News: retail

'Level the playing field': BA urges Treasury Select Committee to reform business rates

Booksellers Association m.d. Meryl Halls has urged the Treasury Select Committee to "level the playing field" and reform business rates. Read more

Clarke steps down from W H Smith as group reports strong sales

Stephen Clarke is stepping down as group chief executive at W H Smith with high street m.d. Carl Cowling to take on the role, as... Read more

Asda reports dip in first quarter sales

Asda has reported a dip in quarterly sales saying the timing of the busy Easter trading period, which was later this year, has impacted results.... Read more

Patterson funds literacy scheme with Penguin, Asda and NLT

Author and literacy advocate James Patterson is funding 'Buy A Book, Give A Book' to encourage reading in children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds through an... Read more

Talks underway for indies to grab slice of pre-order market

The Booksellers Association is exploring the opportunities for indies to maximise sales on pre-orders, with BA m.d. Meryl Halls describing the market as a huge... Read more

Online bookseller aims to boost diverse children’s literature

A new online bookshop has launched to promote books, graphic novels and gifts that feature characters from under-represented backgrounds. Read more

University College Dublin campus bookshop to close

The Campus Bookshop at University College Dublin will close this summer following 40 years of trade, as UCD puts the contract out to tender. ... Read more

Waterstones bookseller stole £11k through loyalty card 'tricks'

A Waterstones bookseller has been given a suspended prison sentence after stealing more than £11,000 from the retail chain by tampering with its loyalty cards.... Read more

Plans for Independent Bookshop Week revealed

Authors will tour independent bookshops, illustrators will create special shop windows and limited edition and early book releases will take place to celebrate this year’s... Read more

W H Smith to open two stores in Bahrain International Airport terminal

W H Smith will open two stores, in partnership with retailer and publisher That Al Salasil, in the new terminal at Bahrain International Airport. ... Read more

JS Group to close nine campus bookshops to develop Aspire scheme

JS Group will develop specific online book stores for universities as it closes nine campus shops in a bid to focus on its Aspire schemes... Read more

Kew Gardens bookshop sales increase 27% with millennial focus

The bookshop at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has recorded a 27% boost in overall book sales with a newly bolstered home and leisure range targeting an... Read more

HarperCollins marks 'biggest ever' retail showcase with Slater, Baddiel and Chevalier

HarperCollins welcomed 240 people to its “biggest ever” ‘Big Book’ event aimed at retailers, featuring authors such as David Baddiel, Tracy Chevalier and Nigel Slater.... Read more

Tate bookshops see boom in growth

Tate bookshops sales have boomed over the last year with some sites reporting double digit growth. Read more

Thompson returns to Blackwell's as chairman Goul-Wheeker retires

Former Blackwell's c.e.o. Anthony Thompson is returning to the company as chairman after the retailer confirmed Trevor Goul-Wheeker will retire in June.... Read more