Pursuits

More Trouble in Store at U.K. Retailers as Shopper Spending Ebbs

  • Brexit, cold weather add to challenges for struggling sector
  • Other retailers might follow collapses of BHS and Austin Reed
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Whether you’re selling clothes or baked beans, U.K. retailing is a tough place to be right now.

Figures released Wednesday by two of the country’s pre-eminent merchants illustrated the extent of the difficulties. Apparel retailer Next Plc cut its sales outlook for the second time in six weeks, while grocer J Sainsbury Plc said it sees no let-up in the competition and deflation that have characterized the supermarket industry in recent years.