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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Oct- 2020 -14 OctoberSupermarkets
Tesco to hire 11,000 temporary staff
Tesco is set to hire more than 11,000 temporary members of staff to assist its stores during the festive period. New recruits will be hired across the UK and work in Tesco’s Superstores and Extra stores, with the focus being on filling roles in online delivery and store replenishment. Rachel…
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13 OctoberEconomy
UK unemployment rises to 4.5%
The UK unemployment rate increased to 4.5% during the three months from July to August, the highest level in over three years. According to the latest figures from the office of National Statistics (ONS), the total number of unemployed increased by 138,000 to 1.58 million people. It comes as over…
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8 OctoberOnline & Digital
Very Group revenue tops £2bn for first time
The Very Group has announced a return to profit as group revenue rose by 2.9% in the full-year to top £2bn for the first time in its history. The group reported a pre-tax profit of £48m and underlying EBITDA of £264m, both of which included coronavirus-related costs. Very.co.uk retail sales…
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7 OctoberSupermarkets
Tesco profits soar despite coronavirus hit
Tesco has welcomed a surge in profits, with pre-tax profit soaring by 28.7% to £551m in the first-half of its financial year. In the same period, group sales rose by 6.6% to £26.7bn, up from £25bn reported the year before. While clothing sales were down by 17.2%, food sales were…
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6 OctoberHigh Street
Curfew and poor weather leads to second week of footfall decline
Overall, retail footfall across all destinations is 31.4% lower than last year Footfall has declined by 3.5% in the latest figures, and is attributed to both the 10pm curfew and heavy rainfall. According to retail experts Springboard, excessive rain from Wednesday onwards hit shopping patterns. Sunday and Tuesday…
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2 OctoberCoronavirus
Nearly half of UK firms report Q3 sales decrease
Business conditions remain weak in the third quarter of 2020, despite “much of the economy” reopening, according to the latest Quarterly Economic Survey from the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC). Its survey of 6,410 firms found that while key indicators have improved from the “historic lows” in Q2, they remain…
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Sep- 2020 -29 SeptemberEconomy
ScS posts full year loss despite post-lockdown boost
ScS has revealed it made a statutory loss of £3.1m before tax in the preliminary results for the year ending 25 July 2020. The home furnishings specialist also reported a 19.5% decrease in revenue to £255.5m. However, it said it remained “confident” and that the company had achieved a “resilient…
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29 SeptemberAdvice
How to retain customers gained during the pandemic
Big life events like marriage, divorce, becoming parents, and the current once in a century pandemic, all have a huge impact on our shopping behaviour. This, in turn, creates an opportunity for retailers to establish new, profitable customer relationships. It’s no surprise that those with a strong ecommerce offering have…
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28 SeptemberHigh Street
Arcadia Group to put Burton HQ on the market
Sir Philip Green has reportedly put Burton’s former London headquarters on the market, according to The Sunday Times. The owner of Arcadia Group has drafted in agents from BNP Paribas to bring the Tottenham Court Road site to market for an asking price of £80m. The move follows rising pressure…
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28 SeptemberEconomy
£3bn tariff ahead for UK retailers and consumers, warns BRC
Supermarkets and their customers could face £3bn a year of tariffs on food and drink if a free trade deal is not agreed between the UK and the EU before 1st January 2020, The BRC has warned In its report the association said an average increase in tariffs of 20%…
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