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 -22 FebruaryProperty
BPF names NewRiver CEO as chair of retail board
The British Property Federation (BPF) has appointed Allan Lockhart, CEO at real estate investment trust NewRiver REIT, as chair of its new retail board. The board was created in January to ensure central and regional governments could understand the views of the retail property sector, in turn driving the agenda…
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19 FebruaryGovernment
Sunak to delay review of business rates until autumn
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to reveal that he will delay a final report on the review of business rates until later this year. According to The Financial Times, the delay of the report, which was set to consider the introduction of an online sales tax, comes as the chancellor…
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18 FebruaryOnline & Digital
Moonpig expects FY revenues to double amid Valentine’s boost
Moonpig has announced it expects revenues for the financial year ending 30 April 2021 to approximately double to £173m. The online retailer said it saw a “significant increase” in demand during the first half of the year, which has continued through Q3 with it recording its “strongest ever” trading week…
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17 FebruaryHigh Street
Westminster Council launches Oxford Street revival initiative
An “ambitious” new framework has been launched by Westminster City Council in a bid to kickstart a “reimagined” Oxford Street and revive the wider district, in order to attract more shoppers to the area post-lockdown. The new Oxford Street District (OSD) framework, developed with key strategic partners, will reportedly deliver…
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16 FebruaryHigh Street
Almost half of consumers shift to online shopping due to covid-19
Almost half of consumers (46%) in 2020 made an online purchase that would have previously been made in-store amid the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a new report by Retail Economics and Natwest, online sales in the retail sector saw five years of growth in just 12 months in 2020 as…
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15 FebruaryAdvice
How to put customers at the centre with Google Shopping automation
It is impossible to discuss retail without assessing the impact of Covid-19. The pandemic has sparked profound change across society, with lockdown measures rapidly changing consumer behaviour and forcing retailers to adapt in order to survive. Much of this change stems from the acceleration towards ecommerce. Data from the ONS…
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15 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Bravissimo secures multi-million pound investment
Bravissimo, a lingerie retailer, has secured a multi-million pound funding package from NatWest to upscale its online presence. Currently an operator of 23 stores across the UK, Bravissimo has used the capital to invest in its warehouse operations and customer service teams to match the rise in ecommerce demand. Leanne…
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15 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Burberry to repay £6m in business rates relief
Burberry has voluntarily agreed to repay around £6m in business support to the Treasury, following the business rates holiday designed to help businesses navigate through the impact of the pandemic. According to the Sunday Times, the retailer has also repaid a £300m loan from the Bank of England, in a…
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15 FebruarySupermarkets
Asda to donate £2m to help fund apprenticeships
Asda has announced that in celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, it will donate £2m to small businesses to help fund around 400 apprenticeships in local communities across the country. The grocer has “opted” to transfer a portion of its annual funds to pay for apprentices to train in small businesses,…
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12 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Shoe Zone expects to report £14.6m FY loss
Shoe Zone has announced that ahead of its FY 2020 results, it expects to report a statutory loss before tax of approximately £14.6m an increase from £11.3m in 2019. The group also expects to report revenues of approximately £122.6m, dropping from £162m the previous year. The increase in the anticipated…
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