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 -12 JanuaryOnline & Digital
Very records best ever Christmas sales
Very.co.uk has announced a 25.2% year-on-year increase in retail sales in the seven weeks up to and including 25 December 2020, marking the best recorded sales over a Christmas period to date. The increase in sales was predominantly due to Covid-19 pushing retail online, as government lockdown restrictions continued to…
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12 JanuaryDIY
Kingfisher reports online sales boom
Kingfisher has reported that a rise in online sales during its fourth quarter, in the 10 weeks to 9 January, has boosted like-for-like sales by 16.95%. It comes as the home improvement retail group, which owns brands such as B&Q, revealed e-commerce sales increased by over 150% in its latest…
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11 JanuaryFeatures
What’s next for Primark?
Primark’s opening statement for 2021 had a slightly more sombre tone than you would expect from one of the UK’s reigning fast fashion champions. In a brief statement issued by its parent company Associated British Foods, the store revealed how it now expects to lose and additional £220m in sales…
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11 JanuaryCoronavirus
British Land collects less than half of rent from retailers
Commercial landlord British Land has managed to collect less than half of the rent due from its retail tenants for the latest quarter, as the latest lockdown restrictions keep many businesses closed. In an operational update, British Land revealed that it had received just 46% of expected rent due for…
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8 JanuaryNews
Asos invests in new fulfilment centre
Asos has announced it will launch a new fulfilment centre which has the capacity to employ 2,000 people over the next three years. According to Sky News, the new centre, which is based in Staffordshire, will be backed by a £90m investment from the retailer. The news falls after the…
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8 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Matchesfashion hit by £5.9m loss
Luxury retailer, Matchesfashion has announced a major loss of £5.9m for the financial year ended 31 January 2020. A report filed at Companies House found that while revenue soared to over £430m for the period, compared to £372m the previous year, the cost of sales, administrations, and distribution outweighed the…
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8 JanuaryEconomy
Boots’ parent company reports strong Q1 trading
Walgreen Boots, the parent company of Boots, has reported its first quarter trading has exceeded expectations after it was buoyed by the UK pharmacy and optician business. The US-based firm announced that sales increased by 5.7% to $36.3bn (£26.7bn) over the three month period, while earnings decreased by 11.2%, ahead…
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7 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Joules reports online sales boost over Christmas
Joules has reported the group’s online retail channels received a sales boost during the seven-week period to 3 January 2021, with total online retail sales soaring by 66% year-on-year over the Christmas season. The group noted this was primarily driven by traffic growth and improved conversion rates across its digital…
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6 JanuaryComment
How retailers can build a strong digital presence
Despite the announcement of a COVID vaccine last week, it’s clear that consumers’ shopping habits won’t be returning to ‘normal’ anytime soon. Even before the crisis, the high street had been fighting a losing battle against Amazon and the wider shift towards e-commerce. This has only accelerated as lockdown restrictions…
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5 JanuaryHigh Street
1,500 jobs at risk as Paperchase calls in administrators
Paperchase, the UK-based stationary store chain, has reportedly called in administrators due to a lack of sales caused by Covid-19. A spokesperson confirmed to Retail Sector that a notice has now been filed to appoint administrators from PwC to oversee the administration. It comes as reports show that during November…
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