Comment
Comment features expert perspectives and thought leadership from across the UK retail industry. This section includes opinion pieces, analysis, and commentary from senior retail executives, analysts, and sector specialists on the commercial, strategic, and operational forces shaping retail. Retail Sector’s Comment coverage explores issues such as consumer behaviour shifts, technology adoption, sustainability, regulation, and leadership — providing retail professionals with authoritative insight to inform decision-making and strategic planning.
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Apr- 2020 -21 April
Customer contracts in a crisis
We lawyers have been asked a lot of questions about contracts in the past couple of weeks. At this point, I probably don’t need to tell you why. Most of the questions have been along similar lines – “can I get out of this contract?” and “how much will I…
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20 April
What’s behind the demise of Cath Kidston?
Sadly, the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent shutting of high street stores has compounded the effects on the already struggling retail sector. Along with other 90s/early 2000s favourites Oasis and Warehouse, homeware and clothing retailer Cath Kidston announced it was going into administration this month. According to Savanta BrandVue Retail data,…
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15 April
Will Boohoo’s bubble soon burst?
It’s fair to say that Boohoo was the success story of 2019. It achieved staggering growth and is now worth more than Marks and Spencer – an incredible achievement for a relatively nascent brand. But, as it continues its market domination, you do have to wonder when the good news…
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14 April
How cashierless technology can impact loyalty for retailers
“We’re just getting started here”, said Cameron James, VP of Amazon’s physical retail division. “I think what we’re trying to do here — and with all of our physical stores — is really work backwards from the customer and deliver some differentiation.” James was speaking at the opening of Amazon’s…
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9 April
Coronavirus: furloughed workers and what it means for business
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is designed to help businesses that would otherwise be forced to lay off staff in the face of the unprecedented disruption caused by COVID-19. All businesses with a PAYE scheme in place on 28 February 2020, regardless of size or sector, will be able to…
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8 April
The North Face donates TV ad space to healthcare services
Outdoor clothing retailer The North Face has revealed it has given its European TV ad space to healthcare and frontline services for the month of April to help them deliver “critical messages” during the coronavirus outbreak. The retailer said the move comes at a time where the world faces an…
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7 April
Contactless payments in the age of coronavirus
In a matter of weeks our entire payments ecosystem has shifted. Many supermarkets have reacted to the coronavirus pandemic by implementing plastic barriers at checkouts to protect customers and staff during the shopping transaction. Meanwhile countless retailers and services have shifted to cashless payments to remove contact with consumers and…
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6 April
VAT Deferral – What if I can’t get to the office?
The VAT deferral scheme is automatic but this fact has lulled some businesses into thinking they don’t need to complete a VAT return. It’s easy to think this is no longer necessary, especially as the national shutdown means many businesses can’t physically get to their offices, or have furloughed the…
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6 April
Coronavirus and the Retail Property Sector
Coronavirus continues to spread across the world and many countries have now established strict social distancing measures to halt its transmission. This includes government requirements in the UK that all non-essential businesses close their doors for the foreseeable future. While the effects of the virus can be felt in every…
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2 April
Coronavirus changing UK’s shopping habits, survey reveals
A new weekly survey has revealed how UK consumers’ relationships with a range of sectors is “changing” as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus UK Consumer Tracker from research firm Rare analysed in-store and online purchasing behaviour in the retail, grocery, DIY, beauty, entertainment and alcohol sectors. Compiled…
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