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A man has gone viral on social media after completing a six-year challenge to park in every car parking space at his local Sainsbury’s. Gareth Wild, from Bromley, south-east London, said he decided to take on the challenge at the Walters Yard location after noticing his preference for certain spots. “For the last six years I’ve kept a spreadsheet listing every parking spot I’ve used at the local supermarket in a bid to park in them all,” he tweeted. “This week I completed my Magnum Opus!” What followed was a thorough mapping of the 211 spots available to him – with disability spaces and motorcycle bays excluded – dividing the spaces into categories A-F. I live in Bromley and almost always shop at the same Sainsbury’s in the centre of town, here’s a satellite view of their car park. It’s a great car park because you can always get a space and it is laid out really well. Comfortably in my top 5 Bromley car parks. pic.twitter.com/Q1CwLdFqJ3 — Gareth Wild (@GarethWild) April 27, 20

Last week, retailers and people alike celebrated Earth day, demonstrating support for environmental protection. As part of a sustainability proposal drive by the government announced last month, non-profit organisation Wrap (Waste and Resources Action Programme) launched Textiles 2030 – a 10 year voluntary agreement to accelerate the UK fashion and textiles industry’s move towards circularity and system change. “Textiles 2030 will help drive this transformation, to shift to greater circularity and innovation in the UK – and help in our mission to build back greener from the Covid pandemic,” Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said. Primark, John Lewis and a host of other retailers have all pledged to reduce their carbon emissions by 50 per cent and reduce the aggregate water footprint of new products by 30 per cent by 2030. The agreement will target three areas: agreeing good practice principles that focus on durability, recyclability and minimising waste, implementing circular bu

Last week, Adidas launched Impossible is Nothing , a new global film series starring a host of famous faces, including Beyoncé, Paul Pogba and Tifanny Abreu, the first trans woman to play in the Brazilian Volleyball Superliga. In a statement, Adidas said that the campaign was “about rebellious optimism, rooted in the purpose from Adidas in the power of sports to change lives”. The home footage documentary series also provided “a previously unseen side to some of the most documented individuals in the world, enabled via a powerful narrative delivered by friends or fellow athletes, and animated via resurfaced footage from the archives”. Several of the films explore the topic of innovative design – reimagining what a world-record beating distance shoe could be with the Adizero Adios Pro, or how to help end plastic waste in collaboration with Parley TV chief executive Cyrill Gutsch. The sportswear retailer added that Beyoncé “saw the possibilities of inviting all of us to find our v

// Aldi eyes possible checkout-free store format with after filing Shop & Go trademark // Comes after Amazon launched two grocery stores in London that do not have checkouts Aldi could potentially be looking at opening a checkout-free store after trademarking “Shop & Go” with the Intellectual Property Office. According to Retail Week , Aldi’s trademarking of “Shop & Go” was linked to new technology investments, including a new store with self-scanning handsets for customers or no checkouts. The details of the trademark are thin, but it comes just weeks after Amazon launched three Amazon Fresh casherliess stores in west London – the first of its kind outside the US. READ MORE: Amazon Fresh launches 3rd UK store in White City Hands On with Amazon Fresh store Aldi launches package-free products trial It also comes after Aldi Süd – the German-headquartered company that owns Aldi UK – placed a call for expressions of interest from tech firms on its website last y

Poundland’s upcoming online launch leaves Primark “standing virtually alone” as the only major high street retailer without an ecommerce operation, according to analysts. Earlier this week Poundland announced that it was poised to launch online “home delivery as well as click & collect in-store” as it trials its new ecommerce operation with its 18,000 employees. The discount retailer is understood to have quietly launched the trial, which offers home delivery to all of its colleagues and “selected guests”, in late February. Meanwhile Primark’s chief executive continued to defend the budget fashion retailers reluctance to launch an ecommerce operation, despite seeing profits collapse 90 per cent to see losses £1.1 billion over the last six months. According to ParcelHero’s head of consumer research David Jinks Poundland’s “eventual recognition that combined in-store and online sales are essential now leaves the discount fashion chain Primark standing virtually alone as a major

