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Retailing - 2008
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is to receive plans from Aynsley Mill to develop a new shopping centre at the former Aynsley China site in Longton, including 56,000 sq ft of retail space, a craft workshop and garden centre.
29-Dec-2008
Klondyke Group has bought Brookside Garden Centre in Poynton, Cheshire, out of administration for undisclosed terms, securing the future of 50 jobs.
24-Dec-2008
Clas Ohlson is planning to open up to six hardware stores across the country during 2009, starting with a unit at the Arndale centre in Manchester that will create 60 jobs.
24-Dec-2008
Whittard of Chelsea, the chain of 128 tea and coffee shops, has been bought out of administration by Epic Private Equity for undisclosed terms.
24-Dec-2008
The Officers Club has been bought out administration by TimeC 1215, securing the future of 900 jobs in 118 fashion stores, but the remaining 32 stores will close.
24-Dec-2008
Tesco is planning to build a new retail park at the former Campbell's Soup site in King's Lynn, which could create up to 300 jobs.
23-Dec-2008
Co-operative Group is to submit plans to invest £100m in the development of a new 400,000 sq ft headquarters for 3,000 staff at the Northern Gateway in Manchester by 2011.
23-Dec-2008
Poundland is planning to expand its chain of 200 discount stores with 35 new outlets in 2009, creating about 1,200 jobs.
22-Dec-2008
Lidl is planning to expand its chain of 505 discount supermarkets with more than 50 new stores in 2009.
22-Dec-2008
Jack Wolfskin of Germany is planning to set up a chain of outdoor clothing and sportswear stores in the UK, and is currently seeking retail partners.
22-Dec-2008
Trade Secret is planning to open two furniture clearance warehouses in the Birmingham area in 2009.
22-Dec-2008
Timpson has bought 187 Klick and Max Spielmann shops from the administrators of Bowie Castlebank for undisclosed terms, saving 545 of the 1,600 jobs.
22-Dec-2008
Strategic Retail has sold 27 of its 47 Fads, Texstyle World and Leveys decorating stores out of administration to a non-executive director, securing the future of about 200 jobs.
17-Dec-2008
Booths is to submit plans to build a new 36,000 sq ft supermarket at Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire, as part of a £30m development that would include a new 45,000 sq ft civic centre and offices for Wyre Borough Council.
17-Dec-2008
BDO Stoy Hayward has sold Style Menswear, the chain of 52 Envy fashion stores, out of administration to a new company called Envy Retail, securing the future of 800 jobs.
16-Dec-2008
French Eye is expanding its chain of five fashion stores in London with three new outlets.
15-Dec-2008
Lief! of the Netherlands is planning to open up to ten babywear stores in the UK over the next two years, and is currently seeking a franchise partner.
15-Dec-2008
Omega International, the Doncaster-based kitchen furniture supplier, is to undergo a £30m management buy-out.
15-Dec-2008
Aldi is planning to invest £50m opening about ten new discount supermarkets in North Wales over the next five years, with the creation of more than 150 jobs.
12-Dec-2008
Rightway has acquired W Bevan & Sons of North Wales for undisclosed terms, creating a combined chain of 16 DIY stores with 150 staff.
11-Dec-2008
Hammerson has submitted plans for the £100m third phase of the West Quay shopping centre scheme in Southampton, including 200,000 sq ft of retail space.
09-Dec-2008
Republic is planning to expand its chain of 93 fashion stores with 100 new outlets over the next six years.
08-Dec-2008
Greggs is planning to open a further ten bakery outlets in the North West over the next year, to add to the existing 140.
08-Dec-2008
East Renfrewshire Council is to consider plans for the £60m expansion of The Avenue shopping centre in Newton Mearns, which would create 12 new stores.
08-Dec-2008
Morrisons has acquired 38 stores from the Co-operative Group for £223m, and will invest £98m refurbishing the sites.
05-Dec-2008
Bow Street Mall has submitted plans for the £180m expansion of its shopping centre in Lisburn city centre, including a 260,000 sq ft department store, 30 retail units and the creation of 1,000 jobs.
03-Dec-2008
Perry Uniform is to set up a new 15,000 sq ft clothing production and design site in Bramley, Leeds, with the creation of about 30 jobs.
03-Dec-2008
Aldi is to create about 500 jobs in Kent over the next few years, including the opening of a £40m depot on the Isle of Sheppey and a number of discount supermarkets.
03-Dec-2008
Costco is planning to expand its chain of 21 wholesale depots by opening two or three new sites a year.
02-Dec-2008
Cash Generator is to invest £23m in the expansion of its chain of more than 70 second-hand goods stores to 200 over the next five years, with the creation of 700 jobs.
02-Dec-2008
Card Factory is to acquire almost 80 of the 280 Celebrations Group greetings card stores out of administration, securing the future of 500 jobs.
01-Dec-2008
KFC is planning to expand its chain of 780 fast-food restaurants in the UK and Ireland with 45 new outlets in 2009, and its US parent company is considering the introduction of the Taco Bell brand to the UK.
01-Dec-2008
Halfords is considering plans to open a chain of up to 50 Cycle Republic stores, depending on the success of two trial outlets in Norwich and York.
01-Dec-2008
Mk One has sold 85 of its 125 fashion stores out of administration to Internacionale, securing the future of 800 jobs.
01-Dec-2008
Home Retail Group has bought the Alba and Bush trademarks from electrical goods supplier Alba for £15m, and Alba will change its name to Harvard International.
01-Dec-2008
Tesco has confirmed plans to build a new store in Welshpool, with the creation of 163 jobs.
26-Nov-2008
Shakeaholic is expanding its milk shake bars business in the North East from two outlets to five by January, with the creation of up to 40 jobs.
26-Nov-2008
Tesco has submitted plans to Bolton Council to build a new store in Farnworth, with the creation of 300 jobs.
26-Nov-2008
Caffe Nero is planning to expand its chain of 393 coffee shops with at least 35 new outlets in the UK and abroad over the next year.
25-Nov-2008
Duffer of St George, the fashion brand, has been bought out of administration by a management team operating under the name of Nihoco 3493.
25-Nov-2008
H&T Group has acquired James Hempseed & Son, the Glasgow-based second-hand goods and jewellery retailer, taking its total chain to 103 outlets.
24-Nov-2008
Supergroup is planning to open up to 40 Cult Clothing and Superdry fashion stores over the next three years, having appointed Jones Lang LaSalle to find suitable sites.
24-Nov-2008
Floors 2 Go is planning to open a further 20 flooring stores over the next year.
24-Nov-2008
Waitrose is to set up a 34,218 sq ft store in Weston-super-Mare by summer 2009, with the creation of 160 jobs.
21-Nov-2008
B&Q has unveiled plans for its new headquarters in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, and hopes to relocate about 1,500 staff to the site by 2011.
20-Nov-2008
Peacocks has raised £20m from two US hedge funds to expand its chain of 460 discount fashion stores with up to 40 new outlets a year.
20-Nov-2008
Mills Group is planning to expand its chain of 75 convenience stores with six new outlets next year.
18-Nov-2008
New Look, the fashion retailer, is considering plans to relocate its executive functions from Weymouth to a new London headquarters of up to 50,000 sq ft.
18-Nov-2008
Shuropody is planning to expand its chain of 53 footwear stores to at least 100 over the next five years, and an 18-month refit programme for the existing stores will begin in January.
17-Nov-2008
Headmasters is to open a further five hairdressing salons in the South East, taking its chain to more than 40.
17-Nov-2008
Sainsbury's has announced plans to build a new store at Hardwick Junction in King's Lynn, which could create up to 400 jobs.
14-Nov-2008
Hardy Amies, the London-based tailor and dressmaker, has been bought out of administration by Li & Fung of Hong Kong and most of its remaining stores will close.
12-Nov-2008
Juicy Couture of the US is planning to open its first fashion store in the UK, with negotiations taking place for a 5,000 sq ft unit on Bruton Street in London.
11-Nov-2008
Specsavers is considering plans to set up a 55,000 sq ft office at the Fusion 3 development on the Solent Business Park near Southampton early next year.
11-Nov-2008
Asda has won approval from Wansbeck Council for a new £25m 53,000 sq ft store at Portland Park in Ashington, with the creation of 250 jobs.
10-Nov-2008
Tesco has won permission to build a new 60,000 sq ft superstore at Summerhill in west Aberdeen, with the creation of about 300 jobs.
