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 -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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20 JanuaryHigh Street
WH Smith trading ‘better than anticipated’
WH Smith has posted its trading update for the 16 weeks to January, with the company reporting a “better than anticipated” sales performance. The group has said it adapted well to the “evolving trading environment” on the high street, with revenue in stores in December at 92% of 2019 levels. …
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19 JanuaryGovernment
Sunak looks to raise corporation tax in March budget
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is reportedly looking to raise corporation tax in the upcoming March budget to pay off the estimated £400bn borrowed by the UK throughout the pandemic. According to The Financial Times, the alleged move has sparked uproar among business owners who claim they are still struggling with the…
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19 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Superdry swings to £18.9m H1 loss
Superdry has reported an £18.9m loss for the first half of the year, as the company also warned about its ability to continue as a going concern due to the impact of Covid-19 and lockdown restrictions. For the 26-week period to 24 October 2020, it revealed total group revenue declined…
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