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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Oct- 2020 -20 OctoberCoronavirus
Manchester moved into Tier three
Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced that Manchester will be placed into Tier 3 Covid-19 restrictions, after talks between mayor Andy Burnham and the UK government collapsed. As a result of being placed under Tier 3, pubs and restaurants must close unless they are supplying substantial meals and outside household…
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19 OctoberCoronavirus
Wales announces ‘firebreak’ lockdown
The Welsh government has announced a two-week “firebreak” national lockdown, which will force business closures across the country from 23 October at 6pm until Monday 9 November. According to BBC News, first minister Mark Drakeford said the “time-limited firebreak” will be “a short, sharp, shock to turn back the clock,…
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19 OctoberHigh Street
11,000 shops closures since lockdown, double rate of last year
Shop closures in the UK have hit record levels with over twice as many net closures in the first half of 2020 compared to last year, according to research carried out by the Local Data Company and PwC. Some 11,120 chain operator outlets have closed this year so far, with…
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16 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Superdry CFO steps down
Superdry has announced CFO Nick Gresham will step down from the company with immediate effect. The fashion retailer said a search for a permanent replacement is due to start whilst an interim will be allocated in his place. The brand recently announced an overall 210% decline in profit before tax…
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16 OctoberHigh Street
Sales at Boots’ retail sites drop 30%
Sales at Boots’ retail sites reportedly fell by almost 30% in the quarter up to August as consumers chose to carry out their shopping online. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Boots’ parent company, reported that despite an improvement from the 48% drop seen in the previous quarter, the UK retailer continued to…
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16 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Edinburgh Woollen Mill to shut 50 stores, 600 jobs at risk
Phillip Day’s Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group (EWM) is reportedly set to shutter 50 of its stores, placing around 600 jobs at risk, as it begins its restructuring process. According to The Telegraph, the majority of the closures will take place in its Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Peacocks chains and will…
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15 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Uniqlo ‘will recover’ says owner Fast Retailing
Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing has announced that its profit for the fiscal year declined 49% to 90.4m yen (£663,000) down from 178m yen (£1.3m). The decline in profit was attributed to the temporary closure of all Uniqlo stores during the global pandemic. Revenue decreased to 2.01bn yen (£14.7m) for the…
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15 OctoberCoronavirus
London to move to Tier 2
London and Essex will face tougher Tier 2 Covid-19 restrictions from Saturday (17 October), including a ban on the mixing of households indoors, local MPs have been told. According to the BBC, health secretary Matt Hancock is set to update MPs on the latest measures in the Commons later today.…
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15 OctoberDepartment Stores
Dunelm reports ‘very strong’ first quarter trading
Dunelm has reported “very strong’’ first quarter trading for the 13-week period ended 26 September with results coming in ahead of expectations. The homewares retailer saw its total sales increase by 36.7% to £359.1m, an increase of £96.5m year over the year. Online sales accounted for 29.7% of the quarter’s…
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14 OctoberDepartment Stores
Matalan profits drops by 44% at end Q2
Profit at retail chain Matalan dropped 44% to £25.8m during the 13 week period ending 29 August as the retailer reported lower revenues due to heavy discounting in a bid to clear stock. Revenue declined 11.6% to £258m, down from £292m the previous year. Net cash however, at the end…
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