News
News is Retail Sector’s central hub for breaking stories, market developments and company updates from across the UK retail industry. This category delivers authoritative, timely coverage on everything from trading performance and executive changes to store openings, brand activity and supply chain developments.
Retail Sector’s news coverage focuses on the business realities behind the headlines — providing retail professionals with context on how each development impacts operations, strategy and market confidence. Readers can expect clear, accurate reporting designed to keep decision-makers informed and competitive in a fast-moving retail landscape.
-
Jul- 2020 -14 July
Face coverings to be compulsory in shops from 24 July
Wearing a face covering in retail shops and supermarkets will be made compulsory from the 24 July, it is set to be officially announced later today (14 July). It is thought that those who are found to be flouting the new rules may be faced with a fine of up…
Read More » -
14 July
June retail sales show signs of recovery
Retail sales increased by 3.4% in June, against a decrease of 1.6% in June 2019, marking the first signs of growth registered since the UK lockdown began. This is according to the latest BRC–KPMG retail sales monitor, which found that the increase in retail sales to be above the…
Read More » -
14 July
DFS to cut jobs as revenues slide
DFS has revealed that revenues were down by £271m in the year ended 28 June 2020, largely due to the pause in deliveries following the nationwide lockdown. In light of the “challenging outlook” for its current market, the group has now commenced an operational restructuring of Sofa Workshop and Dwell…
Read More » -
14 July
AO World reports ‘strong demand’ as revenues rise
AO World said it has experienced “strong demand” during the coronavirus pandemic, reporting a 20.3% increase in revenues to £901.6m, compared with £79.3m in 2019. However, revenues from its Europe arm decreased by 4.6% to €165.4m (£149.70m) during the year ended 31 March 2020, compared with €173.3m (£156.85m) in the…
Read More » -
13 July
Businesses must remain Covid-secure, warns HSE
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned businesses that they must ensure they are Covid-secure as lockdown measures ease across the UK. According to the authority, inspectors will be “out and about”, spot-checking employers that they are complying with health and safety law. HSE defines “Covid-secure” as being “adaptable…
Read More » -
13 July
Halfords plans to close 60 stores despite resilient sales
Halfords is reportedly planning on closing 60 stores as it looks to speed up its store closure scheme despite seeing “better than expected” sales during the lockdown period. According to The Telegraph, Halfords has decided to up its plans to close 6 stores in the year to 60 with the…
Read More » -
13 July
Quiz suspends supplier over non-compliance allegations
Fashion retailer Quiz has said it is “extremely concerned” following allegations of non-compliance with National Living Wage requirements in a Leicester warehouse. An undercover investigation launched by The Times alleged that factory workers at a Quiz supplier were offered as little as £3 an hour to make clothes. Bosses at…
Read More » -
13 July
Debenhams to reopen all remaining stores in Scotland
Department store Debenhams is to reopen nine stores in Scotland from today (13 July), following the “successful reopening” of its first six stores last week. Stores in Ayr, Dumfries, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth reopened on Monday 29 June. Whereas those in Aberdeen, Dundee, East Kilbride, Falkirk, Inverness, Leith, Livingston,…
Read More » -
13 July
Footfall suffers despite June reopening
Footfall in June saw a “significant improvement” against the 73.3% decline reported in May, but was still less than half the level of last year, with an annual decline of 56.6%. According to the latest figures from Springboard, footfall fell by 65.1% in high streets and 62.3% in shopping centres,…
Read More » -
10 July
John Whittaker steps downs as Intu chairman
John Whittaker has reportedly stepped down from his role as chairman of embattled shopping centre owner Intu. According to Property Week, Whittaker resigned from his role as chairman and non-executive director on 26 June – the same day Intu entered administration. It also reported that Whittaker had not attended an…
Read More »
