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.
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Mar- 2020 -27 March
Co-op fills 5,000 roles in one week
The Co-op announced it has filled 5,000 temporary store roles it created last week in just seven days after an “unprecedented response” to the recruitment drive. The 5,000 new employees will have all been inducted to the group’s network of stores by this weekend. The retailer said that those who…
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27 March
Mike Ashley apologises for ‘ill-judged’ Covid-19 response
Sports Direct CEO Mike Ashley has penned an open letter apologising for the Fraser Group’s response to the Covid-19 lockdown. It comes after reports that Ashley lobbied the government to keep Sports Direct open and was still asking employees to still come to work at the high street retailer. Newcastle…
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27 March
Jack Wills permanently closes another 17 stores
British fashion brand Jack Wills – which was rescued out of administration by Frasers Group plc in August 2019 – has announced the immediate closure of a further 17 stores, bringing the total number of store closures announced over the last week to 22. Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group acquired Jack…
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27 March
Next and TK Maxx halt online operations
Retail giants Next and TK Maxx have both announced the temporary closures of their online operations amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Next announced it had made the “difficult decision” to temporarily close its online, warehousing and distribution operations for the foreseeable future The retailer said that it had “listened very…
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27 March
River Island shuts distribution centre
River Island has announced the temporary closure of its distribution centre in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The fashion retailer said that the move would help to protect its teams and “make sure they can do the right thing to keep their families and community safe”. The group said…
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26 March
Self-employed to get 80% income grant
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the government will pay self-employed people a taxable grant based on their previous earnings over the last three years, worth up to 80% of earnings, and capped at £2,500 a month. Sunak said it will run for a minimum of three months, with scope for…
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26 March
Quiz expects March results ‘materially’ below board expectations
Fashion retailer Quiz has warned that its March revenues and margins are expected to be “materially low” compared with the board’s expectations amid the coronavirus pandemic. Quiz said that prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, its year-to-date performance was set to be in line with expectations. Quiz said since the start…
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26 March
Schuh closes online operations
Schuh has announced that it has taken the steps to close its website as the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold. The shoe retailer said it had taken the step to shut down its online operations as it takes time to “understand the latest government guidelines”. The Scottish-based retailer said that…
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26 March
Wetherspoons’ boss was right to withhold wages
The media and the Twitterati have had a field day vilifying the founder and owner of pub chain Wetherspoons over his decision not to pay his staff in light of the coronavirus restrictions. Tim Martin had sent an email to his 43,000 staff saying he could not afford to pay…
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26 March
Covid-19: Banks under fire over emergency loan scheme
Banks have come under fire over government-backed emergency loans which require business owners to sign for a personal guarantee, as the UK battles with the Covid-19 pandemic. The British Business Bank (BBB) opened applications for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) on Monday (23 March), and claimed the loan…
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