// Dobbies opens 71st store in Boston, Lincolnshire // The site was previously a Johnsons Garden Centre before Dobbies acquired it earlier this month // It has been given a refurbish and rebrand Dobbies has officially opened the doors to its 71st store in Boston, Lincolnshire, complete with a new restaurant, pet department and Sainsbury’s foodhall. Previously Johnsons Garden Centre, Dobbies had acquired the premises earlier this month and underwent refurbishment scheme and rebrand. The store offers plants and gardening products alongside a pet department, home and cookshop, books, toys and gifts, plus seasonal items. READ MORE: Dobbies acquires Johnsons Garden Centre Dobbies picks Bristol to launch second Little Dobbies format store Dobbies bucks retail trend as sales reach £252m amid lockdown A new look Sainsbury’s foodhall has also been unveiled in-store, with the wholesale partnership bringing a range of food and grocery products to Dobbies customers. Meanwhile th

// Northern Ireland’s high street voucher scheme to open at the end of the summer if conditions are right, Stormont says // It was initially announced last November following the second lockdown, but was delayed as third lockdown started // Media campaigns will be launched to encourage the public to register for pre-paid vouchers worth £100 Northern Ireland’s high street voucher scheme will open at the end of the summer if conditions are right, the Stormont Economy Minister has said. Diane Dodds initially announced plans to give a pre-paid card to every adult in Northern Ireland last November to boost the retail sector following the second Covid-19 lockdown. However, the High Street Stimulus (HSS) scheme rollout was postponed following a sharp spike in cases in December, which resulted in a fresh and third lockdown that last four months. READ MORE: Non-essential retail in Northern Ireland reopens today Northern Ireland lockdown exit “will move faster if possible” – Arlene

// Superdrug said 86% Brits want beauty retailers to make their advertising campaigns more inclusive // 82% said they would be more likely to buy from a brand if they had a black ambassador // 1000 consumers across the UK were asked for their thoughts on being represented in the health and beauty industry Superdrug has found that 1/3 of people across the black and mixed heritage community don’t feel represented when it comes to shopping for health and beauty products on the high street. As part of Superdrug’s Own Your Beauty diversity campaign, Shades Of You, 1000 consumers across the UK were asked for their thoughts on being represented in the health and beauty industry. The survey revealed that 86 per cent said that beauty retailers should make their advertising campaigns more inclusive, while 84 per cent said that they think a beauty campaign specifically created for people of colour would be a positive step for a beauty retailer to take. READ MORE: Superdrug partners wi

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted that he “loves John Lewis” after facing a widespread backlash on social media and probe into the controversial refurbishment. Reports continued to circle this morning surrounding the lavish redecoration of Johnson’s 11 Downing Street flat, which some reports suggest cost over £200,000. While the Electoral Commission is focusing on how Johnson paid for the refurbishment, stating there was “reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence or offences may have occurred”, social media continued to focus on the PM’s comments regarding John Lewis.   According to a Tatler article on Johnson’s fiancé Carrie Symonds, the pair were desperate to redesign the flat to get rid of the “John Lewis furniture nightmare” left over by Theresa May. When asked about the comments during a visit to King Solomon Acadamy yesterday, Johnson said: “The one thing I object to in this whole farrago of nonsense is I love John Lewis.” READ MORE:   John Lewis hits back at P

// Non-essential retail shops in Northern Ireland finally able to exit lockdown and reopen today // They have been in lockdown for four months Non-essential retailers in Northern Ireland have reopened their doors today in the latest stage of relaxations of Covid-19 restrictions in the country. Under Stormont’s phased reopening plan, outdoor hospitality and all non-essential retail will resume today after four months of closure. The move means non-essential retail in all of the UK has now exited lockdown, after Scotland reopened earlier this week and England and Wales reopened on April 12. READ MORE: Northern Ireland lockdown exit “will move faster if possible” – Arlene Foster Scottish shoppers urged to “spend & keep safe” as non-essential shops reopen Shoppers flock to high streets as England & Wales exit lockdown As with the other home countries, licensed and unlicensed premises in Northern Ireland can serve customers in outdoor settings in groups of six from n

