Not so many years ago, John Lewis was unstoppable while M&S was in an endless turnaround phase. Today, the situation has reversed and John Lewis is even reportedly thinking of changing its prized ownership structure.

Over half a million UK-wide workers striking on Wednesday was always going to be a massive challenge for retail. And latest figures showed related footfall dipped greatly, according to insight from MRI Springboard.

​When a results release starts with a message to the staff talking about “another very tough year”, you know it’s not going to be good and so it was with John Lewis Partnership on Thursday.

Liverpool One has begun 2023 where it left 2022… on a high. The city centre mall has bucked national trends since the start of the year, with a 16.5% uplift in sales compared to the same period in 2022.

The Spring Budget on Wednesday was never likely to deliver anything big for retail and it lived down to expectations. The industry welcomed some positive general developments but lamented the lack of flagship measures.

​It’s a big news week for John Lewis with its results due Thursday and a new concept store layout unveiled Tuesday. And Wednesday? Just the small matter of a new CEO.

​H&M Group delivered its provisional Q1 sales report on Wednesday and said sales in the three months to February rose a healthy 12% to SEK54.9 billion (€4.3bn/£4.9bn/$5.2bn).

​Inditex’s full-year results on Wednesday saw the Spanish retail giant once again showing why it’s such a dominant force in fashion as sales and profits both soared.

How important is getting customer delivery information spot on? Very, according to a new survey. Some 64% of customers will leave a negative review when their delivery is delayed or when a response isn't satisfactory.

​Severe weather conditions were to blame for declining retail footfall across UK retail destinations last week.Shopper numbers fell 7% week-on-week across the seven days spanning 5-11 March,

​The UK’s spring Budget will be delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Wednesday and retail insiders know what they want to see from it — a relaxation of Sunday trading rules and reform of business rates.

​In an interesting development, Peel L&P has announced that Next is to make its return to Gloucester Quays, the outlet and dining destination in the South West of England. 

John Lewis’s build-to-rent property project is facing resistance and delays. The plan to build 430 flats in towers up to 19 storeys high in Ealing, west London, is months behind schedule, according to local residents.

​A strong list of trading positives for the year had Hammerson feeling upbeat Thursday. Boss Rita-Rose Gagné spoke of a “better, more agile, and resilient business” firmly moving on from the dark days of the pandemic.

Cross-border shopping continues to expand and a new study from specialist ESW shows that countries whose consumers are most focused on brands are seeing the fastest growth in fashion and beauty.

Expansion plans for fashion/lifestyle retailer TK Maxx could centre on London and see smaller format stores. It's understood to have contacted retail property agents with a list of locations it would consider.