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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Apr- 2020 -9 AprilCoronavirus
Arcadia seeks £50m in funding
Sir Phillip Green is reportedly seeking out £50m to prop up Arcadia Group amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis. According to Sky News, Green’s retail empire has approached banks and hedge funds in regards to borrowing £50m against its distribution centre in Daventry, Northamptonshire. The site, which opened last year, functions…
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9 AprilOnline & Digital
Naked Wines forecasts £200m rise in sales amid coronavirus pandemic
Wine specialist Naked Wines has reported “good momentum” in its performance as it forecasts a £200m rise in its full-year revenues amid the coronavirus pandemic. The company, which operates internationally, said it has seen “strong demand” for its products through its online channel and has invested aggressively in new customer…
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8 AprilCoronavirus Featured Content
The North Face donates TV ad space to healthcare services
Outdoor clothing retailer The North Face has revealed it has given its European TV ad space to healthcare and frontline services for the month of April to help them deliver “critical messages” during the coronavirus outbreak. The retailer said the move comes at a time where the world faces an…
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8 AprilDepartment Stores
M&S announces series of initiatives to support NHS staff amid Covid-19
Marks and Spencer has announced a series of initiatives to support NHS staff amid the coronavirus pandemic. M&S has announced it is to donate thousands of specially branded t-shirts to form part of the uniform pack for the NHS Nightingale frontline team in London, as well as deliver clothing care…
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8 AprilSupermarkets
Sainsbury’s lifts food restrictions as stock levels improve
In a letter to customers Sainsbury’s CEO Mike Coupe has revealed that the supermarket giant has lifted buying restrictions on thousands of products amid the coronavirus outbreak. Coupe revealed that stock levels are now “much better” however some restrictions will stay in place for items such as pasta, UHT milk,…
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8 AprilOnline & Digital
Asos reports 25% drop in sales amid Covid-19 crisis
Online retailer Asos has reported a 25% decrease in group sales over past three weeks as the UK battles the Covid-19 pandemic, despite a 21% increase in revenues to £1.6bn in its half-year results. In the six months to 29 February 2020, Asos also reported a 21% increase in retail…
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8 AprilCoronavirus
Tesco: Sales rise 30%, but virus could cost nearly £1bn
Tesco has revealed that its sales rose 30% in the first few weeks of the coronavirus crisis, in light of increased stockpiling and panic buying across the country. The surge in sales has now stabilised, however, and the group has reported that normal sales volumes are now being experienced. In…
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7 AprilSupermarkets
Ocado unveils new measures as it apologises for inability to meet demand
Ocado has issued an apology to its customers for being unable to meet the current demand for its deliveries which it said is 10 times higher than usual. As a result it has also released a series of new measures including prioritising government shield list members and stopping orders from…
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7 AprilAdvice
Contactless payments in the age of coronavirus
In a matter of weeks our entire payments ecosystem has shifted. Many supermarkets have reacted to the coronavirus pandemic by implementing plastic barriers at checkouts to protect customers and staff during the shopping transaction. Meanwhile countless retailers and services have shifted to cashless payments to remove contact with consumers and…
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7 AprilClothing & Shoes
Clarks confirms ‘small number’ of permanent closures
Footwear retailer Clarks has confirmed it is to close a “small number of stores’ following a review of its store estate. The permanent closures are said to be unrelated to the current coronavirus pandemic, with the stores selected from its 367 strong portfolio already chosen due to having leases set…
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