Amazon has entered its “golden age” according to analysts after it blitzed expectations in the first quarter seeing sales soar 44 per cent to over $100 billion. Amazon’s shares have continued their upward trajectory rising three per cent after the retail giant saw “margins gallop ahead” once again. Over its first quarter Amazon saw net sales top $108.5 billion, coming comfortably above Wall Street estimates of $104.5 billion, while profit after tax more than tripled on the same period last year jumping from $2.5 billion to $8.1 billion, trouncing expectations of just $5 billion. The higher profits were driven by a significant boost in services like Amazon Prime and Prime Video, which net far higher margins than its traditional retail offering which still saw growth of 37.4 per cent. According to founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos “175 million Prime members have streamed shows and movies in the past year, and streaming hours are up more than 70 per cent year-over year”. Meanwhi

The Maharashtra government on Thursday extended till May 15 the existing lockdown-like restrictions enforced to stem the spread of COVID-19 in the state, according to PTI. An order issued by chief secretary Sitaram Kunte said the decision to extend the restrictions has been taken as the state continued to be threatened with the spread of COVID-19. It was imperative […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/3gXKCmK via IFTTT

// Debenhams’ Ipswich unit has been sold to The Unex Group for over £3m // The Unex Group is “exploring possibilities” for its use // The group’s portfolio includes commercial and mixed use property investment The Debenhams building in Ipswich’s Cornhill has reportedly been bought by The Unex Group, headed by property tycoon and racehorse owner William Gredley. The Unex Group said it bought the four-storey building for more than £3 million and it was “exploring possibilities” for its use,  Ipswich Star reported. The group’s portfolio includes commercial and mixed use property investment and development in East Anglia and London. READ MORE: Debenhams confirms locations of 52 store closures as part of liquidation The Unex Group is recognised for undertaking a number of developments across East Anglia and London. Ipswich’s Debenhams store is located at Waterloo House which had been on the market for £5.5 million. The sale is due to be completed at the start of next month.

// Asda appointed Waitrose trading & merchandising operations director Sam Dickson as VP of own brand // It also appointed Sky group corporate development director Sonal Dash as VP of non-edible & healthcare Asda has announced new appointments from Waitrose and Sky as it seeks to strengthen its commercial team. The supermarket has appointed Waitrose trading and merchandising operations director Sam Dickson as vice president of own brand. Asda also hired Sky group corporate development director Sonal Dash as vice president of non-edible and healthcare. READ MORE: Asda’s George launches new vintage second hand shop-in-shops Previously Dash led the strategy and M&A team at Tate & Lyle and was an associate partner at Bain & Company. She replaces Lizzy Massey, who left Asda in November. “Sam and Sonal are key strategic hires to our senior leadership team and both bring a wealth of experience to the business,” Asda chief merchandising officer Derek Lawlor sai

// Co-op to ditch plastic “bags for life” // The supermarket said many shoppers are regularly buying bags for life to use just once // The bags will be removed from circulation from the chain’s 2600 stores from today The Co-op has announced it will remove plastic “bags for life” from sale in all of its stores in an effort to reduce plastic waste. The supermarket said many shoppers are regularly buying bags for life to use just once, leading to a hike in plastic production. More plastic is needed to produce bags for life than the conventional single-use bags. READ MORE: Co-op equips security guards with crime deterrent spray The Co-op said the bags will be removed from circulation from the chain’s 2600 stores from today, with stock expected to be gone completely by the end of the summer. It is part of its plans to remove 29.5 million bags for life – or 870 tonnes of plastic – from sale each year. The initiative comes after Big 4 grocer Morrisons said in early April that

// Retail vacancies have increased across all shopping destinations // The overall retail vacancy rate increased 14.1% in the first quarter of 2021 New research has found that retail vacancies have increased across all shopping destinations and regions in the first quarter of 2021. The overall retail vacancy rate increased to 14.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2021, marking a 1.9 per cent rise from the same period last year, according to the BRC-LDC Vacancy Monitor. This vacancy rate was up from 13.7 per cent recorded in the final quarter of 2020 and marks three consecutive years of increased retail vacancies. READ MORE: Shop prices fell in April as Brits return to non-essential stores There are currently around 5000 fewer stores than there were at the start of the pandemic, with one in seven shops vacant. Shopping centres recorded the largest increase in vacancies during the period, up 18.4 per cent compared with 17.1 per cent the previous quarter. High street vacanci