10-Nov-2008
Sally Hair & Beauty Supplies is relocating its European headquarters at Winnersh Triangle near Reading to a larger 24,000 sq ft unit on the same park.
10-Nov-2008
Beyond Retro is seeking suitable sites to open more vintage clothing stores in London and cities such as Brighton, Glasgow and Manchester.
10-Nov-2008
Edinburgh Woollen Mill has bought 77 Rosebys curtains stores out of administration, securing the future of 495 jobs.
07-Nov-2008
John Lewis is to create about 150 jobs at a new food hall due to open at the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent early next year.
05-Nov-2008
Dunelm Mill is to create 150 jobs at a new 36,000 sq ft soft furnishings store due to open at Friary Retail Park in Plymouth in December.
05-Nov-2008
Primark is planning to open at least 12 more discount fashion stores in the UK and Spain over the next year.
05-Nov-2008
Pets at Home is planning to expand its chain of 220 pet stores with ten new branches by the end of the year and 20 during 2009.
04-Nov-2008
Sainsbury's is to submit plans to East Lindsey District Council to build a 25,000 sq ft store in Louth, with the creation of 250 jobs.
03-Nov-2008
Sainsbury's is planning to build up to five £8m regional anaerobic digester plants by 2010, in order to process all of the food waste from its nationwide supermarket chain.
03-Nov-2008
Red 5 is planning to open three gift stores at Westfield London, Southampton and Milton Keynes.
03-Nov-2008
Sainsbury's is to set up a 25,000 sq ft concept store to trial trading formats at a warehouse in Park Royal, West London.
03-Nov-2008
Ghost, the chain of 33 fashion stores with 142 staff, has been bought out of administration by the owner of Hawes & Curtis.
03-Nov-2008
BrightHouse is planning to open 15 electrical stores in the Manchester area over the next few years, with the creation of about 100 jobs, and believes there is potential to expand the nationwide chain from 177 to 600.
30-Oct-2008
Oldham Council is to consider plans from Copley Square for a £20m retail development on Featherstall Road, which would create 100 jobs.
30-Oct-2008
Asda is to submit plans to build a new 31,000 sq ft store in Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, with the creation of 350 jobs.
29-Oct-2008
Carpetright is planning to acquire the chain of 94 Sleepright bed concessions for less than £1m.
29-Oct-2008
Apple has won planning consent to set up a 30,000 sq ft computer products store and a 30,000 sq ft European headquarters at Covent Garden in London.
27-Oct-2008
Sweaty Betty is planning to double its chain of 20 women's sportswear stores over the next five years.
27-Oct-2008
Lincolnshire Co-operative is to invest £7m in improvements to the Birchwood shopping centre in Lincoln by 2010, including new shops and offices.
21-Oct-2008
Co-operative Group is looking to dispose of 126 local stores, in order to gain approval from the Office of Fair Trading for the £1.6bn acquisition of Somerfield.
21-Oct-2008
JW Filshill of Glasgow is looking to expand its delivered wholesale business into England over the coming weeks.
21-Oct-2008
Tesco is planning to build a 140,000 sq ft store at a 500,000 sq ft retail, leisure and office development being designed by Glenn Howells for a 38-acre site in West Bromwich.
21-Oct-2008
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is to consider plans from Realis Estates to build a £250m shopping centre in Hanley, including 70 stores, a cinema, a hotel and the creation of 2,000 jobs.
20-Oct-2008
Casual Male Retail Group of the US is considering plans to open high street fashion stores for large men in the UK, but will start by selling online.
20-Oct-2008
Carphone Warehouse is considering plans to open a new chain of electronics stores offering wireless products, games and digital TV content, depending on the success of a trial at Westfield London.
20-Oct-2008
David Sands is planning to expand its chain of 24 Kinross-based convenience stores with two new stores this year.
17-Oct-2008
Tesco has submitted plans to Liverpool City Council to build a Tesco Extra store in Toxteth, with the creation of 300 jobs.
15-Oct-2008
Tesco is planning to build a new 45,000 sq ft store in Caernarfon, with the creation of at least 320 jobs.
14-Oct-2008
Alfred Jones is planning to expand its Warrington-based chain of 75 convenience stores to 100 over the next few years.
14-Oct-2008
Coffee Republic is looking to open a further 20 coffee bars in Scotland, having appointed King Sturge to find suitable sites.
13-Oct-2008
Bestseller Group of Denmark is planning to open up to 12 Vero Moda and Jack & Jones fashion stores in the UK next year, having appointed Harper Dennis Hobbs to find suitable sites.
13-Oct-2008
No Name of Greece is planning to open separate menswear and womenswear stores at Westfield London, and is also looking at Birmingham and Manchester.
13-Oct-2008
Steamer Trading Cookshop is planning to expand its chain of 18 kitchenware stores to 30 by 2011.
13-Oct-2008
Specsavers is planning to expand its chain of 603 optical stores with 20 new outlets in the London area over the next 18 months.
13-Oct-2008
WH Smith is considering plans to expand its chain of 80 hospital-based stationery outlets to a further 50 sites over the next five years.
13-Oct-2008
Sainsbury's is planning to build a 50,000 sq ft store at Bromsgrove Retail Park, with the creation of more than 400 jobs.
10-Oct-2008
Crawley Borough Council has unveiled proposals for the £750m redevelopment of Crawley town centre, including offices, a hotel and a new John Lewis department store.
09-Oct-2008
Joy has been bought out of administration by a new company called Louche London, securing the future of about 150 jobs at 12 fashion stores.
09-Oct-2008
Oswestry Borough Council is to consider plans from Liberty Mercian for a £56m retail development at Smithfield Cattlemarket, including a cinema, restaurants and the creation of 800 jobs.
06-Oct-2008
Tesco has unveiled plans to build a 25,000 sq ft store at Cefn Mawr, near Wrexham, with the creation of 140 jobs, which would involve the relocation of NEWI Cefn Druids to a new 5,000-capacity football ground.
06-Oct-2008
Pizza Hut is to invest £100m in its chain of 700 restaurants over the next six years, including new outlets and a change of name to Pasta Hut.
06-Oct-2008
Van Hage is to set up an 89,000 sq ft garden centre at Peterborough Garden Park by next autumn.
06-Oct-2008
Argos is looking to open up to 30 smaller catalogue stores of about 3,500 sq ft in London.
06-Oct-2008
La Senza is planning to open a further 20 lingerie stores by March 2009, and is also introducing hair accessories, jewellery and cosmetics.
06-Oct-2008
Next has acquired Lipsy, the fashion brand with annual turnover of £20m, for an initial £17m.
03-Oct-2008
NWF Group has sold its six garden centres in Cheshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire to Notcutts for £14m.
03-Oct-2008
Ethicalsuperstore has raised £1m from NorthStar Equity Investors and Rathbone Greenbank to fund the expansion of its Gateshead-based online shopping business and the increase in its workforce from 25 to 40 over the next year.
03-Oct-2008
Tesco is to create more than 350 new jobs across Northern Ireland this year, and a new store is due to open in Ballymena next month.
02-Oct-2008
Waitrose is planning to open hundreds of convenience stores in town centres and railway stations across the country, with the first opening in Nottingham in December.
02-Oct-2008
Bosideng of China is linking up with Greenwoods to open up to 100 menswear stores in the UK over the next five years, having just opened the first in Bury St Edmunds.
30-Sep-2008
Norton & Townsend, the London-based network of bespoke tailors, has been bought out of administration by Salts of Saltaire for undisclosed terms.
30-Sep-2008
MFI has undergone a management buy-out, securing the future of up to 3,100 jobs in its furniture retailing business.
29-Sep-2008
Collections Group has acquired Frank Bird, the operator of menswear stores in Barnsley and Wakefield with 23 buying and sales staff, for undisclosed terms.
29-Sep-2008
Cinnabon is planning to open up to 40 bakery outlets across the UK over the next four years, having opened the first in London's Piccadilly Circus in July.
29-Sep-2008
White Stuff is to open new fashion stores in Cardiff, Marlborough and Shrewsbury in the next month.
29-Sep-2008
Guess of the US is planning to open five accessories stores in the UK by the end of the year, with the first due to open in Bromley.
29-Sep-2008
Tampopo is to invest £2.2m in the expansion of its Manchester-based chain of five noodle bars, having secured funding from the Co-operative Bank.
26-Sep-2008
Marks & Spencer is to set up a 1.1m sq ft distribution centre at ProLogis Park in Bradford.
