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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Jan- 2021 -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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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25 JanuaryHealth & Beauty
Coty appoints new chief procurement officer
Coty has announced the appointment of Stéphane Delbos as its new chief procurement officer. Delbos, who joined the beauty company in 2010 as its global sourcing director, has been promoted from the position of SVP for transformation, indirect and procurement operations. He will join Coty’s senior leadership team, effective 1…
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22 JanuaryAdvice
The rise of friendly fraud: What’s so friendly about it, anway?
Can there be such a thing as ‘friendly’ fraud? What exactly is it, why is it happening and what can be done to safeguard against it? I’m sure you’re aware that over the course of the past 10 months there have been some significant changes in the way we act.…
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22 JanuaryDepartment Stores
Selfridges endures ‘most difficult year’ thanks to 2019 performance
Selfridges has endured the “most difficult year” in its 113-year history, but was able to weather the storm. The chain of luxury department stores was reportedly kept afloat through growing sales in 2019 and investing in e-commerce. Anne Pitcher, managing director at the group, confirmed to the Times that the…
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22 JanuaryDepartment Stores
John Lewis repays £300m to the Treasury early
John Lewis has announced it has repaid £300m early to the Treasury and the Bank of England Covid Corporate Financing Facility, which was due for repayment on 15 March 2021. The retailer was hit heavily by the impact of Covid-19 and store closures for several months, however the Partnership believes…
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22 JanuaryHigh Street
The Works reports revenue decline of 7.8%
The Works has reported a revenue decline of 7.8% to £88.9m in the 26 weeks to 25 October. The stationery and book retailer posted a pre-tax loss of £4.3m over the period, which was down from a loss of £8.5m in the same period the previous year. Trading was impacted…
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