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.
-
Apr- 2020 -29 April
Former Sainsbury’s exec set to head Waitrose
The John Lewis Partnership is poised to appoint a former Sainsbury’s executive to head up its food operations at Waitrose in an effort to navigate the ongoing pandemic. According to Sky News, the group’s new chair, Dame Sharon White, has approved the appointment of Sainsbury’s veteran James Bailey for the…
Read More » -
28 April
Games Workshop to restart online sales amid Covid-19 lockdown
Games Workshop has revealed plans to restart online orders and trade sales in Europe and North America this week, amid the wordwide Covid-19 lockdown. The majority of its stores continue to remain closed. However, a small number have re-opened in China, the Netherlands and Scandinavia in line with local guidance…
Read More » -
28 April
Tesco begins laying off some of its 45,000 temporary workers
Supermarket giant Tesco has reportedly begun laying off some of the 45,000 temporary workers it hired to help meet the surge in demand during the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak. According to the Telegraph, some of the job cuts have come earlier than expected with temporary staff in one store…
Read More » -
28 April
Marks and Spencer suspends dividends, secures funding
Marks and Spencer has announced it will not pay a dividend for the 2020/21 financial year in its latest effort to “maximise its liquidity”. It expects the move to produce a cash saving of around £210m. The retailer revealed it has also reached an agreement with its lending banks to…
Read More » -
28 April
UK economy not expected to recover until 2023, study suggests
The UK’s economy is not expected to return to normal until 2023 due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report issued by economic forecasting group EY Item Club. The group has warned that it is likely to take three years for the UK economy to return to the…
Read More » -
27 April
Chancellor announces 100% guarantee on small business loans
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the launch of a new ‘bounce back’ emergency loan scheme for small businesses, which will offer 100% guarantees on emergency loans. Today (27 April) Sunak told the House of Commons that the scheme would begin next week, offering SMEs loans of up to £50,000. The…
Read More » -
27 April
JD Sports to delay full-year results
Sports fashion retailer JD Sports has revealed plans to delay its full-year results to 7 July 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact the UK. In March the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) announced a temporary relief for listed companies that are due to report financial results during the current…
Read More » -
27 April
Homebase reopens 20 stores
DIY retailer Homebase has revealed it has reopened 20 of its stores across the UK after it was deemed an essential service. In March, Homebase was classified as an essential retailer by the Government, meaning that its stores could continue trading. However, it said that with the safety of its…
Read More » -
27 April
BRC issues new guidance on re-opening stores
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has issued new guidance for shops regarding procedures to maintain when businesses re-open following the lockdown. The BRC, alongside trade union Usdaw, said that whilst it is “not clear” when non-food businesses will re-open for business, retailers “need to be ready”. It warned it is…
Read More » -
27 April
Co-op expects £200m increase in costs amid Covid-19 crisis
The Co-op has warned that the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to increase its costs by over £200m. The grocery retailer also revealed it expects the increase which will be partly offset by increased food sales and the expected business rates relief announced by the chancellor. CEO Steve Murrells said no…
Read More »
