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 -24 MarchCoronavirus
Drop in footfall three times higher than worst recorded, says Springboard
Springboard has revealed that the annual change in footfall last week represented an “unprecedented decline” that was three times greater than the worst previously recorded. The retail intelligence company said that we are starting to see the “true impact” of coronavirus on consumer activity. It added the result for the…
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24 MarchCoronavirus
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Advice for employers
Nigel Morris, tax director at MHA MacIntyre Hudson explains how employers can access the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) to continue paying 80% of the salary for employees that would otherwise have been laid off or made redundant, the practical next steps and potential complications of the scheme. Key points include:…
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24 MarchShopping Centres
Westfield Stratford announces temporary closure amid coronavirus outbreak
Shopping centre Westfield Stratford City has announced it is “substantially closed” amid the outbreak of the Covid-19 outbreak. The shopping centre announced its closure on social media with a statement that it was closed with exceptions from grocery stores and pharmacies to “service our communities’ needs.” The statement read: “We…
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24 MarchCoronavirus
Contactless spending limit to rise to £45
Barclaycard has announced it will be rolling out the deployment of a new £45 contactless limit across UK retailers from 1 April 2020. The payments provider, which enables almost half of the UK’s credit and debit card transactions, said that the increased threshold would “help to prevent” the spread of…
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23 MarchAdvice
How retailers can stay successful when face-to-face marketing and selling is affected
As coronavirus spreads, companies are taking preventive measures to try to keep their employees safe. But with these measures, day-to-day business processes – including manufacturing, marketing, and selling – are being put to the test. How are businesses being affected by Coronavirus? Companies are caught in a spiral of uncertainty,…
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23 MarchHigh Street
H.Samuel announces temporary store closures amid Covid-19 virus outbreak
High street jewellery store H. Samuel has announced the temporary closure of all its stores amid the recent outbreak of the Covid-19 virus. The retailer announced all store closures will take effect from today (Monday 23 March) but its website will be “open as usual.” In a statement, the retailer…
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23 MarchHigh Street
Laura Ashley slashes 721 roles as 70 stores shutter
Embattled retailer Laura Ashley has shuttered 70 of its stores leaving almost 721 people out of work, administrator PWC has said. The ‘Big Four’ accountancy firm said it will be working with those employees to help them understand “what this means for their roles” and provide all “necessary support” including…
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23 MarchComment
Coronavirus: Lessons learnt from a multinational company operating in China
As the coronavirus crisis deepens, here are some insights from the CEO of supply chain planning software vendor, FuturMaster, on the impact of the virus outbreak and how companies can anticipate and react to such crisis situations based on the lessons learnt from various customers – including one of the…
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23 MarchClothing & Shoes
N Brown reveals measures to mitigate ‘sudden reduction’ in demand
N Brown Group has revealed a series of measures it has undertaken to help mitigate the “significant and sudden reduction” in demand it has experienced amid the coronavirus outbreak. In a trading update this morning (23 March), the group said that trading for the first two weeks of the financial…
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23 MarchCoronavirus
PM bans ‘non-essential retail’, instructs public to stay at home
The UK public are only allowed to venture out of their homes for essential supplies and one exercise outing per day, or face fines, under new measures introduced this evening by the prime minister. In a recorded address filmed in No 10 Downing Street, Boris Johnson said the police will…
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