Benetton's last UK store expected to close as Mulberry reports 18% sales growth
Today brings one notable closure, strong half-year sales from Mulberry, and a handful of new shops and food and drink openings, several of them in London.
In brief
- Benetton's 16,000 sq ft store at 89 Oxford Street was expected to shut on Sunday after a closing-down sale, although Benetton has not publicly confirmed the closure TheIndustry.fashion.
- Mulberry reported an 18% increase in group sales during the H1 of FY27 Retail Insight Network.
- Miniso is opening its first Miniso Land store in the UK at 363 Oxford Street, London Retail Gazette.
- Hush has opened its second bricks and mortar store, in Guildford TheIndustry.fashion.
- Matalan says orders from its new app rose by 28% year-on-year in September TheIndustry.fashion.
Stores and openings
Benetton is closing its last UK store as it continues restructuring. The Oxford Street site was expected to shut on Sunday, but the closure has not been publicly confirmed by the company TheIndustry.fashion.
Elsewhere, Harry Ramsden's Group has opened its second Harry's Hut location at Frasers Plus Designer Outlet Swindon Retail Times. In the City of London, The Royal Exchange has added Cru '78, a wine bar and retailer that is part of Amathus Drinks Completely Retail. Shaftesbury Capital is set to welcome a flurry of new food and beverage brands to its Covent Garden estate, accounting for just under 10,000 sq ft Completely Retail.
Money and results
Mulberry attributed its 18% sales growth to full-price sales, product demand and international growth Retail Insight Network. TheIndustry.fashion reports that new bag lines and a 52% jump in franchise and wholesale also drove the half, and that the Christopher Kane runway debut landed in its final week TheIndustry.fashion.
An InternetRetailing analysis notes that Poundland's sales are up but asks why it is still fighting for survival. David Kemp, Director at Liquidation Centre, says its uncertain future reflects growing pressure on UK high streets InternetRetailing.
Digital and marketing
Matalan has reported "strong" early results from its new app TheIndustry.fashion. AliExpress has launched Elite, its first free-of-charge membership programme, for eligible shoppers across seven European markets Retail Insight Network. US brand Quince, a $10.1bn manufacturer-to-consumer platform, is bringing its "affordable luxury" model to the UK. It is selling £50 cashmere and £70 linen bedding online only, with free delivery and a 365-day returns window TheIndustry.fashion. Pinterest has named Lauren Ogúndèkó to lead agency sales across Europe Retail Times. The North Face has marked its FW26 Nuptse Reversible Jacket collection with a new in-store concept in Flannels Retail Gazette.
Products and partnerships
Tu clothing at Sainsbury's is introducing four times as many premium knitwear styles for AW26, across lambswool, mohair, alpaca and cashmere Retail Gazette. Aldi has launched its first-ever Cocktail Advent Calendar (£12.99) Aldi. It is also bringing back its Specially Selected Yorkshire Pudding Wrap (£3.49) with two new flavours Aldi. Lush is launching its 2026 Hanukkah range Lush.
Our take
If you work for a business that is closing stores, it makes sense to update your CV early and look at employers that are actively recruiting. There are 19,283 jobs live on TRAP today, including 1,141 at Next, 641 at Aldi and 635 at M&S. New shops and food and drink sites need teams, so if you live near Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Guildford or Swindon, check those brands' careers pages as well as our listings.
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