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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Sep- 2020 -28 SeptemberCoronavirus
John Lewis launches new virtual Christmas shop for consumers
Earlier this month John Lewis announced a £635m pre-tax loss for the half-year period ended July 2020. The department store chain is allowing shoppers to ‘walk-through’ its flagship Oxford Circus store and see emerging trends for the Christmas period. John Lewis has also revealed that customers are shopping for Christmas…
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25 SeptemberClothing & Shoes
Hong Kong’s Lion Rock joins race for Clarks
A Hong Kong-based private equity firm, which backs a number of companies such as Taxi hailing app Hailo and Serie A football giant Internazionale, has reportedly entered the race to acquire Clarks. According to Sky News, Lion Rock is one of the remaining two potential bidders vying for a majority…
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24 SeptemberCoronavirus
Chancellor set to unveil furlough replacement after Budget cancellation
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has cancelled this year’s Budget but is set to unveil new measures aimed at protecting employment and the UK economy in parliament later today (24 September). It is thought the new measures will replace the current furlough scheme, which is set to expire at the end of…
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22 SeptemberCoronavirus
Latest Covid-19 restrictions now legal requirements, PM says
Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced a series of new measures to curb the increase in coronavirus cases, including making Covid-secure rules for businesses a legal requirement. Retail and indoor hospitality staff will also be legally required to wear masks while working. The penalty for not wearing a mask or…
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21 SeptemberComment
The window of opportunity for pop-ups
The Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent events of this year have exacerbated the ongoing decline of the British high street, with footfall falling by 81% in April and 48% in July, according to the British Retail Consortium. From John Lewis to Carphone Warehouse to House of Fraser, it seems that no…
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17 SeptemberSupermarkets
Co-op H1 sales surge 8.8% but profits dented by Covid costs
Grocery chain Co-op saw has revealed that like-for-like sales for the six months of the year increased by 8.8% as the coronavirus pandemic increased demand for consumers shopping closer to home. For the first half of the year ending 24 July, revenues at the retailer also increased by 7.6% to…
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17 SeptemberGovernment
Government extends commercial eviction ban until end of year
The government has decided to extend its commercial property eviction ban until the end of 2020. Businesses have been shielded from eviction over the last six months through the lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratoria, which was originally set to end on 1 October. Retail and hospitality trade associations, including…
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16 SeptemberEconomy
EOTHO pushes UK inflation down to five-year low
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) 12-month rate fell to 0.2% in August 2020, down from 1% in July, according to new data from the ONS. The ONS said falling prices in restaurants and cafes, arising from the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, resulted in the largest downward contribution (0.44…
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16 SeptemberComment
What to know: High street tenancies
As the Scottish Government considers extending the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act anti-irritancy provisions, which effectively prevent landlords from terminating commercial leases, speculation is increasing that temporary restrictions in England on landlords taking action against tenants in rent arrears may also be extended. What are those provisions and what do they mean…
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15 SeptemberHigh Street
Creditors approve New Look CVA
New Look has announced that a CVA proposal launched last month has been approved by the majority of its unsecured creditors in a vote that was held today (15 September). Following the vote, the retailer will have a three-year rent holiday across 68 of its sites, as well as rent…
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