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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Jun- 2021 -29 JuneHigh Street
MPs calls for ‘stronger policing’ to protect retail staff
The Home Affairs Committee has called for a “much stronger policing response” to tackle violence and abuse against shopworkers, as well as more support from employers and more prevention work on local high streets. The news follows a recent survey by The Association of Convenience Stores which found that 89%…
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28 JuneSupermarkets
Scottish Grocers Federation partners with Paypoint
The Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) has announced its new partnership with Paypoint, the instore payment service, which will join a corporate member of the trade association’s board. As part of the partnership, both the SGF and Paypoint will focus on “rebuilding relationships” with other retail partners coming out of the…
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28 JuneClothing & Shoes
Matalan FY21 losses widen to £118m
Missouri Topco, the owner of Matalan, saw its losses for the 52 weeks ended 27 February 2021 extend to £118.6m, up from £16.7m the previous year. During the period, the fashion and homeware retailer swung to an operating loss of £39.3m, down from £69.3m of operating profits seen in FY20.…
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25 JuneCoronavirus
Consumer confidence remains stable despite restrictions delay
Consumer confidence remained stable at -9 in June despite the government’s recent announcement to delay the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, according to GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index. The index revealed that although four measures were up in comparison to the 21 May announcement, one measure was down. The index measuring…
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23 JuneClothing & Shoes
Superdry to relocate Regent Street flagship
Clothing retailer Superdry is to relocate its London flagship store on Regent Street after agreeing to surrender its lease early. First reported by Drapers, Superdry exited its flagship, which it has inhabited since 2011, earlier this month and is now looking for a new site. Superdry is said to be…
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23 JuneClothing & Shoes
Joules expects FY21 profits to beat expectations amid sales boost
Joules has anticipated FY21 pre-tax profits to range between £5.5m and £6.5m, making it slightly ahead of its current market expectations of £5.2m to £5.3m. The news follows the retailers’ recent trading update for the financial year ended 30 May 2021, which saw revenue increased by 4% to approximately £199m…
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23 JuneSupermarkets
Asda donates £30k to support Manchester apprenticeships
Asda has announced plans to donate £30k to small businesses across Manchester to help fund 60 apprenticeships in the area. The group is working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) who is helping distribute an initial £300,000 to local businesses. An apprenticeship levy is paid by large businesses and…
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21 JuneHigh Street
BPF slams gov’s commercial property rent moratorium extension
The British Property Federation (BPF) has come out against the government’s latest commercial property rent moratorium extension. Last week (16 June), the UK government announced a further extension of moratoriums on commercial property owners’ rights until March 2022. Legislation is set to be introduced later this session in parliament in…
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18 JuneEntertainment
Waterstones FY20 revenues decline 4.3% to £376m
Waterstones has reported a 4.3% year-on-year decline in revenues to £376m for the 52 weeks ended 25 April 2020. The books retailer also saw a contraction in profits after tax, falling 8.3% from £22.7m in FY19 to £20.8m in FY20. For consecutive years, no dividend was paid or declared during…
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15 JuneClothing & Shoes
H&M sales soar 75% in Q2
H&M has reported a quarterly turnover rise from the year before as Covid-19 restrictions continue to ease, despite overall revenue remaining below 2019 levels. In the second quarter of 2021, the retail group reported a net sales increase of 75% in local currencies compared with the same period last year.…
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