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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May- 2020 -21 MayComment
Dealing with true demand today to help customers for the coming months
With the COVID-19 novel coronavirus on the rise worldwide, retailers are being forced to rethink their supply strategies on the fly. Demand for sundries and medical essentials is booming – especially via “buy online, pick up in store” (BOPIS) as well as curbside and home delivery channels that aid with…
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20 MayHigh Street
Johnsons Shoes Company enters administration
Johnsons Shoes Company, which operates 12 stores under the brands Johnsons Shoes and Bowleys Fine Shoes, has entered administration due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Ian Defty and Richard Toone from insolvency and restructuring firm CVR Global have been appointed as administrators, and have opted to keep all…
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20 MaySupermarkets
Asda sees Q1 sales rise 3.5%
Big four grocer Asda has reported a 3.5% like-for-like sales rise during the first quarter of the year following a “surge” in online sales during the coronavirus lockdown. In an update for the three month period ending 31 March 2020, the supermarket said it experienced a surge in demand for…
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19 MayComment
Secondary market represents the key to survival during a crisis
As the Coronavirus outbreak lead to the forced closure of non-essential businesses across the nation, apparel retailers seem to have stopped in time. Relying on online-only purchasing and the movement of essential goods, retailers have witnessed a standstill of stock waiting for the pandemic to pass, are set to be…
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19 MayClothing & Shoes
N Brown secures new funding as sales drop 25% since lockdown
Jacamo, JD Williams and Simply Be owner N Brown has revealed it has secured a new £50m funding facility as it looks to weather the impact of the coronavirus pandemic which saw its sales fall by 25% over the last six weeks. In a trading update the company said it…
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18 MayCoronavirus
Nike warns on subdued Q4 results amid Covid-19 lockdown
Sport fashion retailer Nike has warned this its fourth quarter sales will be impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown. Since mid-March, the vast majority of Nike-owned and wholesale partner stores outside Greater China and South Korea have been completely closed in order to protect the health and safety of staff and…
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18 MayClothing & Shoes
VF Corp sees FY revenues jump 2% but warns Q1 earnings may halve
VF Corporation, the owner of brands such as Vans, The North Face and Timberland, has reported a 2% increase in full-year revenues but has warned that it expects current-quarter revenue to more than halve due to the coronavirus outbreak. In a trading update for the full-year ended March 28, 2020,…
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18 MayCoronavirus
Central England Co-op reports rise in ‘violent’ threats to staff during lockdown
Central England Co-op has reported a rise in “violent” offences being carried out against its staff amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The company reported problems which include verbal abuse and threats, alongside customers threatening to cough and spit on employees. Figures for the past four weeks have revealed an increase in…
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15 MayTips
Transparency in fashion – What it is and whether it’ll survive the Covid-19 pandemic
With the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic keeping shoppers at home, clothing sales are plummeting faster than ever before. How the fashion industry redefines itself after nation-wide lockdowns will determine how it eventually recovers. What is the Transparency Trend? Transparency in the retail industry is promoted by activists and points out the…
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14 MayLuxury Goods
Watches of Switzerland reports 5.9% increase in revenues in Q1 results
Watches of Switzerland has reported a 5.9% increase in group revenues to £819.3m in the year to 26 April, ahead of recently revised guidance. In the 46 weeks to 15 March 2020, group revenue increased by 15.8% across both the UK, which was up by 9.4% and the US, which…
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