Waitrose opens its first supermarket in eight years as retail sales dip

Waitrose has opened its first supermarket in eight years, and has confirmed plans for four additional new stores.

Disney's first UK outlet store, described as a "Disney Store Pop Up", is set to open at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks in The Wirral this autumn.

Oak Furnitureland has opened a showroom in Northampton and unveiled new ranges¹. Never Fully Dressed has returned to Selfridges².

Bestway Wholesale has strengthened its field sales operation for independent retailers by appointing 23 dedicated territory sales managers.

BaxterStorey has shared how TUPE opened new doors for Executive Chef Matt Guy, after JCB welcomed BaxterStorey as its new catering partner.

Retailers are being warned over new vape age restrictions. They cover nicotine pouches, strips and pearls, as well as nicotine-free vapes.

New figures reveal a mixed picture for shops. Retail sales have dipped, though food and fuel sales helped drive growth over the summer, despite the September slowdown.

Kering reported Q3 2026 revenue of €3.34bn, stable as reported and down 1% on a comparable basis. It cited lower traffic and softer macroeconomic conditions.

Local shops have welcomed the government's acceptance of recommendations from the Small Business Taskforce to cut red tape.

Experts are warning that retailers are at high risk of cyberattacks. Around 400 supermarkets across France were recently affected by cyberattacks targeting refrigeration control systems¹. InternetRetailing describes a PHP scare as a wake-up call for retail. It follows the cyberattacks on ASOS, Whistles & Hobbs and Intermarché².

Tesco has begun accepting digital vouchers for newspapers via PayPoint's i-movo. This means thousands of newspaper readers can now redeem papers from Tesco stores with digital vouchers and cards.