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 -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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26 March
Co-op introduces ‘stricter measures’ amid Covid-19 crisis
The Co-operative has introduced new measures to enforce social distancing in stores, in a bid to protect customers and colleagues from the spread of coronavirus. The community retailer backs the government’s request for “tighter” in-store protocols and has introduced a range of measures across its 2,600 stores including floor markers…
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26 March
Primark to withhold £33m rent on closed stores
Primark has revealed it is withholding its quarterly rent on closed stores, in a bid to negotiate a deal with landlords that could help mitigate financial losses amid the UK lockdown. According to the Guardian, the payment was meant to cover rent and service charges for a large majority of…
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26 March
Intu receives only third of rent
Intu revealed that it has received only 29% of its second quarter rent that was due from tenants on 25 March. For the same period last year, it had received 77% on the quarter day, and the group is now in discussions with its customers regarding the outstanding rents. In…
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26 March
Arcadia ends fixed-term contracts early in view of Covid-19
Philip Green’s Arcadia Group has reportedly informed its employees that it will be ending fixed-term contracts early as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. In a letter seen by Drapers, the fashion retailer said that the retail industry has been “significantly impacted” by high levels of “consumer uncertainty” and as…
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26 March
Superdrug to stay open amid coronavirus outbreak
Health and beauty retailer Superdrug has revealed its new measures to protect its employees and customers amid the coronavirus pandemic. Superdrug has also confirmed its stores will remain open following the government announcement to close all non-essential services. In an email sent to customers, Superdrug’s CEO Peter Macnab said the…
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26 March
Asos ‘playing Russian roulette’ with employees, says GMB Union
Asos has been accused of “playing Russian roulette with people’s lives” by the GMB Union, one of the largest trade unions in the UK and Ireland. The union claims that social distancing has not been enforced in the fashion retailer’s “packed” warehouses amid the coronavirus pandemic. It is now calling…
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25 March
Government urges Sports Direct and JD Wetherspoon to support employees
Boris Johnson has warned Sports Direct CEO Mike Ashley to “expect consequences” if he does not follow the recent guidelines amid the coronavirus outbreak. Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah raised the question during today’s Prime Minister’s Questions after reports that Ashley was still asking employees to still come to work…
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25 March
20,000 stores could close this year, says Centre of Retail Research
A total of 20,620 retail stores will have shuttered by the end of the year, according to the Centre of Retail Research. In the newly-released ‘Coronavirus: Lost Lives, Lost Stores and Lost Jobs’ report, it was revealed that 4,547 more businesses would have to close their doors in 2020 compared…
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