Three AI moves retailers should prioritise ahead of Mother’s Day
By Richard Potter, CEO and Co-founder at Peak, a UiPath company Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and this year it coincides with a shift towards more agentic, [...]
Lindt unveils indulgent new chocolate shop in retail destination, Westfield Stratford
Exactly one year after its Flagship Piccadilly store opening, the Swiss chocolatier expands its UK footprint with its latest chocolate paradise on 20th March, with exclusive products in [...]
North East community groups to benefit from free radio campaign to celebrate 40 years of Metrocentre
An award-winning North East radio station has come up with a gem of an idea to help celebrate Metrocentre’s ruby anniversary -by giving away £100,000 worth of [...]
Victoria Leeds admits Randox Health for regional debut
Victoria Leeds, owned and operated by Redical, has announced that the private diagnostics clinic, Randox Health, has signed to the destination’s Victoria Quarter, marking the brand’s first [...]
WHSmith opens at Extra’s Leeds Skelton Lake Services
WHSmith has opened at Leeds Skelton Lake services (J45, M1), operated by Extra Motorway Service Area (MSA). This is the seventh store to open in its network, [...]
URW and Ingka Centres launch Sustainable Retail Index Association
Industry-first association will develop a coalition of stakeholders to promote a recognised standard for engaging the commercial real estate sector in the sustainable transition of retail Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield [...]
Asda announces Peterborough as first location in 10-store rollout of new George concept
Asda has announced that Peterborough will be the next location to unveil its new stand-alone George concept store, as the retailer accelerates plans to rebrand 10 Asda [...]
Buy Women Built takes over Whole Foods Market High Street Kensington windows to celebrate female founders
Whole Foods Market is proud to announce another landmark partnership with Buy Women Built (BWB), launching a bold window takeover at its High Street Kensington flagship store from [...]
Søstrene Grene accelerates UK expansion as Manchester opening marks 400th global store
Danish homewares retailer Søstrene Grene will open its 400th store worldwide at Manchester Arndale on 26th March, marking a significant milestone as the business continues to accelerate [...]
Festival Place leading the way with new inclusivity initiative
Festival Place in Basingstoke has become the first shopping centre in the UK to launch a new inclusivity partnership designed to transform the experience of disabled visitors. [...]
NOMO’s biggest ever Easter range secures Free From Award wins
NOMO, the free-from chocolate brand, has been recognised with multiple wins at the Free From Easter Awards 2026, marking another milestone for its biggest Easter range to date. NOMO’s 2026 Easter [...]
UK supermarkets show progress on packaging sustainability – but there’s still room to improve
More than half of supermarket packaging scores green under Defra’s recycling methodology, helping to reduce EPR fees 70 percent of the packaging assessed showed no obvious signs [...]
Maki & Ramen noodles its way into The O2 for first London opening
The O2 has announced the opening of Japanese hospitality concept, Maki & Ramen. This marks the operator’s first London opening amidst a growing demand for Japanese cuisine in [...]
Sephora UK signs for first West End location and new store concept on Carnaby Street
Shaftesbury Capital has announced that Sephora UK will launch its first West End store later this year, under a new ‘boutique’ format, at world-famous shopping destination, Carnaby Street. The new store, [...]
How retailers can stay ahead in a shifting market
By Karoline Nader-Gräff, Expansion & Development Director at Ingka Centres Retail is shifting at extraordinary speed. People expect physical destinations to offer more than shopping, they look [...]
Alfred Works in Digbeth now open
Birmingham’s newest food hall opens in Digbeth, featuring 15 independent kitchens, social gaming zones and a cultural events programme Alfred Works, the new 17,500 sq ft food [...]
THG Studios fuses AI-Driven Catwalk with live social commerce
THG Studios, the award-winning creative marketing agency, has announced a significant enhancement to its upcoming World’s First AI-Driven Immersive, Shoppable Catwalk. Celebrating the return of iconic fashion brand Topshop [...]
lululemon announces 100th store opening in EMEA
lululemon has announced the upcoming opening of the 100th lululemon store in its Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) market, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s [...]
Pro:Direct Sport unveils world-first PD:FC concept store in Manchester
Pro:Direct Sport has opened its world-first PD:FC concept store in Manchester, marking the launch of a new flagship retail format for the football specialist. The two-floor, 9,180 sq [...]
The cold chain can’t keep up – smart packaging needs real‑time intelligence
By Ben Ings, Chief Operating Officer at Invisible Systems Recent warnings from the Cold Chain Federation that severe disruption could threaten UK food security and waste billions [...]
February 2026 issue
2025 A1 Buyers Guide
