Irish fast-fashion retailer expanding in Europe and the U.S.
A slate of Guardian and Independent pieces looks back at iconic robots and sci‑fi cinema, while The Guardian surveys TV droids and the Independent reflects on why Stranger Things resonated with Gen Z, noting nostalgia for pre‑tech life.
Sainsbury’s has agreed to sell Argos and the Habitat brand to Swift Partners. The deal will complete in February 2027 with full separation by 2029. Argos will continue to operate normally during the transition, and staff will transfer to Swift. The move allows Sainsbury’s to focus on its core groceries business.
Shein's Hong Kong listing is priced lower than hoped, valuing the company around $26.3 billion. Trading began shakily, with early losses narrowing as markets digest regulatory twists, tax changes, and weak consumer sentiment that have weighed on the fast-fashion group after a rapid ascent.
Inditex’s Lefties opens its first UK store in Liverpool, featuring robotics to sort clothes and a new online-first proposition. The move, part of a broader UK expansion, targets a budget-conscious segment and faces competition from Primark, Shein and others. The retailer plans more UK outlets based on early performance.
Associated British Foods has reported a forthcoming update on fourth-quarter trading, with Primark leading sales amid a volatile retail climate. Analysts expect a potential late-summer boost from price reductions on hundreds of clothing items, while ABF prepares to spin Primark off as a standalone FTSE 100 entity by 2027. The update also flags pressure from higher gas costs and a weaker sugar division.
Funding Circle has announced that chief executive Lisa Jacobs will leave the group no later than September 2027 and the board has begun the search for a successor. Jacobs has led the group since 2022 after joining in 2012, as profits for the six months to June climbed, prompting an upgraded outlook. Shares fell in early trading despite the upbeat results.
Associated British Foods says Primark has acquired a Sheffield warehouse and will offer home delivery in Great Britain in the future, expanding beyond its established click-and-collect model. Primark sales are dipping year-on-year, with UK performance modestly positive while continental Europe weakens. A demerger plan to list Primark separately is targeted for end-2027.
Retail activity has held up in August and early autumn, with online and department-store sales contributing to a broader pickup in spending. Analysts note energy costs, inflation, and consumer sentiment as ongoing challenges for the economy, while a new government stance signals support measures may shift in the coming months.