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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Apr- 2021 -9 AprilHigh Street
Frasers warns of £200m lockdown hit
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has warned that it expects to take a hit in excess of £200m due to the impact of Covid-19 – double what the retailer predicted in February. The group, which owns Sports Direct and House of Frasers, has said that further Covid-19 restrictions are “almost certain”. …
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8 AprilHigh Street
Co-op to repay £15m furlough relief as profits rise to £77m
The Co-op has revealed it will repay £15.5m of the Covid relief it received from the government’s furlough scheme but will retain what it received in business rates support. The news comes after it reported a bumper rise in profits after tax and discontinued items for the year to £77m.…
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8 AprilClothing & Shoes
Barbour sees pre-pandemic profits fall 8.4%
Global lifestyle brand J Barbour and Sons saw its profits fall 8.4% year-on-year to £28.5m for the year ended 30 April 2020. This occurred despite the group’s turnover increasing from £225.2m in FY 2019 to £242.8m the following year. Barbour also saw its operating profit decrease £3.3m to £35.1m during…
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8 AprilClothing & Shoes
Asos profits rocket 253% amid lockdown
Asos has announced that its pre-tax profits rocketed 253% to £106.4m in the half-year ended 28 February 2021, as customers continued to turn to online shopping amid the pandemic. The group witnessed a sales growth of 25% across the period, reflecting a strong performance underpinned by “excellent” operational delivery, whilst…
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7 AprilAnalysis
Amazon’s here – so what’s the future for UK supermarkets?
Amazon has set its sights on the UK supermarket sector. From the Amazon Fresh initiative to its partnership with Morrisons, offering free, next day delivery to Prime customers, the arch disruptor is looking to turn the UK multiple market on its head. Free next day delivery for everyday, household essentials…
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7 AprilSupermarkets
Aldi to donate 400,000 meals to charities during Easter break
Aldi has revealed that it will be donating almost 400,000 meals to people in need during the Easter school holidays. The supermarket has paired its stores up with local charities, community groups and food banks to around 149 tonnes of food throughout the UK, with more than 250,000 meals expected…
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6 AprilAnalysis
Retailers’ roles in protecting customers from the threat of fraud
With more than half of retail fraud now cyber-enabled, retailers are under pressure to identify any vulnerabilities across their digital payment process and are at significant risk of financial and data fraud in relation to their credit schemes. E-commerce has been rapidly growing for years and the number of digital…
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6 AprilClothing & Shoes
Peacocks rescued from administration, 2,000 jobs saved
Peacocks has reportedly been rescued out of administration in a move that will save 2,000 jobs and 200 of its 400 stores, according to Sky News. The fashion business has been saved by an international consortium, led by former chief operating officer, Steve Simpson. The chain was previously part of…
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6 AprilSupermarkets
Tesco adds 250 new food donation points
Tesco has announced plans to install more than 250 new food donation points at its Superstores and Tesco Extra stores throughout the country. According to the grocer, the food donations made by shoppers will be given to Trussell Trust food bank or FareShare – a charity network aimed at relieving…
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1 AprilHealth & Beauty
Boots UK sees Q2 profits fall 9.2% as sales drop by almost a fifth
Boots UK has revealed that gross profits decreased 9.2% for the second fiscal quarter ended 28 February reflecting lower retail sales and pharmacy volumes. Comparable retail sales for the pharmacy chain’s UK division also saw a decrease of 17.9% as the group continued to be impacted by lower footfall due…
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