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 -5 MayHigh Street
Government launches £6.1m fund to help high streets through pandemic
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are set to receive a £6.1m funding boost to help high streets and town centres through the Covid-19 pandemic. According to high streets minister Simon Clarke, hundreds of local business partnerships across England will share the fund to spend on projects that will help their local…
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5 MayClothing & Shoes
J.Crew files for bankruptcy protection
J.Crew has become the first major US retailer to officially file for bankruptcy protection amid the global lockdown. As per the terms of the new filing agreement, the fashion retailer’s main creditors will take control of the group in exchange for cancelling debts of $1.65bn (£1.3bn), converting them into equity.…
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5 MayPeople Moves
JD Sports blocks director appointment at Boohoo
Sportswear giant JD has reportedly blocked non-executive director Kath Smith from joining online fashion retailer Boohoo in the same role. The online fashion group announced the appointment of Smith last month, effective from 1 May. Boohoo’s group CEO Mahmud Kamani had said: “Her commercial insight will be a great asset…
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4 MayCoronavirus
Government announces new £617m scheme for SMEs in shared office spaces
The Business Rates loophole which meant small businesses in shared office space missed out on a £10,000 cash grant has been plugged with a new £617m funding scheme. The Department for Business, Energy, Innovation & Skills (BEIS) confirmed the new £617m scheme to support businesses in shared spaces, regular market…
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1 MayBusiness Bites
Are we beginning to re-open anyway?
The PM says he will soon announce the reopening plan after weeks of compulsory lockdown for the UKs public and its businesses. Boris Johnson is under pressure to come up with the blueprint for restarting the economy as the list of suffering firms grows larger and more and more redundancies…
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1 MayCoronavirus
Iceland boss hits back at HMRC over minimum wage probe
The boss of Iceland has hit back at HMRC for “harassing” the business in regards to a previous minimum wage tax dispute amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. According to the Times, Sir Malcom Walker, who founded the businesses over 50 years ago, said in a letter that HMRC should be…
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1 MayEconomy
Quarter of retail SMEs will need up to two years to recover
Nearly a quarter (22%) of SMEs in the retail sector believe it will take up to two years to recoup the financial losses caused by Covid-19, according to research from law firm Buckworths. The firm surveyed over 500 UK SME owners and decision-makers to gauge attitudes towards the Government’s response…
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Apr- 2020 -30 AprilCoronavirus
Oasis and Warehouse stores closed ‘indefinitely’, 1,800 jobs lost
Over 1,800 employees at fashion retailers Oasis and Warehouse are set to be made redundant after administrators failed to find a new buyer for the retailers. The fashion brands have now been sold to Hilco, a restructuring firm and former owner of HMV. Whilst Hilco agreed to buy the retailer’s…
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30 AprilComment
Five key considerations for retail businesses re-opening stores
Necessary to tackle the growing spread of Coronavirus, the decision to place various national and regional markets into lockdown has had a profound and crippling economic impact on many retail businesses. Whilst demand has grown for those with strong e-commerce arms, for those reliant on physical instore sales the economic…
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30 AprilCoronavirus
Covid-19: 70% of shopworkers are experiencing anxiety, says Udsaw
Shopworkers trade union Usdaw has released statistics revealing 70% of shop workers are experiencing anxiety and have raised concerns with their employers amid the Covid-19 crisis. The statistics revealed that 39% of the 7,357 members surveyed, primarily essential workers in shops, distribution warehouses, road transport or work as delivery drivers…
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