Retail News; 19.07.25

From store launches and tech innovation to leadership shifts and new brand ventures, here's everything you need to know from the UK retail landscape this week.

Store Openings

  • Abercrombie & Fitch has opened its newest 6,700 sq ft store at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent.

  • Lululemon has opened its first European airport store at London Heathrow Terminal 5.

  • Cotswolds Designer Outlet has launched to the public in Tewkesbury, spanning 136,000 sq ft.

  • Oliver Bonas is set to open its first outlet store at Portsmouth's Gunwharf Quays on 19th July.

  • Me + Em to open a new 2,200 sq ft store on Manchester's King Street in the coming weeks.

  • Foot Locker unveiled its largest UK store to date at the Bullring, Birmingham.

  • Gymshark has opened its first mainland Europe store in Amsterdam, ahead of launching in Manchester next month.

Leadership Changes

  • Primark has promoted Matt Houston to chief customer and digital officer, as Michelle McEttrick departs to pursue a portfolio career.

  • Asos has promoted Aaron Izzard to chief financial officer.

  • TFG London has named Sally Ambrose as chief product officer.

  • The White Company has appointed Eden Keane as chief creative and innovation officer.

  • JD Sports announced the departure of Helen Ashton as non-executive director and audit chair.

  • Matalan marketing director Charlotte Dewhurst has exited after 15 months.

  • Mango has appointed Helena Helmersson (former H&M CEO) to its board as an independent director.

  • Harrods has named Geoff Weaver as its new chief financial officer.

Business Moves

  • Marks & Spencer will hold prices of its school uniform range for the fifth consecutive year.

  • Clarks is entering the school uniform market, with a collection launching online and in 11 stores on 21st July.

  • Seraphine, the maternity-wear brand, has ceased trading and filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators.

  • Coes has taken ownership of menswear independent Trotter & Deane, following the founders' retirement.

  • &Sons has expanded into wholesale for AW25.

  • Wyse London has launched a second-hand marketplace for authenticated pre-owned styles.

  • Topshop will return to the catwalk in August, ahead of its wholesale relaunch and ecommerce return this autumn.

Creative Ventures

  • Former White Company clothing director Barbara Horspool is preparing to launch new brand Mamu.

  • Former Selfridges head of sustainability Ella Hopton has launched Clique, an AI-powered fashion-swapping social app.

  • Former Topshop head of merchandising Fiona Gaughan joins BrandAlley as trading director.

  • The White Company continues its reinvention under new creative leadership.

Innovation, Loyalty & Digital

  • Marks & Spencer's Sparks loyalty scheme has returned online following April’s cyber-attack.

  • Waitrose has introduced the Waitrose Delivery Pass, a subscription model for online grocery delivery.

  • Mango launches an AI-powered virtual stylist: Mango Stylist.

  • Tesco continues its sustainability push, rolling out solar-powered refrigeration units across its delivery fleet.

  • M&S has become the first UK supermarket to roll out invisible UV tags to track milk bottle recycling.

International & Wholesale Expansion

  • M&S enters international wholesale fashion, with bestselling styles launching in David Jones, Australia.

  • Pottery Barn is set to launch online in the UK this autumn.

Fashion & Culture

  • John Lewis x Rejina Pyo exclusive collection launches to elevate the store’s premium fashion credentials.

Retail Crime & Policy

  • H&M trials bodycams for staff in UK stores to combat rising retail crime.

  • Home Secretary Yvette Cooper launches a “summer blitz” on shoplifting, targeting town centres.

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