In recent years, retailers specialising in trainers – such as Nike, Adidas and even Yeezy – have relied on sneakerheads to drive demand for its new releases. Hype around limited edition releases, marked as “drops”, often transcend to viral social media trends and long queues outside stores on release days. While sneakerhead culture is clearly important for these brands, what happens when their retail partners don’t do enough to clamp down on staff quietly offering them to resellers? It it even possible to do so, given some resellers use more sophisticated technology to ensure they win? In March, Nike’s North America general manager Ann Herbert resigned after Bloomberg Businessweek reported that her son had used a credit card in her name to purchase shoes for his business. The article described how 19-year-old Joe Hebert used bots to swarm ecommerce sites, overcoming systems meant to restrict purchases so he could buy up popular, limited edition sneakers that he would then resell

// Tesco to become the first UK retailer to offer its supply base sustainability-linked supply chain finance // It will see annual greenhouse gas emissions data provided by suppliers independently verified and assessed by sustainability experts // Tesco suppliers will be offered preferential financing rates that incentivise them to make positive changes to their business Tesco is set to become the first UK retailer to offer its supply base sustainability-linked supply chain finance, in a move the retailer hopes will encourage more suppliers to sign up to science-based emissions reduction targets. The voluntary scheme has been in development for 18 months and is due to launch in September. It will see annual greenhouse gas emissions data provided by suppliers independently verified and assessed by sustainability experts from Anthesis, and KPMG will also be engaged to carry out assurance of the programme. READ MORE: Yours Clothing to open shop-in-shops in Tesco stores Tesco

As India prepares for the third phase of the world’s largest vaccination drive making it available for everyone above 18 years, digital payments firm PayNearby has rolled out plans to leverage its wide distribution network to assist citizens in enrolling for the vaccination program. 15Lakh+ PayNearby retail touch points across 17,500+ PIN codes will be […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/3u3OkPr via IFTTT

// PrettyLittleThing boss Umar Kamani donates almost £28,000 to Indian charities battling Covid crisis // £10,000 was given to Give India, while another $25,000 was donated to Help India Breathe The chief executive of PrettyLittleThing has made donations worth almost £28,000 to charities in India that are battling the country’s Covid crisis. Umar Kamani, who is also the founder of the online fashion retailer, revealed on Twitter that he donated £10,000 to Give India, while another $25,000 (£17,900) was donated to Help India Breathe. READ MORE: Big Interview: Umar Kamani, Founder & CEO, PrettyLittleThing The news comes as India’s healthcare facilities have become overwhelmed in recent weeks amid skyrocketing Covid-19 cases and deaths, with hospitals overrun and shortages of oxygen, medical supplies and hospital staff. India reported 379,257 new Covid-19 cases and 3645 new deaths today, marking the country’s highest number of deaths reported in a single day since the star

// Gym+Coffee snare One Direction member Niall Horan as an investor // The “significant partnership” will aim to help increase the athleisure retailer’s profile globally // Gym+Coffee is also setting sights on a UK expansion drive Gym+Coffee has announced that One Direction’s Niall Horan has become an investor, in a move that will help raise the profile of the athleisure retailer internationally. The Irish retailer added that Horan’s investment was a “significant partnership”. Launched in Ireland in 2017, Gym+Coffee is looking to capitalise on the recent athleisure boom, with predictions the sector would be worth $500 billion globally by the end of next year – compared to $300 billion in 2018. Gym+Coffee recently restarted its UK retail expansion drive with new “clubhouse” stores following the initial opening at Westfield London last year. It now has plans to open more shops this year. Irish rugby player Brian O’Driscoll is also an investor in the retailer, and celebrity fa

// Sainsbury’s working with Prevented Ocean Plastic to turn plastic collected from the coast into packaging for strawberries & fresh fish // The move will remove more than 297 tonnes of plastic waste – or 12m plastic bottles – at risk of ocean plastic pollution // 34% of Sainsbury’s fish & 80% of Berry Garden punnets of strawberries will be sold in the  recycled packaging Sainsbury’s has unveiled plans to recycle plastic collected from coastal areas into packaging for its fresh fish and strawberries ranges. The packaging, which marks the latest step by the Big 4 retailer to remove, reduce, recycle and reuse plastic from its operations, aims to prevent nearly 12 million plastic bottles – or 297 tonnes of plastic – from entering the ocean each year and further polluting it. Sainsbury’s said it would use Prevented Ocean Plastic – a high-quality certified recycled plastic – while working with packaging supplier Sharpak to ensure 34 per cent of its fresh fish and 80 per cen