24-Sep-2008
Beanscene, the Glasgow-based chain of coffee shops, is to be bought out of administration by Fifi & Ally, securing the future of 130 jobs.
23-Sep-2008
Clapham House is planning to expand its chain of 53 Gourmet Burger Kitchen restaurants with four new sites by the end of the year.
23-Sep-2008
Dobbies Garden Centres has unveiled plans to open a new £8.5m garden centre in Aberdeen by October 2009, with the creation of 120 jobs.
22-Sep-2008
Kingfisher, the owner of the B&Q chain of DIY stores, is considering plans to relocate its tax base to a lower-cost country such as Ireland or Luxembourg.
22-Sep-2008
Ping Pong is planning to expand its London-based chain of six dim sum restaurants with up to 20 takeaway outlets over the next four years.
22-Sep-2008
JoJo Maman Bebe is looking to expand its chain of 22 maternity and nursery stores with eight new outlets a year.
22-Sep-2008
Mamas & Papas is planning to expand its chain of 31 maternity and nursery stores with 12 new outlets by the end of next year.
22-Sep-2008
Roadchef is to invest £20m refurbishing its larger motorway service stations over the next few years.
22-Sep-2008
Holland & Barrett is to acquire Julian Graves, the chain of 345 health food stores, for undisclosed terms.
18-Sep-2008
Nevisport is looking to double its chain of ten outdoor clothing stores, including its first outlets in southern England.
15-Sep-2008
Faith has been acquired by Kinnaird and investment fund Agilo for undisclosed terms, securing the future of more than 2,000 jobs at its chain of shoe shops.
12-Sep-2008
Thresher is planning to open 15 new wine stores by the end of the year, including five Wine Racks and ten under The Local brand.
11-Sep-2008
Original Factory Shop is to increase the expansion rate for its chain of 91 discount stores by opening more than 20 new outlets a year, having identified 700 suitable towns.
08-Sep-2008
South Somerset Council has approved plans for the £45m expansion of the Quedam shopping centre in Yeovil, including 25 new units.
05-Sep-2008
GT News, the chain of convenience stores in South Yorkshire and the East Midlands, has undergone a management buy-out.
04-Sep-2008
Change Capital Partners has sold Jil Sander, the fashion label with 61 stores worldwide, to Onward Holdings of Japan for £135m.
02-Sep-2008
Mountain Warehouse is looking to expand its chain of outdoor clothing stores further into Scotland, having just acquired outlets in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Stirling and East Kilbride.
01-Sep-2008
Adams Childrenswear is planning to expand its chain of 260 stores with ten new shops and concessions this year, and a further 20 will open next year.
01-Sep-2008
A-Wear of Ireland is planning to open three fashion stores in the UK this year and a further ten next year.
01-Sep-2008
Aberdeenshire Council has approved plans from Hermiston Securities for the development of a new retail park in Peterhead, including up to eight shops and the creation of 300 jobs.
29-Aug-2008
Quintain Estates is planning to set up a multicultural food market at its 200,000 sq ft Wembley Retail Park development in London, in order to house about 40 traders from the closed Oriental City.
27-Aug-2008
Guiton Group has sold Channel Island Newsagents, the Jersey-based chain of 12 convenience stores, to Channel Island Wholesale Group for undisclosed terms.
27-Aug-2008
GO Outdoors is to create 30 jobs at a new camping superstore due to open in Wolverhampton in September.
26-Aug-2008
New Look is creating 70 new jobs at its clothing distribution centre at the Lymedale Business Park in Staffordshire.
26-Aug-2008
Wolverine of the US has appointed Harper Dennis Hobbs to advise on the expansion of its footwear chain in the UK.
25-Aug-2008
Sainsbury's is to proceed with plans to set up a 670,000 sq ft distribution centre at the Bridge scheme in Dartford, and the site will be operated by DHL.
25-Aug-2008
The Entertainer is to expand its chain of 42 toy shops with five new outlets this year.
25-Aug-2008
Dwell is planning to expand its chain of 11 furniture stores to 50 over the next four years.
25-Aug-2008
Mamas & Papas is planning to open four more nursery stores in Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff and London this year.
25-Aug-2008
House of Fraser is to invest £150m in the overhaul of its department stores by the end of the year, including outlets in Leeds, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Reading, Edinburgh and Bluewater.
22-Aug-2008
Brew is planning to set up a chain of tea shops, including four outlets in Liverpool.
21-Aug-2008
Tibits of Switzerland is planning to open its first two vegetarian restaurants in London by October, including sites at Regent Street and Westfield.
21-Aug-2008
KFC is to pilot a new breakfast menu and earlier opening hours at its 15 fast food outlets in the Tyne Tees area, with the creation of 150 jobs.
19-Aug-2008
Big Johns is to invest £2m in the expansion of its Birmingham-based chain of 15 fast food outlets, including 20 new sites and the creation of more than 100 jobs.
19-Aug-2008
Floors 2 Go, the chain of 80 flooring stores, has been bought out of administration by its original founder operating under the name of Floor My Home, securing the future of 300 jobs.
19-Aug-2008
Individual Restaurant Company has secured £18m from Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets to fund the expansion of its chain of 30 restaurants with seven new outlets across the country this year.
18-Aug-2008
Faith, the chain of 85 footwear stores and 130 concessions, is considering plans for a management buy-out.
18-Aug-2008
Vodafone is looking to open a further 50 mobile phone stores with the creation of 200 jobs.
14-Aug-2008
Primark, the discount clothing retailer, is to set up a 640,000 sq ft distribution centre at Thrapston in Northamptonshire.
14-Aug-2008
Milestone Country Living is to set up a £1.5m retail park next to the Plants R Ross nursery in Easington, County Durham, by next March, enabling local businesses to sell natural and homemade products.
13-Aug-2008
Tesco is to submit plans to Rotherham Council to build a new store on its existing site in Dinnington, with the creation of up to 150 jobs.
13-Aug-2008
Tesco is to invest £60m in an alliance with the Tata conglomerate to open three cash-and-carry stores in India over the next two years.
13-Aug-2008
Helly Hansen is planning to open its first outdoor clothing store in the UK next year.
13-Aug-2008
Lloyd Maunder has sold its 13 butcher shops in Devon and Cornwall to a management buy-out operating under the name of West Country Family Butchers.
11-Aug-2008
Oddbins, the chain of 150 off-licence stores, has been sold by Castel Freres of France to a group led by the son of its former owner for undisclosed terms.
08-Aug-2008
Flexa of Denmark is planning to open up to five furniture stores in Scotland, having appointed Montagu Evans to find suitable sites.
08-Aug-2008
McDonald's is launching a recruitment drive for 4,000 staff for its fast food restaurants across the country.
07-Aug-2008
Ellis Brigham, the outdoor clothing retailer, is to set up a new £4m 80,000 sq ft warehouse and headquarters at Brunel Avenue in Salford.
07-Aug-2008
Decathlon of France is planning to expand its UK chain of six sportswear stores to 40 over the next five years.
04-Aug-2008
PricewaterhouseCoopers has sold Beds Direct out of administration to a management team operating under the name of Helibeds, securing the future of 20 of the 42 stores.
04-Aug-2008
TJ Morris is planning to expand its chain of Home Bargains discount stores from 140 to more than 500 over the next few years.
04-Aug-2008
Crystal Galleries is relocating its Middlesbrough-based gifts business and 54 staff to a new £1m site on Skippers Lane Industrial Estate.
01-Aug-2008
Dunelm Group is to acquire the Dorma soft furnishings brand from Dawson International for £5m.
30-Jul-2008
The St David's Partnership has launched a recruitment drive for 4,000 staff for the new St David's shopping centre due to open in Cardiff next year, in partnership with John Lewis, Jobcentre Plus and local councils.
30-Jul-2008
East of England Co-operative Society is to set up a new head office at Wherstead Park in Ipswich by the end of the year.
30-Jul-2008
ProCook, the Cheltenham-based kitchenware retailer, has been bought out of administration by a management team, securing the future of 260 jobs at 39 stores.
28-Jul-2008
Desigual of Spain is planning to open a further five fashion stores across the UK over the next two years.
28-Jul-2008
BrightHouse is to expand its chain of 168 electrical stores with 25 new outlets this year and up to 40 next year.
28-Jul-2008
Shuropody is planning to open ten footcare stores over the next five months, having bought the Scholl retail business from Alliance Boots.
28-Jul-2008
Krispy Kreme is looking to expand its chain of 40 doughnut stores across the country, with the first Scottish outlets opening by the end of 2010.
