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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Sep- 2020 -29 SeptemberDIY
B&M raises guidance following ‘strong’ H1
B&M has welcomed “strong” revenue growth in its first-half of trading, reporting group revenue growth of 25.3% in the period ended 26 September 2020. In its latest first-half trading update, the group said B&M UK stores generated revenue growth of 29.5%, including like-for-like growth of 23%. Trading momentum at B&M…
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25 SeptemberSupermarkets
Morrisons reveals new delivery measures as restrictions return
Morrisons has revealed a set of new home delivery measures as lockdown restrictions return following the government’s announcement earlier this week. As of today (25 September), customers can sign up for weekly, fortnightly or monthly food boxes, without needing a delivery slot. Those who opt for the supermarkets’ “subscription service”…
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24 SeptemberCoronavirus
Pets at Home welcomes ‘sustained’ momentum
Pets at Home has welcomed “sustained momentum” across both its retail and veterinary operations in its latest trading update. The group had previously reported that sales momentum was returning across all areas of the business in its first quarter results published 31 July. According to the group, this reflected a…
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22 SeptemberCoronavirus
Latest Covid-19 restrictions now legal requirements, PM says
Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced a series of new measures to curb the increase in coronavirus cases, including making Covid-secure rules for businesses a legal requirement. Retail and indoor hospitality staff will also be legally required to wear masks while working. The penalty for not wearing a mask or…
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22 SeptemberDIY
Kingfisher sales boosted by DIY boom
Kingfisher has welcomed a “resilient” performance in the first-half of the year, with sales down by 1.1% to £5.9bn. The group said this reflected the adverse impact of Covid-19 in Q1, which was later partially offset by “strong recovery” in the second quarter. Pre-tax profit was up 23.1% to £415m,…
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21 SeptemberSponsored Articles
Is COVID-19 making retailers adopt packaging automation faster?
If you’re an online retailer you are likely to have witnessed a peak in sales during the lockdown as more consumers switch to e-commerce. According to the latest Online Retail Index from IMRG and Capgemini, the overall retail sales in June surged an impressive 33.9% year-on-year. Sounds great, but the…
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21 SeptemberHigh Street
Aldo UK sold to BIG
Aldo UK confirmed it has been sold to the Bushnell Investment Group (BIG). Administrators from accountancy firm RSM were appointed to the footwear retailer back in May. During this time, Aldo has managed to trade during the economic downturn resulting from Covid-19 and has opened three new sites. According to…
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21 SeptemberClothing & Shoes
Superdry swings to £42m loss in full-year results
Superdry announced it has swung to a pre-tax loss of £41.8m in the full-year ended 25 April, 2020, with underlying profit before tax down by 210% against the prior year. In addition, total revenue fell by 19.2% to £704.4m in the period, reflecting a “planned move away” from persistent discounting,…
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18 SeptemberShopping Centres
Westfield owner announces £8.1bn ‘reset’ plan
Westfield owner Unibail-Rodamco Westfield (URW) has announced an €9bn (£8.1bn) ‘reset’ plan which will see it attempt to raise £3.2bn in capital and make a number of European disposals. Along with capital raising URW said it will be limiting cash dividends through scrip and/or a lower payout ratio, resulting in…
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18 SeptemberCoronavirus
Mayor of London urges government to extend business rates holiday
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and London Councils have joined together to urge the Government to extend the business rates holiday and help protect thousands of jobs in London and across the country. Businesses in the retail, hospitality, leisure and childcare sectors are currently benefiting from 100% relief from…
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