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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Jul- 2020 -6 JulyClothing & Shoes
NCA confirms probe into Boohoo working conditions
The National Crime Agency has confirmed it is investigating fashion retailer Boohoo following allegations of poor working conditions in a Leicester warehouse. An NCA spokesman told Retail Sector: “Within the last few days NCA officers, along with Leicestershire Police and other partner agencies, attended a number of business premises in…
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6 JulyClothing & Shoes
Boohoo to investigate illegal practices at factory
Boohoo has responded to allegations of slavery and poor working conditions after a Sunday Times exposé highlighted the conditions at supplier Jaswal Fashions in a recent undercover report. Only last week, the fashion retailer defended its business practices against accusations that it was putting workers at factories in Leicester at…
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3 JulyClothing & Shoes
Boohoo denies it ‘puts workers at risk’
Online clothing retailer Boohoo has defended its business practices against accusations that it was putting workers at factories in Leicester at risk of contracting coronavirus. The allegations made by worker’s rights group Labour Behind the Label come after the East Midlands city was placed under lockdown earlier this week. The…
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2 JulyHigh Street
Casual Dining Group falls into administration
The owner of Bella Italia and Café Rouge, Casual Dining Group, has fallen into administration. According to a report by the BBC, almost 1,900 of the group’s 6,000 strong workforce have been made redundant, with 91 sites closing their doors for good. The BBC said AlixPartners, the appointed administrators, will…
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2 JulyClothing & Shoes
Arcadia to cut 500 head office jobs
Arcadia has revealed it is set to cut around 500 head office roles due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The group reportedly informed staff in an email on Wednesday around a fifth of its 2,500 head office staff would be affected by the restructuring. Reports suggest that the…
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2 JulyCoronavirus
High street retailers ‘urgently’ need government recovery plan, says Usdaw
Shopworkers union Usdaw has urged the government to agree with employers and trade unions a recovery plan for the high street as “thousands of further job losses are announced”. The union said the scale of job losses across the retail industry is “accelerating” as the high street continues to struggle…
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1 JulyCoronavirus
Harrods to cut 700 jobs
Luxury department store Harrods is set to cut around 700 jobs as it attempts to weather the storm caused by the coronavirus pandemic. According to The Guardian, Harrods has told its staff that one in seven of its employees would be affected by jobs cut. The paper revealed that in…
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1 JulyHigh Street
Harveys collapses into administration as Bensons saved
Furniture retailer Harveys has collapsed into administration after the retailer’s parent company, Blue Group, called in PwC to financially restructure the business. Bensons for Beds, which is also owned by Blue Group, has been saved from the same fate after it was acquired by Blue Group owner Alteri Investors in…
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1 JulyDIY
Kingfisher appoints ex-Travis Perkins CFO as non-executive director
Kingfisher has announced the appointment of former Travis Perkins CFO, Tony Buffin, as a non-executive director with effect from 1 December 2020. Buffin joined Holland and Barrett as CEO last year, prior to this, he held the position as chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Travis Perkins. He…
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Jun- 2020 -30 JuneCoronavirus
Government confirms changes to ‘flexible’ furlough scheme
The UK government has confirmed the latest set of changes to its “flexible” furlough scheme – dubbed CJRS V2 – ahead of its launch of the 1 July. HM Revenue and Customs has set out the new guidance as the current version of the Coronavirus Job retention Scheme (CJRS) ends…
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