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Welcome to The Checkout by Kuro House, your daily AI update show. Today, we’ve got some solid moves in retail and tech that you’ll want to know about. So, let’s dive right in and see what’s shaking up the market.
First up, Matalan is celebrating a strong third quarter with some impressive numbers. According to the Retail Bulletin, their EBITDA jumped 38% to £27 million, with like-for-like sales up 2% in the quarter. Their digital sales were a standout, growing 11%, and Black Friday 2025 marked their best online sales day outside the pandemic period. They’re also gearing up to launch a new native app later this year to boost their digital presence even further. Plus, their refreshed stores are outperforming the rest of their estate by 12%, showing that their investment in both physical and digital channels is paying off.
In other retail news, Genesco, the owner of Schuh, is shaking up its IT operations. The Retail Bulletin reports that Genesco is undergoing a strategic transformation to support long-term growth and improve efficiency. This means accelerating AI-enabled innovation, automation, and aligning technology more closely with business priorities. They’re partnering with a global tech provider and rolling out new tools and ways of working, although some IT roles will be affected in the process. The company is committed to supporting impacted employees through this transition as it aims to boost speed and flexibility across the organization.
Liberty has made a key leadership move by appointing Alex Pregnolato as its new chief financial officer. Retail Gazette shares that Pregnolato brings luxury retail experience from De Beers and Versace Americas. He joins Liberty at a pivotal time, aiming to drive profitable growth and expand the brand’s international appeal. Liberty’s CEO highlighted that Alex’s global expertise will help accelerate the company’s expansion into new markets and bring the iconic Liberty magic to more customers worldwide. This appointment follows the recent naming of a new managing director of retail, signaling a refreshed leadership team.
On the geopolitical front, the UK is facing a potential tariff threat from the US over Greenland. Retail Gazette reports that former President Trump has threatened a 10% tariff starting 1 February on imports from the UK and several European countries. If no deal is reached for the US to buy Greenland, that tariff could rise to 25% by June. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called this move “completely wrong,” emphasizing the importance of alliances and collective security. Economists warn these tariffs could hurt UK exports and risk pushing the economy into recession during an already fragile growth period.
Back to Matalan with some additional highlights from Retail Times on their Christmas trading. They reported a 38% rise in pre-IFRS16 EBITDA to £27 million for Q3, driven by ongoing margin and efficiency focus. Digital sales were up 11%, and they had their strongest ever online sales day outside the pandemic on Black Friday. Looking ahead, Matalan plans to upgrade 40 more stores next financial year and launch a refreshed loyalty scheme alongside their new app. Their performance in womenswear and menswear categories helped them gain market share during the crucial holiday period.
That’s a wrap for today’s episode of The Checkout. Strong digital investments and strategic leadership moves are clearly shaping the retail landscape. And geopolitical tensions remind us how interconnected global trade really is. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll catch you tomorrow for more AI and market insights.
