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Welcome to The Checkout by Kuro House, your daily dose of AI and retail updates. Today, we’ve got some exciting moves from luxury brands, retail partnerships, and sustainability wins. So, let’s dive right in and see what’s shaping the future of retail and tech.
First up, Mulberry is showing signs of a strong comeback. According to Retail Sector, the luxury brand narrowed its losses before tax from £15.3 million to £7.4 million in the first half of the year. This improvement comes as Mulberry focused on full-price sales and tightened cost controls. Wholesale revenues jumped 36%, and gross margins rose to 69%, up from 67%, driven by strategic changes and new product launches. CEO Andrea Baldo expressed confidence heading into the festive season, highlighting new collections and marketing efforts including the appointment of Cynthia Erivo as brand ambassador.
Now, shifting gears to animal welfare, the Co-op is making a bold commitment. Retail Gazette reports that Co-op will become the first UK convenience retailer to offer 100% cage-free continental meat by the end of the year. This means all their Spanish, German, and Italian meats like Prosciutto and Salami will come from pigs raised without confinement. The move bans farrowing crates and sow stalls across the range, extending Co-op’s existing cage-free standards from 2018. This step has been praised by Compassion in World Farming as a significant advance in animal welfare.
In furniture retail news, Barker and Stonehouse is partnering with Jarrolds in Norwich. The Retail Bulletin tells us the family-owned furniture retailer will open a new concept store inside Jarrolds department store this December. The 12,000 square foot space will showcase best-selling upholstery, dining, bedroom, and occasional pieces from brands like English Heritage and Orla Kiely. Both companies highlight shared values and a strong partnership aimed at enhancing the customer experience. This collaboration comes just in time for the winter sale period, promising a curated and class-leading merchandise offer.
On the fashion front, Quiz is off to a strong start this festive season. According to The Retail Bulletin, like-for-like sales have risen by 6% thanks to their biggest party collection ever. The range features 250 women’s clothing and accessories in sizes up to UK 22, with midi and maxi dresses in mesh, satin, and velvet fabrics proving especially popular. Sales data shows Glasgow, Manchester, Sheffield, and London leading early demand, with an average basket value of £60. CEO Sheraz Ramzan noted that gold accessories are trending over silver, pairing well with current dress colors like brown and berry.
Finally, a quick update on Ocado and Kroger’s partnership. Retail Gazette reports that Ocado’s shares fell over 17% after Kroger announced it will shut three automated warehouses using Ocado’s technology in January 2026. This move follows a site-by-site review and is due to the warehouses not meeting financial expectations. Ocado expects a £38 million sales reduction next year but will receive over £190 million in compensation related to the closures. Kroger will also face impairment charges of roughly £1.98 billion in the third quarter.
That wraps up today’s highlights from the world of retail and AI-driven innovation. From luxury fashion turnarounds to ethical sourcing and strategic partnerships, the landscape is evolving fast. Thanks for tuning in to The Checkout by Kuro House, and we’ll catch you again tomorrow with more updates.
