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 FebruaryOnline & Digital
More than half of retailers are ‘resistant’ to digital progress
More than half of retail industry C-suite executives, directors and senior managers (51%) are “resistant” to digital progress, according to a new survey by Sigma Dynamics. The firm’s ‘Connected Enterprise’ report, commissioned in partnership with applied futurist Tom Cheesewright, revealed that retailers are skeptical about the benefits of implementing new…
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22 FebruarySupermarkets
Poundland owner to open 400 new stores despite dent to profits
Poundland owner the Pepco Group has announced plans to open 400 stores this year despite posting a drop in profits from €331 (£285m) to €229m (£198.2m) due to the impact of Covid-19. The group said the results for the 52-week period ending 30 September 2020 is primarily related to temporary…
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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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