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.
-
Feb- 2021 -3 FebruaryEconomy
13,000 Scottish retail jobs were lost before Covid-19, SRC reveals
13,000 Scottish retail jobs were lost between 2016-2018, a new paper by the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) reveals. The report entitled ‘Road to Retail Recovery’ also found that £3.48bn in annual turnover was lost from the industry between 2014-18; figures which are likely to “severely worsen” when the full account…
Read More » -
1 FebruaryAnalysis
Adapting and diversifying as a result of Covid-19
It’s no secret that 2020 was a tough year for many businesses. The closure of non-essential stores meant that the majority of retailers have had to find new ways to continue operation. Whilst the situation has and continues to be difficult for many businesses, we’ve also seen many become more…
Read More » -
1 FebruaryCoronavirus
New lockdowns edge consumer confidence to near-record low
The final quarter of 2020 saw consumer confidence fall by 1%, to a near-record low -17%, according to the latest Deloitte Consumer Tracker. It found with the exception of personal finances, all other measures of confidence were below year-on-year comparisons, with ‘health and wellbeing’, and ‘children’s education and welfare’ categories…
Read More » -
1 FebruaryCoronavirus Featured Content
BRC chief calls for rates extension as vacancies rise by 13%
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has urged the government to extend business rates relief beyond April as the number of retail stores lying vacant rose to 13.7% in Q4 2020. The plea follows figures published by the consortium which show that all retail locations saw…
Read More » -
Jan- 2021 -29 JanuaryHigh Street
Card Factory to receive one month covenant breaches waiver
Card Factory has been issued a one month extension to covenant breaches by banks until 28 February 2021. Earlier this month, the firm warned it was going to breach its banking covenants by the end of January, although it had access to £200m of debt facilities. The group stated it…
Read More » -
28 JanuaryAnalysis
Supermarkets, the unsung heroes
Of all the many seismic changes that 2020 has precipitated, one that may have gone under the radar of most people is the impact of the pandemic on perceptions of the UK supermarket sector. Long lambasted for alleged price fixing tactics, squeezing suppliers and environmental concerns, the sector appeared locked…
Read More » -
26 JanuaryCoronavirus
Westfield turns vacant unit into vaccination hub
A vacant retail outlet in Westfield shopping centre Stratford has been turned into Covid-19 vaccination centre. The vaccination centre will be run by East London NHS Trust Foundation and will see health care workers administering the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine – and is one of hundreds of nationwide centres set…
Read More » -
25 JanuaryBusiness Bites
Five retailers who excelled during the Christmas season
Asos Asos has gone from strength to strength in the past few years with this year being no different. Over the peak festive season it saw its sales increase by 23% to £1.32bn from £1.074bn the previous year, which the group claimed was due to support by investors who…
Read More » -
25 JanuaryCoronavirus
Waterstones boss warns of closures unless gov extends rates relief
James Daunt, the boss of book retailer Waterstones, has warned that he could be forced to close stores unless the government extends its business rates relief and other forms of state aid. Talking to Retail Week, he said that while he has no intention to close stores currently – it…
Read More » -
25 JanuaryHigh Street
Retail sector set for 200,000 job losses
The UK’s retail sector has been forecasted to see 200,000 job losses in 2021, as Covid-19 continues to cause deep challenges to the industry, according to a study conducted by the Centre for Retail Research (CRR). The research group has predicted an 18% rise in retail closures this year, resulting…
Read More »
