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B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher has posted a buoyant set of results for the half year, signalling a “renaissance” for the home improvements sector according to analysts. Despite the uncertainty caused to the economy by the Brexit vote, Kingfisher reported a sales rise of 2.7% with retail profits up 8.7%...

Mary-Kate Campbell, the ex-buying director at BHS has joined Asda as senior buying director for George. Ms Campbell has replaced Helen Connolly who now holds a position at Bonmarche as chief executive. Having only worked at BHS for less than a year before the company closed in August, Campbell was at Primark...

It has been reported that online sales in August increased 16% in comparison to last year, with figures showing that the IMRG Capgemeni eRetail Sales Index saw year-on-year sales get to £9.8 billion. In the same month last year online sales only rose 5%. Other figures show that due to the...

Fashion chain French Connection has said that a difficult retail environment led to a “disappointing” first half, despite a wide-ranging turnaround plan. This marks the chain’s fifth year of losses, as a poor performance in the chain’s wholesale division wiped out modest growth in retail sales. The chain closed five...

A new report has found that having a branch of Aldi near to your house can add up to £5,000 onto its value. Research from conveyancing firm My Home Move has found that the “Aldi effect” is pushing up prices wherever new stores are opened across the country, representing a 2.5%...

Mark Crutchley, finance director at Schuh has announced that he will be stepping down after 22 years at the company. Replacing Mr Crutchley will be David Gillan-Reid, head of finance and HR, who has been with the business for 18 years, whilst Sean McKee will be taking over the responsibility for...

Fashion retailer Phase Eight has reported its first full year financial statement since South African retail group Foschini bought it in January 2015. Figures show that sales increased 24% in the 14 months to the 2nd April. Meanwhile EBITDA grew 27%, partly driven by 46 new stores opening overseas, with growth...

Menswear brand Hawes & Curtis has partnered with the Prince’s Trust, HRH The Prince of Wales’ youth charity to create a range of shirts, cufflinks, ties and pocket squares. The proceeds of the sales will go towards funding the Trust, which helps young people get into work, education and training. Hawes &...

Flower delivery empire Interflora has announced the launch of a new range of services including Sunday and evening delivery slots. The group is also trialing a pilot scheme which allows customers to book dedicated two-hour delivery slots between 8am and 6pm. Lyn Davies, director of Interflora Consumer, commented: “Over ten years ago...

It has been reported that fashion and homeware retailer Next has seen a drop of 1.5% in its first half profits, prompting a possible price increase next year and mirroring a similar statement from fellow fashion retailer FatFace. Figures show that profit dropped £342.1 million in the six months to July,...