28-Jul-2008
Waitrose is planning to open a 23,000 sq ft supermarket in Colchester by October 2009.
24-Jul-2008
Myla has raised £2.7m from investors to fund the expansion of its upmarket lingerie business.
21-Jul-2008
Dune is planning to expand its chain of 43 footwear stores by opening new outlets in Westfield London and Liverpool One in September and by relocating smaller stores to larger sites.
21-Jul-2008
Best Buy of the US is to open its first UK electrical stores in Thurrock, Staines and London, and is expected to open up to 20 outlets next year.
21-Jul-2008
Tesco is to seek permission to build a Tesco Extra store at Bulwell in Nottingham, which could create 440 jobs by the end of next year.
18-Jul-2008
Blacks Leisure is planning to open five more "test stores" in Edinburgh, Bristol and Newcastle in September, including two trading as Millets.
18-Jul-2008
Co-operative Group is to acquire Somerfield, the Bristol-based chain of 880 supermarkets, for £1.6bn, and up to 120 stores are expected to be sold on to other retailers.
17-Jul-2008
Tesco has unveiled plans to extend its store in Rugby, with the creation of 200 jobs.
17-Jul-2008
BP is considering plans to open up to 50 standalone Wild Bean Cafes by the end of next year, having just opened the first at Portsmouth's Continental Ferry Port.
15-Jul-2008
JJB Sports is seeking a suitable site in Liverpool to set up a headquarters for its new lifestyle division, in order to support the planned growth of the Original Shoe Company and Qube stores from 100 to 150.
09-Jul-2008
John Lewis is to bring its 80 property staff together into a single department, in preparation for the expansion of its chain of 26 department stores to more than 50 over the next ten years.
08-Jul-2008
Lunson Mitchenall has been appointed by Soleil Sucre of France to find suitable locations to open two lingerie stores in the UK by the end of the year.
07-Jul-2008
Ollie & Nic is planning to open 30 bags and accessories stores across the country over the next five years, having appointed CWM to find locations of about 650 sq ft.
07-Jul-2008
ScS Upholstery has sold its chain of 96 furniture stores out of administration to Sun European Partners, securing the future of more than 1,300 jobs.
07-Jul-2008
Harry Irving & Co, the Bootle-based pet products supplier, has been bought out of administration by Petlife Ventures.
04-Jul-2008
Lincoln City Council is to consider plans from Modus for the development of a new shopping centre at Lindongate by 2012, including 34 shops and 180 apartments.
03-Jul-2008
Westfield is to proceed with plans to develop a £1.5bn retail and leisure scheme at the London Olympics site by 2011, including about 300 stores.
02-Jul-2008
Aldi is planning to expand its chain of 400 discount supermarkets to 1,500 in a £1.5bn five-year investment programme, and 1,500 new jobs will be created this year.
30-Jun-2008
Astley Clarke has raised £2.7m from Index Ventures to fund the expansion of its online jewellery business.
30-Jun-2008
Clas Ohlson of Sweden is to open its first UK electricals store at the Whitgift centre in Croydon later this year, and further outlets will follow over the next three years.
30-Jun-2008
Happit, the Dunfermline-based discount clothing retailer, has been bought out of administration by 2nd Thoughts, securing the future of 233 jobs at 32 stores.
27-Jun-2008
Co-operative Pharmacy is to relocate its national distribution centre and up to 200 jobs from Wolstanton to a new £15m 190,000 sq ft warehouse being built at Meir Park in Staffordshire by the end of 2009.
27-Jun-2008
Leon is planning to open up to five healthy fast-food outlets this year, including two sites in Bristol.
27-Jun-2008
The Connswater Shopping Centre in east Belfast is to undergo a £6m 40,000 sq ft extension by the end of the year, with the creation of 50 jobs.
24-Jun-2008
John Lewis is said to have agreed to set up an 80,000 sq ft warehouse and office at a new development being built by Graftongate at Cabot Park in Bristol.
24-Jun-2008
Schuh is planning to expand its chain of 50 footwear stores with new outlets in Bristol, Cambridge, London and Ireland.
23-Jun-2008
Simpsons Garden Centre in Inverness is to increase its workforce from 65 to 100 next spring, following a £1.5m expansion programme.
23-Jun-2008
Maplin is to expand its chain of electronics stores by opening 21 new outlets this year.
23-Jun-2008
American Golf is planning to open a further three golfing equipment stores this year, and may roll out a new store format next year.
23-Jun-2008
Tesco is planning to expand its store at Wragby Road in Lincoln by 2010, with the creation of up to 210 jobs.
19-Jun-2008
Ocado, the online grocery retailer, is to set up a 10,500 sq ft distribution centre at a new business park being built by Eshton Gregory at Birstall near Leeds in August.
17-Jun-2008
MediCare Pharmacy Group has acquired Dundee Pharmacy Group, the chain of 22 pharmacies in Northern Ireland with 230 staff, for undisclosed terms.
16-Jun-2008
Marks & Spencer is to consolidate its head office operations in London's Paddington by setting up a 160,000 sq ft office at the Carmine building in Merchant Square, which is due for completion in 2010.
16-Jun-2008
Laura Ashley is in negotiations to set up a clothing and home furnishings distribution centre at the 310,000 sq ft Celestia site in Milton Keynes, which could also involve the relocation of its head office from Fulham.
16-Jun-2008
Geox of Italy is planning to expand its chain of three footwear stores in the UK to 20 by the end of next year.
16-Jun-2008
Halfords is planning to expand its chain of 450 motor accessory stores with up to 20 new outlets a year, including both neighbourhood and larger store formats.
16-Jun-2008
Ted Baker is planning to open a further nine womenswear stores over the next year.
16-Jun-2008
Starbucks has reached agreement with SSP to open more than 150 coffee bars in European railway stations and airports over the next three years.
16-Jun-2008
Park Resorts is planning to open Costa coffee outlets at many of its 37 holiday parks.
16-Jun-2008
Pasty Presto has secured £1.5m from Clydesdale Bank to fund the expansion of its nationwide chain of 22 coffee and pastries shops.
12-Jun-2008
LK Bennett, the chain of about 70 fashion stores, is expected to be acquired by Phoenix Equity Partners for up to £100m.
11-Jun-2008
Alliance Boots is to invest up to £1bn in capital expenditure for its health and beauty business over the next three years, and has also announced the transfer of its headquarters from Nottingham to Switzerland.
09-Jun-2008
Netto is planning to expand its chain of 185 discount stores with a further 13 outlets over the next six months.
09-Jun-2008
Noukie's of Belgium is planning to open its first toy shop in the UK early next year, and believes there is scope for up to 150 company-owned and franchised outlets.
09-Jun-2008
Jack Wills is to open a new chain of upmarket clothing stores under the Aubin & Wills fascia, including outlets in Wimbledon, Brighton, Edinburgh and Exeter.
09-Jun-2008
Lipsy is planning to open a chain of up to 25 standalone fashion stores in the UK, having appointed CWM to find suitable locations of about 2,000 sq ft.
09-Jun-2008
Primark is planning to open its first clothing stores in Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands next year.
03-Jun-2008
Park Garage is planning to expand its chain of 82 Park & Shop forecourt stores into a nationwide business.
03-Jun-2008
Unilever has sold Persil Services, its chain of 75 in-store dry cleaning outlets, to Timpsons for undisclosed terms.
02-Jun-2008
Papa John's has appointed property firm Colliers CRE to advise on the nationwide expansion of its pizza restaurants, with plans to open 25 outlets this year.
02-Jun-2008
Wilkinson is planning to open at least 12 discount stores this year, including its first Scottish store at Castle Douglas.
02-Jun-2008
Neal's Yard Remedies is planning to expand its chain of 31 natural health stores with ten new outlets this year.
02-Jun-2008
Tesco has unveiled plans to build a 25,000 sq ft store in Bideford, North Devon, with the creation of up to 180 jobs.
30-May-2008
Tragus is planning to open 24 Cafe Rouge restaurants a year, and hopes to double the 100-strong chain by 2016.
29-May-2008
Laura Ashley is planning to open about 33 fashion and homewares stores this year.
29-May-2008
Mk One has sold 100 of its 172 fashion stores out of administration to a former director.
28-May-2008
Chips is planning to double turnover at its computer games retailing business to £20m within three years, including new stores in Tyne & Wear, Leeds and Harrogate and the creation of up to 70 jobs.
