MINISO LAND heads for Oxford Street as JD Group names two senior leaders
A London flagship plan, new leadership at JD Group and a £40m Surrey parade deal lead a day otherwise full of seasonal ranges.
In brief
- MINISO is set to open its first UK MINISO LAND store, a 19,000 sq ft flagship at 363 Oxford Street in London Completely Retail.
- At JD Group, John Mersho becomes President & CEO for JD North America and Mike Grimes takes the position of Group CMO JD Sports.
- UK beauty retailer Space NK is the latest brand to join the line-up at Castlepoint Retail Times.
- Mago Capital has acquired a Waitrose-anchored mixed-use parade in Cobham, Surrey, for £40m Completely Retail.
- Smiths News doesn't rule out retailers paying two sets of carrier charges, with the changes set to begin in July 2027 Better Retailing.
Stores and openings
On Oxford Street, the global lifestyle brand MINISO plans a 19,000 sq ft flagship at number 363. It will be its first MINISO LAND store in the UK Completely Retail. Space NK is joining the line-up at Castlepoint Retail Times.
Beauty drew crowds in London too. On Friday 16 October, shoppers queued round the block on the Strand for SEPHORiA London, hoping for a sneak peek at the latest Sephora beauty brands and trends Retail Gazette.
Jobs and people
JD Group says it has strengthened its leadership team. John Mersho becomes President & CEO for JD North America, and Mike Grimes takes the position of Group CMO JD Sports.
Shepherd Neame, Britain's oldest brewer, is celebrating a number of accolades received throughout October. They recognise the quality of its beers and the success of its pubs Shepherd Neame. BaxterStorey's Beverage Battle mixed coffee, cocktails and creativity, with nine finalists competing over three rounds to find one champion BaxterStorey.
Money and results
Mago Capital, a London-based real estate investment and asset management firm, has bought the Waitrose-anchored mixed-use parade in Cobham for £40m Completely Retail. In Germany, the competition regulator has conditionally approved Rewe's purchase of 38 Tegut grocery stores and two properties Retail Insight Network.
Smiths News doesn't rule out retailers paying two sets of carrier charges under changes set to begin in July 2027 Better Retailing. Retail Times reports that this year's Christmas spending is coming with limits Retail Times.
Products and partnerships
Aldi is launching a new Halloween food range on 26th October, including bubbling green cheese and charcoal sliders, from £1.49 Aldi. Its Festive Home range starts from £2.49 Aldi. Aldi has also reminded parents and carers that they can access free mental health support through information printed on packs of its Mamia baby wipes Aldi.
In clothing, Tu has expanded its AW26 knitwear collection Retail Times. Barbour and French house A.P.C have unveiled a limited-edition Autumn/Winter 2026 capsule collection Retail Gazette. Charles Tyrwhitt is celebrating 40 years Retail Times.
Co-op Wholesale has launched its furthest reaching Spring/Summer pre-sell to date Retail Times. Ritter Sport is bringing new options to meal deals across Tesco and Asda Express Retail Times.
Our take
There are 19,527 live jobs on TRAP today, including 645 at Aldi, 59 at Shepherd Neame and 5 at BaxterStorey. If you have an interview coming up, it helps to know a retailer's latest news. Aldi's Halloween and Festive Home ranges and the new openings in today's stories are good examples. That kind of knowledge shows a genuine interest in the business and its customers.
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