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 -27 MarchCoronavirus
Tesco sets 80 item limit for online orders
Tesco has announced that from today (27 March) it will be limiting the number of items customers can put in online shopping baskets to 80. The move will enable the supermarket giant to “reach more customers, with more deliveries” as the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold. The group said that…
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27 MarchCoronavirus
What we know about furlough leave and the CJRS
HMRC published details of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) on 26.3.20 which are available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme Key points include: Employees that employers can claim CJRS for For the purposes of CJRS, the definition of employee would include workers and agency workers provided they are subject to PAYE i.e. this…
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27 MarchCoronavirus
Next and TK Maxx halt online operations
Retail giants Next and TK Maxx have both announced the temporary closures of their online operations amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Next announced it had made the “difficult decision” to temporarily close its online, warehousing and distribution operations for the foreseeable future The retailer said that it had “listened very…
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27 MarchClothing & Shoes
River Island shuts distribution centre
River Island has announced the temporary closure of its distribution centre in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The fashion retailer said that the move would help to protect its teams and “make sure they can do the right thing to keep their families and community safe”. The group said…
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26 MarchClothing & Shoes
Quiz expects March results ‘materially’ below board expectations
Fashion retailer Quiz has warned that its March revenues and margins are expected to be “materially low” compared with the board’s expectations amid the coronavirus pandemic. Quiz said that prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, its year-to-date performance was set to be in line with expectations. Quiz said since the start…
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26 MarchClothing & Shoes
Schuh closes online operations
Schuh has announced that it has taken the steps to close its website as the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold. The shoe retailer said it had taken the step to shut down its online operations as it takes time to “understand the latest government guidelines”. The Scottish-based retailer said that…
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26 MarchBusiness Bites
Wetherspoons’ boss was right to withhold wages
The media and the Twitterati have had a field day vilifying the founder and owner of pub chain Wetherspoons over his decision not to pay his staff in light of the coronavirus restrictions. Tim Martin had sent an email to his 43,000 staff saying he could not afford to pay…
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26 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: Banks under fire over emergency loan scheme
Banks have come under fire over government-backed emergency loans which require business owners to sign for a personal guarantee, as the UK battles with the Covid-19 pandemic. The British Business Bank (BBB) opened applications for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) on Monday (23 March), and claimed the loan…
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26 MarchSupermarkets
Co-op introduces ‘stricter measures’ amid Covid-19 crisis
The Co-operative has introduced new measures to enforce social distancing in stores, in a bid to protect customers and colleagues from the spread of coronavirus. The community retailer backs the government’s request for “tighter” in-store protocols and has introduced a range of measures across its 2,600 stores including floor markers…
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26 MarchHigh Street
Primark to withhold £33m rent on closed stores
Primark has revealed it is withholding its quarterly rent on closed stores, in a bid to negotiate a deal with landlords that could help mitigate financial losses amid the UK lockdown. According to the Guardian, the payment was meant to cover rent and service charges for a large majority of…
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