Morleys Department Stores news and archive

Morleys appoints Melanie Smallwood as chief trading officer

Morley Department Stores Limited (Morleys), the London-based independent department store chain, has appointed Melanie Smallwood to the newly created position of chief trading officer (CTO). Smallwood will join the group in April, reporting directly to the chief executive officer of Morleys, Ray Clacher. Smallwood brings more than 30 years of...

Fairs

Spring Fair: Morleys’ new CEO talks the reopening of Jolly’s Bath store

Ahead of the reopening of Jolly’s store in Bath, the new chief executive of Morleys took to the stage of Spring Fair to discuss his vision for the future of the department store. Ray Clacher, who took up the helm of the group on January 5, spoke on the evolving role of these retail formats and how he intends to channel this into a transformed...

People

Morleys Department Stores appoints Ray Clacher as new CEO

Morleys Department Stores has announced a significant shake-up of its senior leadership team as the historic retailer prepares for a new phase of growth. Ray Clacher has been appointed as the group’s new chief executive officer, effective January 5, 2026. Clacher, who most recently served as chief commercial officer at BrandAlley, brings an...

Featured

Retail

Morleys Stores to reopen historic Jolly's store in Bath

Department store group Morleys Stores, which has 8 locations across the UK, is reopening the iconic Jolly's store in Milsom Street, Bath. The new look Jolly's will open in two phases - an initial launch in March 2026, followed by a full completion and grand opening in October 2026, in time for the key trading period in the last quarter of the...