Biggest December Rise Since 2011
UK retail footfall surged 1.3% in December, the strongest annual uplift for the month since 2011, driven by evening socialising. Discover the festive trends reshaping shopping.
US Mall Exodus: Crime and Economy Hit Towson Town Center
Maryland's once-thriving Towson Town Center sees a rapid exodus of retailers, with Tommy Bahama, Banana Republic, and Wockenfuss Candies closing. Rising crime and economic pressures mirror a national retail crisis. Read the full analysis.
Readers' Top Organised Adventure Challenges Revealed
Guardian readers share their most memorable organised challenges, from cycling the Tour de France route to trekking Kilimanjaro and running the Istanbul Marathon. Discover inspiring trips for 2026.
Cheap as Chips sold to Choice after administration
The beloved discount chain Cheap as Chips has been thrown a lifeline after collapsing into administration. Read how the deal with Choice the Discount Store will save hundreds of jobs and reshape the bargain retail sector.
Record 8,234 US stores close in 2025 as retail crisis deepens
A staggering 8,234 US stores shut permanently in 2025, a 12% rise on 2024. Discover which major chains collapsed and why experts say the 'retail apocalypse' is a myth.
Pep Guardiola's Manchester restaurant Tast closes
Tast, the Catalan restaurant backed by Pep Guardiola, has closed its doors in Manchester after seven years, citing challenging trading conditions and rising costs. Read the full story.
Public sector pay gap closes, pensions remain superior
Official Treasury guidance reveals state workers' pay has caught up with the private sector, with far more generous pensions. Chancellor Rachel Reeves urges pay restraint. Read the full analysis.
Black Friday abuse crisis hits UK retail workers
As Black Friday begins, the Retail Trust reveals 77% of shop staff face intimidation. The charity urges shoppers to show respect with simple smiles and thank yous during the festive rush.
Bunnings Faces Pressure to Ban Dogs From Stores
The beloved DIY chain Bunnings finds itself at the centre of a heated national debate as calls intensify to prohibit pets in stores following a series of concerning incidents. As opinions clash between animal lovers and safety advocates, we examine whethe
Australian Public Service Wages Jump 3.4%
New data reveals Australian public servants are enjoying their fastest wage growth in 15 years, outstripping private sector increases and raising questions about economic fairness.
Primark sales jump 7% amid retail expansion push
High street giant Primark reports impressive 7% sales growth despite inflation pressures, with major expansion plans including new Twinings partnership and US store openings.
Target's Zoom layoff blunder sparks corporate outrage
US retail giant Target faces backlash after conducting mass redundancies via Zoom, with employees discovering their fate through impersonal group video calls in latest corporate misstep.
M&S shares suffer worst day since pandemic
Marks & Spencer shares experienced their sharpest decline since March 2020 after the retail bellwether warned of weaker profits, sending shockwaves through the UK retail sector.
M&S launches major expansion with 20 new stores
Marks & Spencer announces ambitious expansion plan with 20 new stores across the UK, creating over 3,400 jobs and bringing back beloved fashion brands.
Puma Slashes Hundreds of Jobs Amid Economic Pressures
Sportswear giant Puma announces significant workforce reduction of hundreds of positions globally as company faces challenging market conditions and potential EU tariffs on Chinese imports.
Carter's announces UK store closures and layoffs
Popular homeware retailer Carter's confirms sweeping store closures and layoffs across Britain, citing inflation, supply chain issues, and changing consumer habits as key factors.
UK Retail Inflation Crisis: Businesses Demand Budget Help
British retailers warn of persistent inflationary pressures as they urge the Chancellor for decisive action in the upcoming budget to address rising business costs and support struggling high streets.
Tourist tax costs UK hospitality £4.1 billion
New research reveals the devastating £4.1 billion economic impact of the tourist tax on UK hospitality, with businesses urging government action to reverse the decline.
Seasalt to open 30 new UK stores in major expansion
Popular Cornish fashion brand Seasalt is embarking on its biggest retail expansion yet, planning to open 30 new stores across the UK and create 350 jobs as demand for their colourful designs continues to grow.
UK retail sales plummet as consumer confidence hits record low
Britain's retail sector faces unprecedented challenges as sales volumes drop sharply amid rising costs and economic uncertainty, according to latest analysis from EY Item Club.
Target CEO warns of organised retail crime surge
Target's chief executive Brian Cornell reveals escalating organised retail crime is putting staff safety at risk and costing retailers billions annually.
Target Plans Thousands of Job Cuts Amid Stagnant Sales
American retail colossus Target reveals plans to cut thousands of corporate positions in strategic cost-cutting move following disappointing sales performance and changing consumer habits.
Major retailer announces 83 store closures across UK
Another beloved high street name faces significant restructuring as economic pressures force the closure of 83 stores nationwide, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.
Heineken cuts Irish pub estate in strategic shake-up
Heineken Ireland announces significant reduction of its directly-owned pub portfolio, selling 10 sites as hospitality sector faces post-pandemic headwinds and changing consumer habits.
Pizza Hut UK collapses: 68 restaurants face closure
The sudden collapse of Pizza Hut's UK operations serves as a dire warning for Britain's struggling hospitality industry, with experts predicting more casualties ahead.
Tesco Extends Dominance as Britain's Retail Giant
Tesco extends its dominance as Britain's largest retailer with strategic price cuts and digital innovation, leaving competitors struggling to keep pace in the fiercely competitive grocery sector.
Man fails 'unfinishable' Full English breakfast challenge
A daring food enthusiast faced the ultimate breakfast test with a colossal Full English featuring 12 items each - but the mammoth meal proved too much even for the hungriest challenger.
Government's Secret British Gas & Holland & Barrett Deals Exposed
Exclusive investigation reveals how government departments bypassed competitive tendering to award lucrative contracts to major corporations including Centrica and Holland & Barrett during critical periods.
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