Coronavirus
This coverage analyses the impact of coronavirus on the UK retail industry, focusing on operational challenges, government measures, financial pressures, workforce management, and shifts in consumer behaviour. Reporting provides insights into how retailers responded to closures, safety protocols, supply chain disruptions, and evolving customer needs — helping executives and managers assess lessons learned and long-term changes.
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Nov- 2020 -5 NovemberClothing & Shoes
M&S confirms it will stay open during lockdown
Marks and Spencer has confirmed that its clothing and home division will remain open despite the lockdown restrictions. According to Drapers, M&S CEO Steve Rowe said that he wanted to make it “very clear” that it would follow the government guidelines but its stores would “remain open”. He said: “We’re…
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3 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Laura Ashley returns to high street with Next partnership
Laura Ashley is set to return to the UK high street next year with a new partnership with Next, which will sell its homeware products and will launch a series of new stores. According to The Guardian, the clothing and home furnishing retailer said it will reintroduce its homeware via…
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Oct- 2020 -30 OctoberOnline & Digital
Amazon earnings triple in third quarter
Amazon has seen its net sales soar by 37% to $96.1bn (£74bn) in the third quarter of trading, up from the $70bn (£54bn) earnings reported in the third quarter of 2019. In the same period, net income also tripled to $6.3bn (£4.9bn) in the third quarter, compared with net income…
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30 OctoberEconomy
UK shop vacancy rate increases to 13.2% in Q3
Shops in the UK are continuing to shutter, with the average shop vacancy rate increasing to 13.2% in the third quarter, according to data released by the Local Data Company and British Retail Consortium (BRC). On the high street, vacancies increased to 13% over the same period, in line with…
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28 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Next Q3 sales fall 17%
Fashion retailer Next has reported a 17.9% decline in Q3 amid the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The firm said its markdown sales were 12.3% lower than last year attributing to “lower footfall” in retail stores and “capacity constraints” in the online warehouses. Cash flow forecast increased by £25m,…
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28 OctoberEconomy
Retail sales drop at sharpest pace since June
Retail sales figures in the UK have fallen at the sharpest pace since June, according to the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) latest monthly Distributive Trades Survey. In the survey of 116 firms, including 54 retailers, non-food retail categories such as department and clothing were among those reporting falling sales.…
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28 OctoberOnline & Digital
Notonthehighstreet mulls £200m sale
Notonthehighstreet is reportedly eyeing a £200m sale after its revenues “surged” during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Sky News. The online gifts retailer is reportedly working alongside investment bank Evercore on a potential auction, and sources told Sky that a “number” of trade bidders and private equity groups have so…
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27 OctoberClothing & Shoes
EWM begins shuttering small number of stores
The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group (EWM) has reportedly already marked a small number of stores for closure as it continues to try and secure its future amid the coronavirus pandemic. According to Drapers, EWM branded stores in Penrith, Cumbria and Dingwall in Scotland closed permanently over the weekend (24-25 October)…
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27 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Clarks begins landlord talks over restructuring deal
Clarks has reportedly “kicked off” restructuring talks with landlords regarding store closures and rent cuts, according to Sky News. The footwear retailer and its advisers are said to be meeting with landlords this week to discuss a restructuring that would see the chain switch to a turnover-based rent model for…
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14 OctoberNews
Asos group sales rise nearly 20% during lockdown
Asos announced its group sales for the year rose 19% to £3.3bn from last year’s sales of £2.7bn. The online fashion retailer saw its UK sales increase by 18% to £1.2bn compared with last £1.02bn last year. Asos said its sales were driven by an additional 23 million customers who…
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