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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Sep- 2021 -24 SeptemberDepartment Stores
Selco to open two new branches by 2022
Selco has announced plans to open two new branches in the last three months of 2021, in Canning Town next month and Rochester in December. The new branches will create more than 60 jobs in local areas. The warehouse-retailer will have opened three stores in 2021, after the launch of…
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Aug- 2021 -20 AugustHigh Street
Retail sales growth slows in July
Retail sales volumes fell by 2.5% between June and July 2021, as rainy weather and last month’s ‘pingdemic’ dampened demand from consumers. Nonetheless, sales were still up by 5.2% in the three months to July against the previous three months, and 5.8% higher than their pre-pandemic February 2020 levels, according…
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18 AugustEconomy
Inflation slows to 2% in July
Inflation slowed to 2% in July down from 2.5% the previous month, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). It found that clothing and footwear, and a variety of recreational goods and services made the largest downward contributions to the change, with inflation now hitting…
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6 AugustHigh Street
Footfall stalls due to ‘turbulent’ July weather, says BRC
Total footfall across the UK declined 28% for the four weeks to 31 July 2021 when compared to the same period in 2019. According to the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC’s) sensormatic IQ data, the figure sits below the three-month average of a 27.7% fall. The drop has been attributed to…
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2 AugustOnline & Digital
Amazon growth slows in Q2
While sales in Amazon’s second quarter soared by 27% to $113bn (£81bn) against 2020, growth slowed down from a 44% climb in the first quarter, as Wall Street had forecast sales of $115bn (£83bn). The deceleration is expected to continue, according to Amazon, as it guided for a 10% to…
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Jul- 2021 -13 JulyHigh Street
Hotel Chocolat raises profit forecast amid sales boom
Hotel Chocolat has anticipated that its underlying pre-tax profit for FY21 will be “higher than its previous expectations” amid a period of rising sales for the group. The revised expectation comes as the retailer’s post-close trading update reported a revenue increase of 21% to £165m for the full-year ended 27…
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6 JulyAdvice
Retail sector valuations in the current climate
The current pandemic has caused widespread disruption to the retail sector, with many struggling to maintain a healthy cashflow and revenues and profits down on previous years. Knowing the different types of valuation methods and when to use them can help business owners know what their company is worth now, helping to support their…
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Jun- 2021 -18 JuneEconomy
Return to restaurants sees retail sales fall by 1.4%
UK retail sales fell by 1.4% between April and May, following a sharp increase in April when retail restrictions were eased, according to data from the Office of National statistics (ONS). The largest contribution to the monthly decline came from grocery stores where sales volumes fell by 5.7% – the…
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15 JuneCoronavirus
Sunak to reject furlough extension calls despite ‘freedom day’ delay
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is reportedly set to reject calls for an extension of the furlough scheme and business rates report to businesses despite the prime minister announcing a four-week delay to the lifting of restrictions. According to the Guardian, sources close to the chancellor have said that he believes sufficient…
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11 JuneDepartment Stores
Selfridges owners considering £4bn sale
The owners of Selfridges department store, The Weston family, are reportedly considering a £4bn sale of the property. According to reports first revealed by React News, the Weston family have been approached by an unknown buyer and have lined up Credit Suisse as advisers to explore a potential sale. It…
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