Covid-19
This coverage examines the effects of Covid-19 on the UK retail industry, focusing on operational disruption, financial pressures, consumer behaviour shifts, and recovery strategies. Reporting includes lockdown impacts, safety measures, supply chain challenges, online growth, and leadership decisions that shaped responses to the crisis. Designed for executives and managers, it offers lessons and insights for navigating future disruptions.
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Feb- 2022 -7 FebruaryFeatures
Rising from the ashes: How retailers can come back even stronger in 2022
If 2020 was the year of unprecedented events, then 2021 was the year of the aftermath. Even at the beginning of the year, when we hoped the worst of the pandemic was over, lockdown restrictions stopped many retailers and brands in their tracks. For those with a physical-only presence, the…
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7 FebruaryEconomy
Consumer confidence falls for second consecutive quarter
The Deloitte Consumer Tracker has revealed UK consumer confidence fell by one percentage point in Q4 2021 to -11%, the second consecutive quarter of decline. Deloitte said the result comes after consumers started to feel the “squeeze of inflation” and pockets were hit with higher household bills. Personal expenditure in…
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4 FebruaryNews
Mattress Online expands team with six new appointments
Mattress Online, the UK’s independent mattress retailer, has strengthened its team with six new hires as home working continues to drive retail trends. During the pandemic, the firm said it saw turnover leap to £37.5m fuelled by stay-at-home spending on DIY and homeware. The trend is expected to continue in…
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Jan- 2022 -31 JanuaryNews
Studio Group warns of profit hit amid ‘shipping issues’
Studio Retail Group has revealed its adjusted profit before tax for the full year is set to be lower than expected, after incurring further costs linked to shipping delays and port congestion. According to the retailer’s Q3 trading period for the 13 weeks to 24 December 2021, it now expects…
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26 JanuaryNews
Over a quarter of retail workers want to leave sector, data finds
Retail is threatening to “drive away” more than a quarter of its workers from the industry, according to the workforce management app Deputy. In total, 28% of UK retail workers want to leave their jobs, with 20% hoping to switch to a new industry and 8% looking to quit, with…
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25 JanuaryCoronavirus
Study reveals areas hit hardest by Covid-induced retail insolvencies
Norwich has been revealed as the area hit hardest by Covid-induced retail insolvencies, according to a study by Wholesale Clearance. It revealed that between March 2020 and September 2021 Norwich experienced 8.27 businesses shutting down out of every 100 and a total of 49 insolvencies. It said that for Norwich,…
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24 JanuaryEconomy
Retail sales rebound but challenges remain, data finds
The reopening of the economy post-lockdown led to a rebound in sales for FTSE Retailers but warnings have been issued for challenges ahead, according to EY-Parthenon’s latest report. It revealed most retailers experienced a successful Christmas trading period – data from the British Retail Consortium shows that non-food sales in…
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20 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Superdry H1 losses narrow despite dip in revenues
Superdry said it has been hit by the continued impact of Covid-19 as well as its move to a full-price trading stance, as revenue fell by 1.9% on a one-year basis and 24.9% on a two-year basis in the half-year ended 23 October 2021. Nonetheless, the fashion retailer ensured that…
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18 JanuaryHigh Street
Hotel Chocolat sees Q2 revenues jump 37%
Hotel Chocolat, the British chocolatier and omni-channel retailer, has revealed it saw group revenues increase 37% during the 13-week period ended 26 December 2021. It said that total group revenue for H1 has also been “strong”, increasing 40% compared to the prior year, and by 56% compared to the equivalent…
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18 JanuaryNews
Employment continues to rise
The UK shows ‘continuing’ recovery in the labour market, with employment continuing to rise, according to the ONS latest Labour Force Survey estimates for September to November 2021. It revealed in December 2021 there were 29.5 million employees in the UK, up 184,000 on the revised November 2021 level and…
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