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 -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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21 JanuaryAnalysis
Retailers could be heading for a New Year insurance disaster
Among the huge number of changes brought about by COVID-19, one of the biggest shifts in 2021 will be the emphasis placed on mitigating physical risk for businesses. Whether it’s ensuring strict new hygiene regimes or policing slip and trip hazards within stores, organisations across the retail space in particular…
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21 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Burberry revenue drops 4% in Q3
Burberry has announced that retail revenue for 13 weeks ended 26 December dropped 4% to £688m from £719m for the same period last year, attributed to the continued impact of Covid-19. Covid-19 related store closures averaged 7% in Q3 impacting trading on a whole for the retail group. Comparable store…
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21 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Apricot switches to turnover rent after CVA
Apricot, the women’s fashion retailer, has changed the lease agreements for the majority of its UK portfolio to turnover-based rents, according to Drapers. The decision, which will impact 13 of the brand’s 14 UK stores, was reportedly given the green light on 15 January. The move came as a result…
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21 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Pentland Brands appoints positive business director
Pentland Brands, the retail group which owns brands such as Lacoste, Boxfresh and Speedo, has appointed Sara Brennan as its first ever positive business director. Brennan will be responsible for accelerating the fashion retail group’s business strategy with an emphasis on its social and environmental impact. Since joining Pentland in…
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20 JanuaryAdvice
Building an online business by selling into overseas territories
Worldwide, eCommerce sales are growing year on year, and consumers switching to online shopping during Covid-19 has accelerated this growth. If you want to expand your reach, boost your sales and stay ahead of the competition, now’s the time to think about expanding into international markets. After all, the UK…
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20 JanuaryAnalysis
Retailers and the pressing question of their real estate portfolios
It is not an understatement to say that Covid-19 has vastly altered markets and the way businesses work within them, especially those in the retail sector. Arguably one of the greatest changes induced by Covid-19 is the rapid take-up of e-commerce in place of physical retail. “Online sales have accelerated…
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20 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Burberry hails strategic progress despite sales decline
Burberry has welcomed a period of “strong” strategic progress in its third quarter, despite sales sliding by 9% in the 13 weeks ended 26 December. The fashion house said that lower sales were attributed to planned reductions in markdown and reduced tourist traffic in outlets. In addition, Covid-19 related store…
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