28-May-2008
Sainsbury's is planning to build a new store at Hardwick Junction in King's Lynn with the creation of 400 jobs, enabling Pinguin Foods to invest in new buildings at the site for its 75 staff.
28-May-2008
Musgrave Retail Partners GB is to invest £33m in the expansion of the supply chain for its Budgens convenience stores franchise, including £10m at its Wellingborough depot and £5m at Andover.
27-May-2008
Dunelm Mill is to create up to 90 jobs at a new 33,000 sq ft soft furnishings store due to open on the Ringway Industrial Estate in Huddersfield in September.
27-May-2008
Morrisons is to re-open a 29,000 sq ft former Safeway store in Blandford in November, with the creation of 140 jobs.
27-May-2008
JJB Sports has acquired Qube Footwear, the chain of 22 fashion footwear stores, from West Coast Capital for a nominal sum.
26-May-2008
Mothercare is looking to open a further 30 out-of-town babycare stores, and will also re-site and merge a number of city centre stores.
26-May-2008
Theo Fennell is planning to open up to 20 standalone jewellery stores in the UK and abroad over the next three years.
26-May-2008
Moda in Pelle is planning to expand its chain of 30 footwear stores to 50 over the next three years.
26-May-2008
Dunelm Mill is seeking permission to set up a new 40,000 sq ft home furnishings store in Bridgend, with the creation of 80 jobs.
23-May-2008
Asda is to create more than 400 jobs at a new store due to open this autumn at Western Harbour in Edinburgh.
22-May-2008
Ethel Austin has been bought out of administration by Elaine McPherson, saving 200 jobs at the Merseyside-based chain of discount fashion stores.
20-May-2008
Feather & Black is planning to open three standalone Comfort Control mattress stores this autumn, which could lead to a chain of 50 outlets for the new format.
19-May-2008
OKA is planning to expand its chain of ten upmarket furniture stores with up to 20 new outlets over the next three years.
19-May-2008
Au Naturale has sold its 46 remaining homewares stores out of administration to an unnamed buyer, saving 550 jobs in Scotland.
19-May-2008
Nike, the sportswear supplier, is to set up a new headquarters at the Doxford International business park in Sunderland, including space for almost double the 100-plus staff employed at its existing site nearby.
19-May-2008
Tesco has acquired 36 Homever hypermarkets in South Korea from E-Land Group for £958m.
15-May-2008
Morrisons is to submit plans to build a new store at Illingworth, Halifax, with the creation of 220 new jobs and the transfer of 150 jobs from its existing store.
15-May-2008
Caldeira of Knowsley has bought Fabric Warehouse, the chain of 14 homeware stores, out of administration.
15-May-2008
Foogo of Lincoln is planning to set up a nationwide chain of 40 convenience food stores.
13-May-2008
Kleeneze is planning to create more than 100 new jobs at its Accrington-based mail-order catalogue distribution business.
12-May-2008
HMV has announced a £50m investment programme that will include the opening of five new music and book stores this year and the refurbishment of up to 15.
12-May-2008
Vision Express has acquired Batemans, the Surrey-based chain of 75 opticians, for undisclosed terms, and is now looking to open a further 50 outlets.
12-May-2008
The Works, the chain of 226 book stores, has been bought out of administration by private equity firm Endless, securing the future of about 2,200 jobs.
12-May-2008
Lush is looking to double its chain of 88 cosmetics stores in the UK over the coming years.
12-May-2008
Crew Clothing is planning to open ten fashion stores in the UK this year, and is seeking sites of up to 2,500 sq ft.
12-May-2008
Carphone Warehouse has secured a £1.1bn investment from US-based Best Buy, in order to develop a chain of consumer electronics stores on retail parks across the UK and Europe.
09-May-2008
Austin Reed is planning to open a further 30 fashion stores in the UK and Ireland this year.
08-May-2008
Oxfam is planning to open a chain of fashion boutiques selling a mix of new and donated clothes.
07-May-2008
Toni & Guy is considering plans to set up a 69,000 sq ft warehouse at ProLogis Park in Heathrow, in order to distribute equipment for its hairdressing salons.
07-May-2008
Patisserie Valerie and Druckers are planning to expand their chain of 55 bakeries with 30 new outlets over the next three years.
07-May-2008
Specsavers, the optical chain, is to set up a 34,000 sq ft service centre at the NG2 business park in Nottingham within six months, with the relocation of 70 jobs from its existing Wilford site.
07-May-2008
Tesco is to create 300 new customer service jobs at its call centre in Dundee.
06-May-2008
Gerry Weber of Germany is planning to open up to ten womenswear stores a year in the UK and Ireland over the next five years.
05-May-2008
Habitat is to close its Torrington Place office in central London at the end of June, in order to relocate the staff to its site on Princelet Street.
05-May-2008
Oliver Bonas is to expand its chain of 22 accessories stores with four new outlets in London.
05-May-2008
Mk One, the chain of 172 fashion stores, has been sold by Baugur to retail restructuring specialist Hilco UK.
05-May-2008
Asda is seeking permission to build a £25m 53,000 sq ft superstore in Ashington, Northumberland, with the creation of 250 new jobs and the transfer of 330 staff from an existing store.
01-May-2008
N Brown is planning to create about 150 jobs at its home shopping business in Greater Manchester this year, in order to expand its IT, marketing, buying and distribution operations.
01-May-2008
Aldi is to open a further four discount food stores in North Wales over the next two years, with the creation of 50 jobs.
30-Apr-2008
Prostar is to relocate its Wakefield-based sportswear business to a 67,000 sq ft unit at the Wakefield 41 Industrial Estate in late spring.
30-Apr-2008
Matalan is to invest £20m in the refurbishment of its chain of discount clothing stores over the next year.
28-Apr-2008
Blossom Mother & Child is planning to open upmarket maternity stores at Marylebone high street in London and at the Westfield shopping centre.
28-Apr-2008
Ghost is planning to open five womenswear stores a year, to add to its existing 13 boutique shops and 27 concessions.
28-Apr-2008
Brantano is planning to open about ten footwear stores this year, while a number of underperforming outlets will be closed.
28-Apr-2008
Krispy Kreme is planning to expand its chain of 36 doughnut and coffee outlets with 11 new sites this year.
28-Apr-2008
Primark is planning to expand its chain of 173 discount fashion stores by opening eight new outlets over the next six months.
23-Apr-2008
Asda is investing £1.5m in the development of a new home shopping service in Northern Ireland, with the creation of 120 jobs.
22-Apr-2008
Leekes is looking into the possibility of opening two new furniture and home accessories stores in South Wales, and is also planning an expanded online shopping service and a new in-store interior design studio.
21-Apr-2008
Living Ventures is looking to recruit 50 staff for a new £1m Blackhouse seafood and steak restaurant due to open in Leeds in May.
21-Apr-2008
Co-operative Group is to invest £1.5bn in the transformation of its estate of more than 4,300 retail outlets over the next three years, in order to create a single unified brand.
21-Apr-2008
Kutchenhaus is planning to open a kitchen equipment store in York with the creation of 20 jobs.
21-Apr-2008
Pets at Home is planning to expand its chain of 213 pet shops with 20 new outlets this year, and owner Bridgepoint has ruled out a sale or flotation.
21-Apr-2008
Pacific Direct, the Bedford-based beauty products distributor, has been acquired by private equity firm Primary Capital for £20m.
21-Apr-2008
Nike is looking to open up to seven company-owned sportswear stores in the UK, with the first in central Manchester.
21-Apr-2008
Mimco of Australia is planning to open up to ten fashion accessories stores in the UK, having appointed CWM to find suitable locations of up to 1,000 sq ft in London.
21-Apr-2008
Rossopomodoro is planning to open up to 12 Italian restaurants in London by 2010, having appointed Richard Susskind & Co to find suitable locations.
21-Apr-2008
Natuzzi is planning to open up to 30 franchised furniture stores outside London over the next five years, and a further ten company-owned stores will open in London by 2010.
21-Apr-2008
Celebrations Group is planning to expand its 280 greetings card stores with 40 additional Card Warehouse outlets over the next 12 months, having appointed King Sturge to find suitable locations.
21-Apr-2008
Anglia Regional Co-operative Society is planning to acquire new sites and revamp or expand existing stores, having secured a £60m cash injection from three banks.
18-Apr-2008
Clic Time is planning to open 22 watch sales kiosks across the country, with the creation of 66 jobs.
17-Apr-2008
Amazon is planning to create 1,700 jobs at its newly-opened distribution centre in Swansea over the next five years.
