Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop near collapse, putting 2,550 jobs at risk Owner Modella starts insolvency proceedings for both chains, saying trading is ‘extremely challenging’
Aldi reports record Christmas sales after shoppers moved to cut festive grocery bills UK’s fourth-largest supermarket’s sales rose 3% with 5.5m bottles of fizz and 500,000 turkeys sold
‘This is business as usual’: boss of bombed Ukrainian vodka maker seeks to expand exports Nemiroff says products still reaching UK chains such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco despite production difficulties
Feeling the bite: is Greggs on a roll or is its expansion overbaked? UK pastry chain has plans for two new factories and 800 more branches, despite sales falling in 2025 and analysts questioning brand’s direction
Waitrose urges customers not to drink Deeside water over shards of glass risk Food Standards Agency issues product alert for still and sparkling 750ml bottles of Waitrose No 1 Deeside mineral water
Is ‘coasting’ the perfect way to enjoy an alcoholic drink this New Year’s Eve? Retailers say appetite for alcoholic drinks that are about half the strength of the traditional versions is soaring
Fashion brand LK Bennett on brink of collapse Clothing chain acquired by China-based backers out of 2019 insolvency applies to appoint administrators
Jhoots Pharmacy chain could face insolvency after Lloyds Bank high court application Struggling company, which has run more than 100 outlets, has been criticised by MPs over claims it failed to pay locum pharmacists
Marks & Spencer launches ‘nutrient dense’ range for people on weight-loss jabs New M&S salads, breads, yoghurt bowls and chicken dinners come as more Britons turn to Mounjaro and Wegovy
Sainsbury’s CEO among business leaders recognised in new year honours Simon Roberts, credited with helping to turn around grocer, made CBE along with former BAE Systems boss Ian King
DIY shops enjoy bumper year as UK property market slows Paint and sofas sell well as Britons are priced out of moving home or undertaking pricey renovations
‘Why should we pay these criminals?’: the hidden world of ransomware negotiations Cybersecurity experts reveal what they do for high-profile clients targeted by hackers such as Scattered Spider
Labour must learn lessons from history as automation hits jobs market Productivity is up in retail and other low-paying sectors as tech replaces relatively expensive humans
The hill I will die on: Online shops, please, I beg – stop with endless post-purchase emails You really want me to review my buy? Yes, it was fine. But that is where I would like our relationship to end, says comedian Athena Kugblenu
No longer ‘unloved’: retailers investing more in physical stores, UK data shows Knight Frank says shopping centres and food stores lead revival as retail outperforms other commercial property