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 -17 SeptemberGovernment
Government extends commercial eviction ban until end of year
The government has decided to extend its commercial property eviction ban until the end of 2020. Businesses have been shielded from eviction over the last six months through the lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratoria, which was originally set to end on 1 October. Retail and hospitality trade associations, including…
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16 SeptemberClothing & Shoes
H&M to return to profitability in Q3
H&M has announced it expects to return to profitability after experiencing a “better-than-expected” recovery during the third quarter of the year. For the 13-week period ending 31 August the Swedish clothing retailer said it expects before-tax profit of approximately SEK2b (£176m). The group said the recovery was the result of…
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16 SeptemberCoronavirus
Covid forcing 4 in 10 SMEs to put sale plans on hold
SMEs across the UK have had to “tear up” business succession plans due to Covid-19 with four in 10 placing their sale plans on hold, according to research from Nucleus Commercial Finance. Prior to the pandemic, Nucleus’ research showed that over a third (35%) of SMEs had hopes of selling…
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16 SeptemberComment
What to know: High street tenancies
As the Scottish Government considers extending the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act anti-irritancy provisions, which effectively prevent landlords from terminating commercial leases, speculation is increasing that temporary restrictions in England on landlords taking action against tenants in rent arrears may also be extended. What are those provisions and what do they mean…
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16 SeptemberCoronavirus
Keir Starmer backs Usdaw’s call for government support
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed Keir Starmer’s backing for targeted government support to help save jobs and businesses in the retail sector. It comes as the Labour leader spoke to the annual Trades Union Congress, where he paid tribute to retail workers and “lamented that they remain overworked, underpaid…
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15 SeptemberHigh Street
Creditors approve New Look CVA
New Look has announced that a CVA proposal launched last month has been approved by the majority of its unsecured creditors in a vote that was held today (15 September). Following the vote, the retailer will have a three-year rent holiday across 68 of its sites, as well as rent…
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15 SeptemberSupermarkets
UK supermarket sales begin to stabilise
After a period of “accelerated growth”, UK supermarket sales have begun to stabilise, but Brits now shop for groceries online more frequently, according to the latest data from Nielsen. FMCG sales growth at supermarkets has continued to plateau to +5.3% over the last four weeks ending 5 September. However, the…
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15 SeptemberCoronavirus
Unemployment rate rises to 4.1% in July
The rate of unemployment in the UK increased 0.2% to 4.1% in the two months to July 2020, according to the ONS. The UK economic inactivity rate was also estimated at a joint record low of 20.2%, 0.6 percentage points lower than the previous year and 0.3 percentage points lower…
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11 SeptemberHigh Street
Games Workshop shares jump amid soaring sales
Games Workshop saw shares jump almost 20% in early trading yesterday, after posting strong preliminary trading results for the three months ended 30 August 2020. Its current estimates show sales of c.£90m, compared with £78m for during the same period last year. Operating profit for the before royalty income also…
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11 SeptemberCoronavirus
Businesses hit by local lockdowns to receive grants
Businesses in England that are required to shut due to local lockdowns will now be able to claim up to £1,500 per property every three weeks, the Government has announced. Chief secretary to the Treasury, Steve Barclay, announced the new funding plan yesterday (10 September) as part of ongoing efforts…
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