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- 2021 -24 FebruaryCoronavirus
Chancellor expected to extend furlough until May
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce a further extension to the government’s furlough scheme until May in his Budget speech next week. According to The Times, the move is expected after Boris Johnson promised not to “pull the rug out” from businesses when restrictions eventually begin to ease under…
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24 FebruaryCoronavirus
Scotland to reopen non-essential retail from 26 April
First minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that non-essential retailers in Scotland will be able to reopen from 26 April. Sturgeon outlined the country’s exit out of lockdown restrictions yesterday (23 February), giving businesses a timeframe of when they can expect to reopen. Scotland’s stay-at-home order is likely to remain in…
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24 FebruaryHigh Street
Home Bargains 2020 turnover soars to £2.8bn
TJ Morris, the owner of discount retailer Home Bargains, has reported an annual turnover of £2.8bn for the year ended 30 June 2020. The revenue represents a 13% year-on-year increase as the group’s turnover climbed £321m from its 2019 level. Operating profits also increased by the same margin for the…
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23 FebruaryAdvice
Demystifying retail marketing: how to get the most out of email
A modern marketer is a master of metrics – and none more so than those in retail. From Funnel Conversion Rates to Marketing Spend per Customer, Customer Acquisition cost to Brand Awareness, Customer Retention to overall ROI – marketers are constantly assessing and fine tuning their strategies based on their…
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23 FebruaryCoronavirus
Frasers warns of £100m lockdown hit
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has announced it currently expects to take a hit in excess of £100m due to the impact of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions on non-essential retailers. The announcement comes in response to the prime minister’s reopening roadmap unveiled yesterday (22 February) that sees non-essential retailers such as the…
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23 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Moncler EBIT falls 25% in FY20
Moncler has announced its EBIT fell by 25% to €368.8m (£318m) for the financial year ended 31 December 2020, down from €491.8m (£424m) the prior year. The retailer also saw an 11% decline for its consolidated revenues to €1.4bn (£1.2bn), down from €1.62bn (£1.39bn) the previous year. Net income dropped…
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23 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Clarks CEO steps down amid C-suite shake-up
Giorgio Presca has reportedly stepped down from his role as CEO of Clarks, according to Drapers. Presca, along with the shoe retailer’s chief commercial officer, Massimo Barzaghi and chief people officer, Difna Blamey, are said to have exited the business last week. Victor Herrero, the retailer’s non-executive director, will reportedly…
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22 FebruaryCoronavirus
PM outlines ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown
Prime minister Boris Johnson has set out his four-step “roadmap” to guide the nation out of lockdown “cautiously but irreversibly”, calling the plan a “one-way road to freedom”. Step one will begin from 8 March, when all schools will be allowed to open with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed.…
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22 FebruaryAnalysis
The restructuring options for retailers before it’s too late for rescue
Despite a glimmer of hope that Government may extend more Covid-19 support measures, retailers shouldn’t leave their future to chance if they want to boost their prospects of surviving the pandemic. Up until recent days, it looked like retailers were facing a so-called perfect storm. A moratorium protecting retail tenants…
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22 FebruaryAdvice
Retail needs to adapt to the new necessities
“Who are these people buying heels?!” one of my team members asked in wonder today, when discussing how spending habits have changed so dramatically in the last 12 months. She couldn’t imagine why anyone would be buying anything other than more sweatpants and slippers. I didn’t tell her about the…
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