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Welcome to The Checkout by Kuro House, your daily dose of AI and retail news. Today, we’re diving into some exciting store openings, tech upgrades, and industry shake-ups. Let’s get straight to it.
Co-op is making headlines by opening a record 11 stores in just one week across the UK. This impressive expansion is part of their plan to launch over 200 new and transformed stores during 2024 and 2025, with 50 of those opening in just November and December alone. Kate McCrae, Co-op’s operations director, emphasized the goal of creating local hubs that support communities and back British farmers and suppliers. The new stores will span locations from Bristol and London to the Scottish Highlands and Sheffield. Co-op is also urging the government to reform business rates to help secure the future of small shops and community retail.
Next up, a deep dive into how retailers can design mobile apps that customers truly love. An article from The Retail Bulletin highlights that smartphones now account for 73% of all online sales, making app design critical. Key elements include seamless omnichannel integration, blazing fast performance, and AI-powered personalisation to deliver relevant recommendations. Good design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about intuitive navigation and smart product discovery that adapts to different shopping journeys. Retailers who get this right can reduce cart abandonment significantly, boosting loyalty and sales. It’s clear that mobile retail apps are no longer optional—they’re an essential brand expression and growth driver.
Morrisons is stepping into digital out-of-home advertising with a major new partnership. The supermarket giant has teamed up with Bauer Media Outdoor to install 300 digital screens at store entrances nationwide starting early 2026. These Waferlite screens will offer advertisers targeted access to shoppers at the crucial moment of purchase decisions. The seven-year partnership aims to create innovative media opportunities that connect brands to millions of grocery shoppers effectively. This move aligns Morrisons with a growing trend of retailers enhancing their media offerings through digital and in-store platforms.
Meanwhile, Iceland’s executive chairman Richard Walker has criticized UK competition rules as being “rigged” in favor of Aldi and Lidl. Walker argues that the Competition and Markets Authority is too slow to impose similar store-opening restrictions on these German discounters as on traditional supermarkets. Unlike Tesco and others, Aldi and Lidl can include clauses in land contracts that block rival supermarkets from opening nearby, limiting competition. Walker is calling for urgent government action, warning that these restrictive land clauses are harming market fairness. The CMA responded by saying they take concerns seriously and expect to provide an update soon.
Finally, Adena Brands, the parent company of Monsoon, Accessorize, and East, has reported a strong return to profit for the year ending August 2025. Group turnover rose 3.7% to £212.2 million, while EBITDA swung from a £2.4 million loss to an £8 million profit. They also boosted cash reserves by 12.1% to £16.7 million and ended the year debt-free. Key drivers included new store openings, strong digital sales, and a major technology upgrade shifting systems to the cloud and improving cybersecurity. CEO Nick Stowe called the results encouraging despite cost pressures and tax challenges, crediting a five-year investment strategy and dedicated teams.
That wraps up today’s top retail stories with tangible product launches, partnerships, and financial turnarounds. It’s clear the retail landscape keeps evolving fast, with technology and strategy shaping the future. Thanks for tuning in to The Checkout by Kuro House. We’ll catch you tomorrow for more updates.