16-Apr-2008
Carphone Warehouse is to invest £45m in a store expansion and refurbishment programme this year, as well as £85m in its telecoms network and £70m in IT development.
16-Apr-2008
Caerphilly Council is to consider plans from Bird Group for a £60m retail, office and housing scheme at a former foundry site in Risca, including 500 jobs at a new Tesco Extra store.
16-Apr-2008
The Consortium, the Trowbridge-based educational supplies mail order firm with 240 staff, has undergone a management buy-out backed by Royal Bank of Scotland.
16-Apr-2008
GO Outdoors, the Sheffield-based outdoor clothing and equipment retailer, has raised £18m to fund a nationwide expansion programme.
15-Apr-2008
Hawes & Curtis, the shirt retailer, is to open concessions in eight House of Fraser stores this year, and will also open its first store in the US.
14-Apr-2008
Multiyork is planning to expand its chain of 61 furniture stores with about 15 new outlets over the next three years.
14-Apr-2008
Brooks Brothers of the US is planning to open ten fashion stores in major UK cities and a further 15 in smaller towns.
14-Apr-2008
Tesco is planning to open at least 150 Express convenience stores this year, to add to the existing 810.
14-Apr-2008
Tesco is planning to build a new larger Tesco Extra store at its existing St Mellons site in Cardiff, with the creation of 300 jobs.
14-Apr-2008
Straits Trading, the Accrington-based giftware distributor with 27 staff, has undergone a £2.3m management buy-out.
14-Apr-2008
MJL Group of Abercynon is to create up to 50 jobs over the next year, having won a new contract to provide health and safety services to Domino's Pizza.
11-Apr-2008
Marks & Spencer has unveiled plans for a 195,000 sq ft store at Ellesmere Port's Cheshire Oaks development, with the creation of about 500 jobs.
10-Apr-2008
Black & Lizars, the Scottish chain of 25 opticians with 255 staff, has been sold to an investment consortium advised by Dundas & Wilson for £20m.
10-Apr-2008
Cash Generator, the chain of 73 second-hand stores, has undergone a management buy-out for undisclosed terms, and plans to expand to 160 outlets over the next five years.
10-Apr-2008
Bunches is planning to expand the workforce at its Mansfield-based mail order flowers business from 35 to 70 over the next three years, having just opened a new production facility in Newstead Village.
09-Apr-2008
Sass & Bide of Australia is planning to open its first company-owned fashion store in the UK, having instructed BC Commercial to find a 1,000 sq ft premises in London.
08-Apr-2008
Alliance Boots has acquired HF Healthcare, the chain of 25 pharmacies in the north of England with 240 staff, for undisclosed terms.
08-Apr-2008
Evans Cycles, the London-based chain of 31 cycle stores, has sold a majority stake in the business to private equity firm Active for undisclosed terms.
07-Apr-2008
Dobbies Garden Centres is to acquire the Sandyholm garden centre at Crossford in Lanarkshire for £8m.
07-Apr-2008
JA Magson has bought the Toyzone chain of toy shops and the Youngsters toy buying business out of administration.
07-Apr-2008
Jysk of Denmark has unveiled plans to open up to 25 furniture and homewares stores a year in the UK, and could eventually have a chain of 500.
07-Apr-2008
Ferrari is planning to open a 7,000 sq ft merchandise store on London's Regent Street later this year.
07-Apr-2008
Travis Perkins has acquired Tile It All, the chain of 16 tile stores in the North East and Scotland, creating a combined chain of 67 outlets.
04-Apr-2008
Coffee Nation, the network of vending machines with 550 sites nationwide, has undergone a management buy-out backed by private equity firm Milestone Capital.
04-Apr-2008
Co-operative Pharmacy has acquired A Robertson & Son, the chain of three pharmacies in Fife with 30 staff, for undisclosed terms.
04-Apr-2008
Hitchens is to acquire Wallgate Services, the Reading-based retail outsourcing firm, for £8.7m.
03-Apr-2008
Woolworths is seeking retail partners to share space in 80 of its high street stores, with Somerfield having agreed to open food concessions in three outlets.
03-Apr-2008
Carpetright has acquired Melford Commercial Properties, the parent company of Carpetworld Manchester, from Jensen Group for £7.2m, as well as Dutch carpet retailer Ben de Graaff Tapijt for £6.3m.
02-Apr-2008
Tiffinbites is planning to open 50 franchised fast food outlets in the UK by the end of next year.
02-Apr-2008
Ego, the Chester-based chain of five Mediterranean-style restaurants, has undergone a management buy-in backed with up to £9.1m from private equity firm LDC, and plans to open up to ten new outlets a year.
01-Apr-2008
Recruit Retail Services has acquired Kennedy Clayton, the Dewsbury-based shopfitting and installation firm.
01-Apr-2008
Wynnstay is looking to expand its chain of 11 Just for Pets stores with between 20 and 30 new outlets.
01-Apr-2008
HMV is to open its first music and games store at a motorway service station in April, at Stop 24 near Dover.
01-Apr-2008
Somerfield is to sell seven supermarkets to Tesco for about £100m, and is still seeking a buyer for the remainder of the 900 stores.
31-Mar-2008
Welcome Break, the chain of 24 motorway service stations, has been acquired by an investment group led by Dutch bank NIBC for an estimated £500m.
31-Mar-2008
JT Morgan, the Swansea department store, has been bought out of administration by a management team.
27-Mar-2008
Sainsbury's is to invest £273m in a joint venture with British Land to buy back 39 retail sites, in order to add about 500,000 sq ft of selling space and increase non-food sales.
27-Mar-2008
Marks & Spencer is said to be considering plans to set up a new 500,000 sq ft headquarters in London, in order to consolidate staff from Paddington, Stockley Park and Salford Quays.
26-Mar-2008
Farmers' City Market is planning to open a further three premium food stores in the London area this year, and could eventually take the chain nationwide.
26-Mar-2008
Ethicalsuperstore, the Tyneside-based supplier of eco-friendly products, is looking to raise £3m of venture capital, in order to relocate to larger premises and increase its workforce from 25 to 60 by 2010.
24-Mar-2008
Lloydspharmacy has acquired the Donald Munro chain of about 25 pharmacies in Scotland for undisclosed terms, while Munro's wholesaling business is expected to be sold to Phoenix Healthcare Distribution.
24-Mar-2008
Asda is to submit plans to East Devon District Council to build a 40,000 sq ft store in Exmouth, with the creation of 350 jobs.
24-Mar-2008
Lovejuice is to acquire Barefruit Juice, the chain of five juice bars, creating a combined group with 15 outlets.
24-Mar-2008
Polarn O Pyret of Sweden is planning to expand its UK chain of three childrenswear stores to six by the end of the year, having appointed Stephen Kane & Company to find suitable sites.
24-Mar-2008
Zavvi is planning to expand its chain of 125 music and entertainment stores with up to ten new outlets a year for the next three years, having appointed Colliers CRE to find suitable sites.
24-Mar-2008
Smiths News has acquired a 50% stake in Rascal Solutions, the supplier of inventory management solutions to magazine retailers, for £3m.
21-Mar-2008
WH Smith has acquired the United News chain of 80 hospital newsagents and coffee shops for £19m, and has also announced plans to open 29 stores at RoadChef motorway service areas.
20-Mar-2008
Middlesbrough Council has approved plans from PBN Holdings for the £11m expansion of the Parkway shopping centre in Coulby Newham, which will create more than 200 jobs.
20-Mar-2008
Glasgow City Council is considering plans from Hercules Unit Trust for the development of a £10m shopping centre in Easterhouse, which could create 200 jobs.
20-Mar-2008
Felix Group is to acquire Crawshaw Butchers, the chain of 14 butcher shops in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Humberside, for £12m.
19-Mar-2008
Williams & Griffin, the Colchester department store, has been acquired by Fenwick for undisclosed terms.
19-Mar-2008
Dobbies is planning to build a £10m garden centre at Orton Grange near Carlisle by March 2010, with the creation of 120 jobs.
18-Mar-2008
Staples is considering plans to set up a chain of stationery stores on high streets throughout the country, depending on the success of a new trial branch on Manchester's Deansgate.
18-Mar-2008
Whitbread is planning to open about 30 out-of-town Costa Coffee outlets a year, and is seeking sites of up to 17,000 sq ft on retail parks across the country.
18-Mar-2008
Stylo has sold its six Shellys footwear stores to Eternal Best Industries for undisclosed terms.
