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Welcome to The Checkout by Kuro House, your daily update on the latest moves in retail and business. Today, we’ve got some exciting stories from menswear revivals to fresh food launches and leadership news. Let’s dive right in.
First up, TM Lewin is making a strong comeback on the high street. Dan Ferris, the managing director, shared with The Retail Bulletin how the brand has navigated its post-Covid reset. They reopened flagship stores in London’s Bow Lane and Canary Wharf, both seeing great footfall and customer praise. The focus is on versatile, high-quality menswear staples that fit modern work and lifestyle needs, including a surprising rebound in tailoring. Plans are underway to expand regionally beyond London in 2026, targeting cities like Manchester and Edinburgh. It’s a careful blend of honouring 125 years of heritage while modernising for today’s customer.
In other leadership news, New Look has appointed Mark Matthews as their new retail director. Reported by The Retail Bulletin, Matthews brings extensive experience from Co-op and Bonmarche to the role. He’ll oversee New Look’s store estate and push forward their omnichannel strategy, building on a £30 million digital growth investment earlier this year. With over 700,000 members in their loyalty app, Club New Look, Matthews aims to streamline the customer journey and strengthen in-store digital engagement. It’s a pivotal time for the brand as they blend physical retail with digital innovation.
Turning to financial results, River Island has revealed a tough year with losses nearly doubling to £65.3 million. The Retail Gazette reports that sales dropped 7.1% to £537 million, and EBITDA losses tripled compared to the previous year. The company secured High Court approval for a restructuring plan in August to avoid administration. This plan includes a new financing facility until 2028 with no cash interest servicing costs and a reduced, more profitable store base. River Island is also undergoing a wider business transformation to cut costs, improve margins, and boost sales, aiming to return to profitability.
On the political front, Iceland’s chairman Richard Walker is set to become a Labour peer in the House of Lords. The Retail Sector reports that Walker left the Conservative Party in 2023 and has been a vocal advocate for families facing the cost of living crisis. He’s praised for his leadership in business and environmental efforts, having taken control of Iceland from his father in 2023. His appointment adds a strong voice for consumer and environmental issues in Parliament, balancing Labour’s numbers in the Lords. It’s a notable move linking retail leadership with political influence.
Finally, Wingstop has landed in Ireland with its first restaurant opening today at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin. Retail Times reports that the launch includes a special offer for the first 100 fans to get free wings in any of ten signature flavours. The menu features wings, tenders, burgers, sides, milkshakes, and churros, with delivery available via Deliveroo. More locations are planned across Ireland this year and beyond, as Wingstop aims to connect with Dublin’s vibrant food and music culture. It’s a tasty new chapter for the brand in the Irish market.
That wraps up today’s top retail stories. From heritage brands reinventing themselves to fresh food concepts expanding, the retail landscape continues to evolve rapidly. Thanks for tuning in to The Checkout by Kuro House. We’ll catch you tomorrow with more updates.
