Coronavirus

Re-energising retail in 2021: Three challenges and one solution

The story of retail in 2020 is one of extreme contrasts. On the one hand, the Amazons, Asos and supermarket operators of the world have all enjoyed tremendous success; on the other, almost every other segment of the industry has been decimated. More than 11,000 chain outlets shut in the…

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Co-op members urge company to return rates relief

The Co-op Group is reportedly being urged by its members to reverse its decision not to repay the millions of pounds it has received in rates relief this year.  According to Sky News, some of its National Members Council believe that due to the £150m it has generated from the…

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Sainsbury’s forgoes £410m rates relief

Sainsbury’s has joined rivals Tesco and Morrisons in a pledge to repay the government’s business rates relief, bringing the total number of returned costs to over £1bn. The supermarket has revealed plans to forgo approximately £410m of its business rates relief. In a statement, Sainsbury’s said it has been considering the…

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Arcadia Collapse: What went wrong?

Once a titan of UK retail, the collapse of Arcadia 10 years ago would have come as a shock to everyone on the high street, whereas in 2020, the road to its demise has been mapped for some time and has now finally reached its end – with its rivals…

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Mulberry revenue falls 29% as lockdown hits sales

Mulberry has reported a 29% decline in revenue to £48.9m during the first half of the year, as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic impacted its sales. For the 26 weeks ending 26 September 2020, the retailer also revealed an adjusted loss before tax of £1.9m (2019: £10.1m) before adjusting…

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M&S to keep stores open until midnight

Marks and Spencers has announced it is keeping its stores open until midnight over the Christmas period to ensure shoppers and staff can upkeep a safe level of social distancing.  These new measures will apply to 400 of the brand’s stores, except those in travel locations, such as airports and…

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Arcadia Group enters ‘urgent’ borrowing talks

Arcadia Group, the parent company of Topshop, has reportedly entered “urgent” borrowing talks in a bid to secure funding and “aid its survival prospects”. According to Sky News, the group, owned by Sir Philip Green, has sought several potential lenders in its efforts to borrow around £30m to support the…

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UK GDP recovers 15.5% in Q3

The UK economy showed signs of recovery in Q3 as GDP grew a record 15.5% from July to September. The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics ( ONS) come after the UK suffered its largest ever decrease in GDP of 20.4% in Q2. This means that despite the…

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Supermarkets launch drive to extend Sunday trading hours

Leaders of the UK’s biggest supermarkets have come together in a fresh drive to extend Sunday trading hours in the lead up to Christmas, according to Sky News. It comes as executives from major grocers, including J Sainsbury and Wm Morrison, are warning ministers that a pre-Christmas shopping rush could…

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The retail supply chain trends unlocked in lockdown

Following conversations and first-hand experiences working with high street and ecommerce retailers, we commissioned research of 200 senior retail professionals to further determine how COVID-19 disruption has impacted stock management and retail supply chains. The research revealed that coronavirus has resulted in four out of five (82%) retailers changing their…

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