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retail

Waterstones has acquired UK independent bookstore Blackwell’s, which operates 24 stores. The stores will continue to trade under the Blackwell’s brand and name. Waterstones managing director James Daunt said: “We greatly look forward to working alongside the booksellers at Blackwell’s as we secure the future of these wonderful bookshops and preserve academic bookselling in so many towns and campuses across the UK.”

LEISURE

US fast food chain Wendy’s is set to continue its UK rollout with a further 10 restaurants to open this year. The brand’s previously announced target of 50 locations also includes delivery kitchens. All in all, Wendy’s hopes to open up to 400 UK sites. After previous attempts to enter the UK market failed, the first store of this new expansion drive opened in Reading last year, followed closely by openings in Oxford, London and Brighton.

Boparan Restaurant Group is to open 30 restaurant hubs within Sainsbury’s stores over the next year. The hubs will offer a selection of eat-in, delivery and takeaway options from Boparan brands including Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Caffé Carluccio’s and Ed’s Diner. Simultaneously, Starbucks is set to increase its presence at Sainsbury’s stores from 30 to 60 over the next 12 months.

PROPERTY

Amazon has announced the closure of its 68 physical book stores and 4-Star stores across the UK and US. The online retailer has announced it will focus on its grocery and department store concepts instead, including the Just Walk Out technology at these stores. The closures affect two UK 4-Star stores- one in Bluewater, Kent, and the other in Westfield London.