Matalan news and archive

Matalan plots to refurbish 40 stores, rolls out concession concept

British chain Matalan has said it will continue to roll out its retail refurbishment plans into the new year, with 40 stores now due to undergo renovations. The updated strategy, which will see 10 more locations refurbished than initially planned, comes in response to the positive response of already refreshed stores, which Matalan said are...

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Matalan names new director of people and talent

Matalan has confirmed the appointment of Beccy Davies to the new role of director of people and talent. The British retailer announced the news on LinkedIn, where it revealed Davies had joined the team this month. Davies comes to Matalan from IT sales and distribution firm Exertis UK, where she served as head of HR for almost two years. Prior to...

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Matalan taps former H&M MD as new CEO

British fashion and homeware retailer Matalan has named Henrik Nordvall as its new chief executive officer, a role he will take up from February 2026. Nordvall will succeed Karl-Heinz Holland, who stepped into the role of executive chair upon the departure of Jo Whitfield after she exited as CEO last year. Holland, who temporarily led the...

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Former Matalan CEO Jo Whitfield names chair of BRC

Jo Whitfield, retail veteran and former chief executive for Matalan, has been appointed chair of the British Retail Consortium (BRC). She will succeed Andy Higginson, whose tenure comes to an end on October 2. Whitfield, who is the first female chair of the BRC, brings to the role 25 years of experience in retail, having previously served in...

Fashion

Sloggi expands reach in the UK with Matalan deal

Comfort-first underwear and bodywear brand Sloggi is expanding its reach in the UK with a wholesale deal that will launch key collections across 20 Matalan stores. Sloggi will be selling its signature collections, including Basic+, which offers super soft fabrications across maxi, tai and midi styles with smooth seams; GO Crush, designed for...

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Matalan names new chief product, brand and commercial officer

British department store Matalan has appointed industry veteran Sarah Welsh to the new position of chief product, brand and commercial officer. Welsh will take on the role from March 10, after which she will be responsible for positioning customers at the centre of the company’s proposition, growing market share and appealing to a broader...

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Former Matalan chief Jo Whitfield returns to Asda board

Jo Whitfield, the former chief executive officer of Matalan, has returned to supermarket giant Asda’s board as a non-executive director. Whitfield had served in a number of senior leadership positions at Asda and its clothing company George from 2008, including in the retailer’s e-commerce, operations and commercial divisions. She went on to...

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Fashion

Watch: From hero gnomes to stylish goats, all the festive fashion films to know for 2024

It’s that time of the year, again. Brands and retailers across the globe have begun unveiling their always highly anticipated festive campaigns. This season, trends seem to revolve around flipping the script on the stress usually associated with the season; incorporating well-known (animated) figures into the storyline; and proposing new...

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Matalan announces appointment of two senior executives

Matalan has strengthened its senior team with two new hires. The company has appointed James Dorling as director of property, responsible for overseeing Matalan’s network of over 220 UK stores and Keith Down as a non-executive director and chair of the audit committee following Paul Copley’s decision to step down from the company’s board....

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Matalan CEO to depart after 18 months at helm

The chief executive officer of British department store chain Matalan has announced her exit from the company just 18-months into her tenure. Jo Whitfield’s departure was confirmed in a press release, in which it was stated that she had decided to step down to “pursue a portfolio career”. During her time at Matalan, Whitfield was credited with...

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Business

Matalan full year sales drop but losses narrow

For the full year, Matalan reported revenues of 1,082 million pounds, down 6 percent on a like-for-like basis, while EBITDA jumped 92 percent year-on-year to 53 million pounds as a result of gross margin improvements, tightly controlled costs and delivery of operational improvements. Gross margin for the year improved 8 percent to 495 million...

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Business

Matalan brings 17 new third-party brands to platform

Matalan has announced the expansion of its range of third-party labels, with 17 new brands having now joined the retailer’s offering across core categories. Among the newly added names in the apparel division are Mountain Warehouse, Threadbare, Brave Soul, ToeZone and Regatta, all sitting alongside Matalan’s existing roster and building on the...