Ikea UK sales slid in its latest financial year, as it invested further into slashing prices. The homewares giant’s sales dropped 6.8% to £2.3bn in the year to 31 August, which it said was due to its “strategic decision” to prioritise affordability and invest more than £117m into cutting prices. The cuts were focused on some of the retailer’s most...

Fenwick has unveiled its newly revamped and upsized beauty hall at its Newcastle flagship. The space now spans across 26,000 sq ft, and features two new enlarged atriums, 56ft of facade windows looking out onto Northumberland Street, over 1600 sq ft of terrazzo flooring, and a 50-ft long fragrance bar. Fenwick dubbed the new department as a “beauty...

Aldi is set to take on 3,500 extra store workers in the lead up to Christmas as it prepares for the festive season. The discount grocer is recruiting for a range of permanent store positions, including store assistants, managerial positions and cleaners. Starting pay for store assistants sits at £12.40 an hour nationally and £13.65 for those within...

Waitrose has enlisted pop group S Club in its new campaign to celebrate the relaunch of its No1 premium range. The campaign brings together the group’s members Tina Barrett, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, Jo O’Meara, and Rachel Stevens for an after hours trip in the upmarket grocer’s newly revamped John Barnes store on Finchley Road. The ad, which is...

N Brown has swung back to the black in its first half despite falling sales as its digital overhaul takes effect. The Jacamo, JD Williams and Simply Be owner posted a £200,000 pre-tax profit in the 26 weeks to 31 August, up from the £2.8m loss from the year before. It comes despite sales falling 6.7% to £277.2m, dragged down by a 7.9% drop in product...

End Clothing has been acquired by private equity giant Apollo, three years after previous owner The Carlyle Group bought the business. It comes as the luxury streetwear retailer’s lenders and shareholders have finalised an agreement to recapitalise the business, Drapers reported. Apollo helped to finance The Carlyle Group’s purchase of a majority...