18-Mar-2008
Xchange Business is planning to expand its franchised chain of No1 Currency bureaux de change outlets from 225 to more than 400 this year, having borrowed £4.5m from Bank of Scotland.
17-Mar-2008
Morrisons is planning to open eight new supermarkets and extend a further 19 in 2008.
17-Mar-2008
Wickes is planning to double its chain of 185 DIY stores over the next seven years, including between 15 and 20 new outlets this year.
17-Mar-2008
Wolford of Austria is planning to expand its UK chain of two luxury clothing stores, having appointed Harper Dennis Hobbs to find suitable locations in major cities.
17-Mar-2008
Original Factory Shop is planning to open up to ten discount stores in Northern Ireland over the next three years.
17-Mar-2008
Hays Travel is planning to expand its chain of 35 travel shops with up to ten new outlets in the East Midlands, with the creation of about 100 jobs.
13-Mar-2008
Speciality Retail Group, the operator of 71 stores under the Suits You, Racing Green and Young's brands, has been acquired by Arafa Holding of Egypt.
13-Mar-2008
Pettifer Estates has unveiled plans for a £20m retail development at Balmakeith in Nairn, including a Sainsbury's supermarket and up to 300 jobs.
12-Mar-2008
Aegis Group has acquired Peter Seagroatt & Associates, the Chelmsford-based supplier of retail sales analysis services with gross assets of £3.3m.
11-Mar-2008
BAA is to sell its World Duty Free chain of 58 stores to Autogrill of Italy for £547m, including outlets at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
11-Mar-2008
Abel & Cole is to create about 40 jobs at its new organic foods delivery depot in Aylesford, Kent, over the next three years.
11-Mar-2008
Blakemore Wholesale has acquired Tyne Tees Cash & Carry, which operates two depots in Gateshead and Middlesbrough, for undisclosed terms.
11-Mar-2008
John Lewis is to increase capital expenditure by £100m to £464m this year, with new department stores due to open in Liverpool and Leicester.
10-Mar-2008
Gap is planning to open five Banana Republic fashion stores this year, including an outlet on London's Regent Street.
10-Mar-2008
Crabtree & Evelyn is looking to double its chain of 44 health and beauty stores in the long-term.
10-Mar-2008
Bagel Nash of Leeds is planning to open five bagel takeaway outlets in the North West this year, with the creation of 50 jobs.
07-Mar-2008
Thornfield Properties has unveiled plans to build a 33-storey skyscraper in Sunderland, as part of the £147m Holmeside Triangle project that includes shops, restaurants and apartments.
06-Mar-2008
Wakefield Metropolitan District Council has approved plans from Moorfield Group for a 100,000 sq ft extension at the Ridings Shopping Centre.
05-Mar-2008
Asda is to open three Living stores at retail parks in Newport, Teesside and Stratford-upon-Avon later this year, taking the non-food chain to 16.
05-Mar-2008
Zumo is planning to expand its chain of 25 smoothie bars with ten new outlets this year, having appointed Cushman & Wakefield to find suitable locations.
04-Mar-2008
Aldi is planning to build a £25m regional office and distribution centre in Goldthorpe, South Yorkshire, with the creation of 250 jobs.
04-Mar-2008
Morrisons is considering plans to build an 800,000 sq ft distribution centre at the Eurocentral scheme near Glasgow, in order to supply its 52 Scottish stores.
04-Mar-2008
Apple is in negotiations to set up a 25,000 sq ft computer products store at Covent Garden in London.
04-Mar-2008
Ikea is looking into the possibility of building a furniture superstore at the Crane engineering site in Ipswich, with the creation of up to 500 jobs.
03-Mar-2008
Tesco is considering plans to build a store on Sunderland Retail Park, and has an option to acquire the site from Mountview Securities.
03-Mar-2008
Peacocks is looking to open a further 120 discount fashion concessions in large stores throughout the country, and is seeking suitable retail partners.
03-Mar-2008
A-Wear of Ireland is considering plans to set up a chain of fashion stores in shopping centre locations throughout the UK.
03-Mar-2008
Thorntons is looking to expand its chain of 376 confectionery stores and cafes to 400, and a new store design will be tested in ten outlets this summer.
03-Mar-2008
Debenhams is to set up a department store at the Weavers Wharf retail park development in Kidderminster, with the creation of about 200 jobs.
29-Feb-2008
Subway is planning to expand its sandwich chain with 30 new outlets in the North East this year.
29-Feb-2008
Hyndburn Council is to consider plans for the £15m expansion of the Arndale shopping centre in Accrington.
29-Feb-2008
Lichfield District Council has secured government approval for the compulsory purchase of land for the £100m Friarsgate shopping complex.
29-Feb-2008
Designcapital has acquired Artelano, the French designer furniture manufacturer, for £1.2m, and plans to open an Artelano shop in London.
28-Feb-2008
Costco is looking to build a 150,000 sq ft cash and carry store at Millbrook in Southampton, and aims to double its UK sites to 40 by 2010.
26-Feb-2008
Clinkard Group of Stockton has bought 12 footwear stores from Leicester-based Stead & Simpson, in order to expand into new parts of the country.
25-Feb-2008
Kurt Geiger, the chain of 16 luxury shoe stores with concessions in Harrods and Selfridges, is to be acquired by private equity firm Graphite Capital for £95m.
25-Feb-2008
Forever 21 of the US is planning to open about seven fashion stores in the UK this year, and could eventually develop a chain of more than 150 outlets.
25-Feb-2008
Orange is planning to expand its chain of 350 mobile phone stores to almost 400 this year, having appointed Cushman & Wakefield to find suitable sites.
25-Feb-2008
Tesco is planning to expand its network of 69 in-store opticians to 140 by spring 2009.
25-Feb-2008
Pret a Manger, the chain of 180 sandwich stores, is to be acquired by Bridgepoint Capital for £350m.
25-Feb-2008
Asda is planning to open 22 stores and create 9,000 new jobs this year, including 1,500 jobs in home delivery and 500 at in-store pharmacies.
21-Feb-2008
Domino's Pizza is planning to expand its chain of 501 pizza outlets with 50 new sites this year, and hopes to reach 1,000 by 2017.
20-Feb-2008
H&T Group has acquired two Christine's jewellery stores in Darlington and Wallsend, taking its total chain to 92.
19-Feb-2008
William Ewart Properties, ING Estates and Snoddons Construction have unveiled plans to develop a £360m Royal Exchange retail complex on Royal Avenue in Belfast by 2013, including stores, offices and a hotel.
18-Feb-2008
Neville Johnson, the fitted furniture supplier with 200 staff and sites in Manchester, Gerrards Cross and Stirling, is expected to be acquired by Key Capital Partners for about £10m.
18-Feb-2008
Waitrose is planning to set up a new 21,000 sq ft supermarket at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight by 2010, with the creation of 160 jobs.
18-Feb-2008
Webloyalty is planning to double the 15-strong workforce at its new marketing services call centre in Sevenoaks over the next two months.
18-Feb-2008
Ryman is planning to expand its chain of 240 stationery stores with 60 new outlets over the next 18 months, and its Partners and Stationery Box stores will be rebranded as Ryman.
18-Feb-2008
Firebox is looking to raise £5m of venture capital to fund the expansion of its online gadget retailing business.
18-Feb-2008
Stylo is to buy the stock and brand name of Dolcis out of administration, including the temporary right to trade from 24 Dolcis footwear stores.
15-Feb-2008
Sainsbury's is to create 150 new jobs at its non-food operation in Coventry, with vacancies in areas such as product design and buying.
14-Feb-2008
JoJo Maman Bebe, the maternity and nursery products retailer, is planning to create 32 jobs at its head office and warehouse in Newport, South Wales, over the next three years.
14-Feb-2008
Rossendale Council is to consider plans for the expansion of the Livesey Shoe Company footwear cash and carry business in Rawtenstall, which could create up to 40 jobs.
14-Feb-2008
Grainger Games is planning to expand its Tyneside-based chain of 13 computer games stores with six new outlets across the country this year.
12-Feb-2008
Cook is to expand its chain of 21 frozen ready meals stores with up to ten new outlets in the South East this year.
12-Feb-2008
Majestic Wine is planning to expand its chain of 146 wine stores with 12 new outlets this year.
12-Feb-2008
Palmer & Harvey McLane, the East Sussex-based wholesaler with nationwide distribution facilities, has undergone a £298m management buy-out.
