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 -16 MarchAdvice
What will the spread of coronavirus mean for businesses?
The serious health concerns brought about by the coronavirus outbreak (officially Covid-19) have been well documented, as nations impose travel restrictions and enter quarantine to tackle the spread. The UK Government recently confirmed that sick employees will receive statutory sick pay from the first day off work, not the fourth,…
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16 MarchClothing & Shoes
Primark owner shares dive after it warns of coronavirus impact
Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF Foods) has seen its shares dive in early trading after it announced that the closure of its European stores due to coronavirus could leave a hole of £190m in sales. Shares in the company dropped by 100% this morning (16 March) to £0.01p per…
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16 MarchSupermarkets
UK supermarkets appeal for ‘considerate’ spending
British food retailers have written a joint letter urging customers to practice “considerate” spending amid the coronavirus outbreak. The letter was collectively released by such retailers as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Aldi, Lidl and more, and has been published in national newspapers on Sunday (15 March) and today…
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13 MarchClothing & Shoes
Gap sales increase despite ‘challenging year’
Fashion retailer Gap has reported a 1% increase in net sales to $4.7bn (£3.7bn) in its fourth quarter results, despite a “challenging year”. Interim CEO Bob Fisher said the company began to see “stabilisation” in Q4, driven “primarily by improvements in Old Navy’s performance”. However, Gap, the parent company of…
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13 MarchOnline & Digital
Amazon tells employees to work from home
Amazon has told all of its employees to work from home for the rest of March amid the coronavirus outbreak. Speaking to CNBC, the retail giant said it is now encouraging all employees who can work from home to do so, in order to enforce social distancing and “lessen the…
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12 MarchClothing & Shoes
Adidas and Puma Chinese sales hit by coronavirus outbreak
Sportswear retailer Adidas has warned sales in its first quarter of its financial year would decrease as much as €1bn (£870) in Greater China, amid the recent impact of the coronavirus. Adidas reported sales would be down by about €100m (£88m) in Japan and South Korea, which will result in…
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12 MarchHigh Street
Covid-19 could knock £130m from sales, says WH Smith
WH Smith expects that full-year results will see an ‘adverse impact’ from the effects of coronavirus, with up to £130m being wiped from its revenue. In its latest update, the stationary group predicted an impact between £100m and £130m on group revenue, while underlying profit before tax can expect a…
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11 MarchBusiness Bites
ROUNDUP: Business rates holiday announced by chancellor Sunak
In his maiden budget, the new chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced a £30bn fiscal stimulus package to help combat the impact of coronavirus on the British economy including a one-year total suspension of business rates for small retail, leisure and hospitality businesses. Headline measures include: A £12bn plan to provide…
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11 MarchSupermarkets
Ex-Sainsbury’s boss warns of labour shortages amid coronavirus outbreak
Former Sainsbury’s chief executive and current non-executive director at Marks and Spencers, Justin King, has warned that supermarkets need to be “prepared” for a shortage of labour amid the outbreak of the coronavirus. According to Sky News, King said supermarkets are facing a “greater challenge than coronavirus-related panic buying”. Speaking…
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11 MarchEconomy
Bank of England cuts interest rates to help combat coronavirus impact
The Bank of England has cut UK interest rates back down to the lowest level in history to help mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the economy. The governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, announced the 50 basis point (0.5 percentage point) reduction, from 0.75% to…
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