Why does Asda terrify stock market investors?
Markets could be overreacting to supermarket price war fears as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and M&S shares slide
AI and US tariffs expected to fuel fresh surge in secondhand fashion sales
Use of hi-tech search tools enables shoppers to find items they want, while trade war pushes up prices of new clothes
Ikea to open Oxford Street store in May after 18-month delay
Swedish furniture retailer’s arrival is seen as crucial to hopes of reviving the London shopping street
Tesco, Sainsbury’s and M&S shares take £4bn hit amid Asda price war fears
Asda claims to have ‘pretty significant war chest’ but analyst says it is unclear if it can commit to months of cuts
What next for Mike Ashley’s patchwork retail empire?
The tycoon’s Frasers Group faces a tricky next chapter after decades of relentless deal-making
Price of instant coffee rises by up to 40% in a year for some brands, Which? finds
Increases of at least 8% also found across 11 out of 12 brands in first two months of 2025, compared with year earlier
Asda to invest in price cuts to battle drop in sales and market share
Supermarket chain’s sales drop 1% to £21.7bn despite food price inflation of 3% for most of 2024
European shares reverse gains as trade war fears escalate – as it happened
Donald Trump threatens 200% tariff on EU wine, champagne and other alcohol
John Lewis profits triple to £126m but hopes for staff bonus dashed again
Cash reward at staff-owned group ruled out for third year in a row, with focus on £600m plans to transform business
Nearly one in four Britons have witnessed shoplifting, study shows
Nearly a quarter have seen staff abused as shops say crime is spiralling out of control with 55,000 thefts a day
Poor results at Puma and Zara owner fuel fears of slowing US consumer demand
Inditex shares plunge as some analysts say data suggests falling demand across Americas amid tariff uncertainty
New name but same old struggles for Boohoo
Rebrand to Debenhams won’t solve the company’s issues – the retailer may simply have already had its day in the sun
Boohoo rebrands as Debenhams amid drop in youth labels’ sales
Chief executive says sales figures are down by more than a fifth but its brands still carry ‘significant potential’
Lego to build up digital games plus Nike and F1 tie-ups to keep tweens’ interest
Toy company’s sales rose 13% last year, buoyed by Technic, City, Star Wars and Harry Potter-themed sets
Valentine’s Day proves a gift for UK retailers, as consumers hold back on big-ticket items
Jewellery purchases linked to 14 February give lift to otherwise lacklustre month, British Retail Consortium says