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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Mar- 2020 -31 MarchCoronavirus
Matalan employees furloughed, ‘massive win’ for safety says GMB
Matalan has announced all warehouse staff will be offered furlough leave in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The GMB said the move was a “massive win for victory and common sense”, and came after the union and workers put “sustained pressure” on the retailer. The union said that the “massive…
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31 MarchSupermarkets
UK supermarket sales surge amid Covid-19 outbreak
British consumers made over 79 million extra grocery shopping trips in the last four weeks, with total till sales at supermarkets surging to 20.5%, according to new data from Nielsen. The uptick in sales was particularly pronounced in the week ending 21 March, which saw a “massive” 43% weekly growth…
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31 MarchHigh Street
Poundland to temporarily close 32 UK stores amid Covid-19 outbreak
Discount retailer Poundland has announced the temporary closure of 32 of its stores amid the Covid-19 virus outbreak, resulting in staff receiving 80% of their average earnings due to the government’s Jobs Retention Scheme. Shop workers’ trade union Usdaw said the retailer is asking employees to voluntarily agree to be…
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31 MarchCoronavirus
Consumer confidence slips in March
Consumer confidence in the UK decreased by two points to -9, according to the latest figures from the GfK. Within the group’s consumer confidence index, one measure increased, three measures decreased, and one measure remained the same in the month of March. The personal finance situation index for the last…
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30 MarchCoronavirus
BrightHouse collapses, 2,400 jobs at risk
BrightHouse has collapsed into administration, placing 2,400 jobs “at serious risk”. The rent-to-own home furnishings brand has now called in Grant Thornton as administrators following a period of poor trading amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. According to the BBC, Julie Palmer, from corporate recovery business Begbies Traynor, said that the…
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30 MarchComment
What are your legal rights if your job has been affected by COVID-19?
Ever since the coronavirus outbreak gathered speed, life in the UK has largely been put on hold. From staff being unable to work due to self-isolation, to workers needing to stay at home to care for their children after schools were ordered to close, the impact on many businesses and…
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30 MarchAdvice
Covid 19: The future health of the high street
The health of the high street is up for debate now more than ever. If retailers were struggling before coronavirus set its sights on our shores, following last week’s forced government closure of non-essential brick & mortar stores throughout the UK, it’s likely that many will have pulled down their…
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30 MarchShopping Centres
Hammerson suspends dividend after collecting just 37% of Q2 rent
Shopping centre owner Hammerson has revealed it collected only 37% of its Q2 rent bill and has suspended its dividend amid the coronavirus outbreak. In a trading update released this morning (30 March), Hammerson said that with figures adjusted for rent deferred, switched to monthly payment, and a nominal proportion…
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30 MarchCoronavirus
Boots and Amazon boost Covid-19 testing for NHS staff
Boots and Amazon are among the retailers who have been called on by the government to help boost testing capacity for frontline NHS staff. It comes as dozens of universities, research institutes and companies across Britain are lending their testing equipment to three new hub laboratories which will be set…
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28 MarchCoronavirus Featured Content
Brighthouse set to call in administrators
Rent-to-own home furnishings brand Brighthouse is reportedly set to call in administrators, placing around 2,400 jobs at risk. According to the BBC, it comes after an increase in compensation claims for selling to people who could not repay due to the coronavirus outbreak. Brighthouse is thought to be the largest…
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