12-Feb-2008
Warehouse Express is considering plans to open a chain of camera stores, depending on the success of its Norwich outlet.
11-Feb-2008
Frost French is planning to set up a chain of ten fashion stores, including five in London.
11-Feb-2008
FreshXpress is planning to expand its chain of 26 grocery stores with five new outlets this year.
11-Feb-2008
Allders is considering plans to open a chain of bed stores, depending on the success of its new outlet in Biggleswade.
11-Feb-2008
Buy-at, the online affiliate marketing firm with 70 staff in Newcastle, London and the US, has been acquired by AOL.
08-Feb-2008
Marks & Spencer is planning to create up to 300 jobs at a new store that will anchor the £25m Glasgow Fort shopping centre expansion by the end of 2009.
08-Feb-2008
Ladbrokes has acquired the Eastwood chain of 54 betting shops in Northern Ireland for £117m.
08-Feb-2008
Gladedale Capital is seeking permission to almost double the size of the 47,000 sq ft Westhill shopping centre in Aberdeen.
07-Feb-2008
Palmer & Harvey McLane has acquired Northrealm, the holding company of Leeds-based wholesale group WH & HM Youngs, for undisclosed terms.
07-Feb-2008
Sports Direct is to invest up to £20m in fitting out 120 sportswear stores in China over the next year, in partnership with ITAT Group.
06-Feb-2008
Alexon has sold Style Menswear, the chain of 55 Envy clothing stores and 60 concessions, to Hamsard 3032 for a nominal sum.
06-Feb-2008
Pagebet is planning to expand its Durham-based chain of 26 betting shops to 100 by 2011, having secured a £5.7m equity investment from Advantage Capital.
06-Feb-2008
Frozen Value is planning to expand its northern England-based chain of 78 frozen food stores into other parts of England, Scotland and Wales.
05-Feb-2008
Asda is to create up to 450 new jobs at its Wincanton-run distribution centre at the Redhouse Business Park in Doncaster.
05-Feb-2008
Cyclesurgery is planning to double its chain of seven bike stores with new outlets in Romford, Wirral, Bristol, Manchester, Portsmouth, Birmingham and Chertsey.
04-Feb-2008
Hardy Amies is planning to develop a nationwide chain of up to 30 clothing stores over the next five years.
04-Feb-2008
Jane Norman is considering plans to launch a chain of accessories stores, depending on the success of two trial outlets due to open this year.
04-Feb-2008
Debenhams is to set up an 80,000 sq ft department store at the Waterside shopping centre development in Aylesbury.
04-Feb-2008
Caldex, the Halifax-based pet products supplier, has undergone a management buy-in backed by Co-operative Bank.
01-Feb-2008
Shoe Zone has bought 309 Stead & Simpson footwear stores out of administration for undisclosed terms, but a further 37 outlets will close.
30-Jan-2008
Jysk of Denmark is planning to open its first UK furniture stores in Lincoln and Mansfield by spring, and additional sites will follow over the next two years.
30-Jan-2008
Bassetlaw Council has approved plans from Liberty Properties to build a £11m retail park with five large units at Highgrounds Road in Worksop.
28-Jan-2008
D2, the chain of 80 fashion stores, is to be sold by West Coast Capital to a management team, and the Qube footwear chain could also be sold.
28-Jan-2008
Etincelle of France is planning to open a chain of fashion stores in cities across the UK, starting with the Westfield London centre later this year.
28-Jan-2008
Bite is to expand its chain of four Scottish sports fashion stores with five new outlets this year, and will move into England within two years.
28-Jan-2008
Land Securities is to submit plans this spring for the £100m expansion of the St John's shopping centre in Liverpool by 2012.
28-Jan-2008
Fifa is planning to open hundreds of branded football clothing and accessories stores around the world by 2010, and negotiations are taking place to open concessions in the UK.
28-Jan-2008
Superdrug is to invest £9m in its health and beauty business this year, including eight new outlets and a makeover for 291 existing stores.
28-Jan-2008
Dunhill, the luxury menswear retailer, is planning to open a flagship store in London's Mayfair this summer.
28-Jan-2008
QS is looking to sell off 34 of its discount clothing stores, but will continue with plans to open new sites.
28-Jan-2008
City of Edinburgh Council is to receive plans from Henderson Global Investors for the £850m redevelopment of St James Shopping Centre, including new shops, two hotels and flats.
25-Jan-2008
Tesco has submitted new plans to Powys Council to build a store in Llandrindod Wells, with the creation of more than 200 jobs.
24-Jan-2008
Asos, the online fashion retailer, is planning to expand the 180-strong workforce at its London head office with 100 new jobs this year.
24-Jan-2008
Bristol Alliance is to invest £11m in the upgrade of pedestrian areas at the Broadmead shopping centre in Bristol, including new paving, lighting, seating and signage.
23-Jan-2008
Glasswells is to set up a new £5m furniture showroom on the Orwell Retail Park in Ipswich later this year, with the creation of 70 jobs.
23-Jan-2008
Barrhead Travel is to open three new travel agency outlets in East Kilbride, Dunfermline and Glasgow's Silverburn centre this year.
23-Jan-2008
Paperchase is planning to expand its chain of more than 100 stationery stores with at least ten new standalone sites this year.
21-Jan-2008
Dove Spa is planning to expand its chain of spa and beauty stores to 30 by the end of the year, and hopes to reach 75 by 2012.
21-Jan-2008
La Senza is planning to open a further 100 lingerie stores in the UK and Ireland over the next three years, and is particularly interested in central London and the North East.
21-Jan-2008
Stead & Simpson has sold its chain of 25 Famous Footwear stores to Jacobson Ventures, and is now seeking a buyer for its remaining operations.
21-Jan-2008
QS is planning to expand its chain of 204 discount clothing stores with more than 40 new outlets this year.
21-Jan-2008
JG Ross has acquired Jack Cooper, the bakery chain with 20 staff in Insch, Inverurie and Alford, for undisclosed terms, creating a combined business with 27 shops and 400 staff.
18-Jan-2008
Sainsbury's is to acquire Curley's, the chain of supermarkets in Northern Ireland, securing the future of about 400 jobs at flagship stores in west Belfast and Dungannon.
17-Jan-2008
Wynnstay has acquired Wilsons Pet Centres, the Bromsgrove-based chain of ten pet stores with 104 staff, for up to £5.8m.
15-Jan-2008
Coventry City Council has appointed US-based architect Jerde Partnership to oversee the £1bn redevelopment of the city centre, in order to improve the shopping facilities.
15-Jan-2008
Blue Inc is planning to expand its chain of 48 menswear stores with 20 new outlets this year and 20 in 2009.
14-Jan-2008
Tile Giant is planning to expand its chain of tile stores from 32 to 100 over the next three years.
14-Jan-2008
Fat Face is planning to open up to 20 fashion stores this year, and is also seeking new franchise opportunities.
14-Jan-2008
Buy As You View has secured a £6m cash injection to fund the expansion of its electrical goods and furniture retailing business, and its head office will relocate from Llantrisant to Bridgend this year.
11-Jan-2008
Select Retail, the Watford-based chain of 250 fashion stores with 1,800 staff, has been bought out of administration by an unnamed Turkish investor in a £13m deal.
10-Jan-2008
Dunelm is planning to open nine more home furnishings stores this year, with the creation of 700 jobs.
09-Jan-2008
Transform Your Images is planning to expand its chain of five photographic art stores with a further ten outlets across the country this year.
08-Jan-2008
Charles Tyrwhitt is looking to expand its chain of nine menswear stores to 50, including outlets in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol and Manchester.
08-Jan-2008
Co-operative Group is to build a new £12m 270,000 sq ft distribution centre in Birtley, Tyne & Wear, by 2009, and 274 staff will transfer from two existing sites in Birtley and Blaydon.
08-Jan-2008
Morrisons is planning to set up a 900,000 sq ft distribution centre at Gazeley's G Park logistics park in Sittingbourne, Kent.
07-Jan-2008
River Island is in negotiations to set up a 400,000 sq ft distribution centre at Magna Park in Milton Keynes.
07-Jan-2008
Starbucks is planning to open drive-through coffee shops and will start looking for suitable roadside sites across the country later this year.
07-Jan-2008
MFI, the furniture retailer, is to expand its commercial and marketing team with seven new staff over the next few months, in order to support its move into new product categories.
07-Jan-2008
Wallis Business Services of York is to merge with Central Stationers of Darlington to create a combined stationery group with 68 staff.
04-Jan-2008