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.
-
Jan- 2021 -15 JanuaryDIY
Dunelm revenues up 11% despite store closures
Homeware retailer Dunelm has reported an 11.8% increase in revenues for the 13-week period ended 26 December 2020, despite having the majority of its stores closed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Dunelm reported revenues of £360.4m during the period, which the retailer said reflected the fact that despite restrictions consumer demand…
Read More » -
15 JanuaryHigh Street
H&M appoints new communications director
H&M has announced the appointment of Andreas Eriksson as communications director succeeding his predecessor Kristina Stenvinkel. Eriksson, who was the group’s previous head of media relations, will be succeeded by Iñigo Sáenz Maestre, who is currently the senior press officer. Eriksson brings with him extensive experience within communications and leadership…
Read More » -
15 JanuaryOnline & Digital
N Brown sales continue to recover in Q3
N Brown has seen group revenue continue to improve in FY21. Though revenue was down by 8.8% in its third quarter, this marked an improvement from the 13.4% fall in Q2 and 21.9% decline in Q1, when the pandemic first hit. According to the retailer, customer trends in its latest…
Read More » -
15 JanuaryHigh Street
Card Factory sales down 38% in 2020
Card Factory, the greetings cards, dressings, and gifts provider, has announced its sales for the eleven months ended 31 December 2020 were down by 38.1% year-on-year. With Covid-19 leading to mandatory store closures that resulted in prohibited openings for 37% of available trading days, the firm saw its revenue fall…
Read More » -
14 JanuaryCoronavirus
Scotland bans click and collect on non-essential retail
Stores in Scotland will no longer be able to provide click and collect services for non-essential retail, as the government attempts to clamp down on the spread of Covid-19. The decision which was announced by first minister Nicola Sturgeon will also see a ban on drinking alcohol outside and people…
Read More » -
14 JanuaryCoronavirus
£95m Northern Ireland retail voucher scheme put on hold
A £95m high street voucher scheme, first announced by the Northern Ireland economy minister in November, has been referred to the next financial year, according to the BBC. The scheme is intended to support retailers that have been hardest hit by the pandemic, possibly through a pre-paid card system. Similar…
Read More » -
14 JanuarySupermarkets
Tesco reports record breaking Christmas
Tesco has reported the results of its “record Christmas”, however warned that it still expects to take a £810m hit due to Covid-19 related expenses. For the 19 weeks to January the chain witnessed a like for like growth of 6.7%, accelerating to 8.1% at Christmas, with the store crediting…
Read More » -
14 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Boohoo raises guidance as revenue soars
Boohoo has welcomed a period of “strong” trading towards the end of last year, with revenue soaring by 40% to £661m in the four months ended 31 December 2020. In light of this trading performance, it now expects group revenue growth for the financial year to 28 February 2021 to…
Read More » -
14 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Primark predicts £1.1bn sales loss amid store closures
AB Foods, the owner of clothing retailer Primark, has issued a warning of a hit from lost retail sales of more than £1.1bn, if Covid-19 lockdowns continue through to the end of February. Currently, 305 of its 389 shops around the world are closed which is expected to cost £1.1bn…
Read More » -
13 JanuaryDepartment Stores
John Lewis Partnership to enforce face coverings in stores
John Lewis Partnership has announced it will tighten its Covid-19 rules by insisting that all customers wear a face covering (unless medically exempt or under the required age). To help ensure customers wear the face coverings, marshals will be positioned at the entrances of all supermarkets and will have disposable…
Read More »
