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 -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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10 SeptemberAdvice
How the retail experience is evolving in a contactless world
The goalposts have moved for digital customer experience and retailers the world over need to excel online now or risk losing out. Covid-19 has triggered a colossal shift in consumer behaviour and shopping habits after millions of non-essential businesses were forced to close for months with little warning. In the…
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10 SeptemberSupermarkets
Morrisons profits dented by £155m Covid-19 costs
Morrisons has revealed its HY profits were dented by £155m of Covid-related costs. During the first half of 2020/21, Morrisons said “all its efforts” were fully focused on deploying its assets in the “best way” to enable its colleagues to help feed the nation during the Covid-19 crisis. For the…
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10 SeptemberCoronavirus
Government launches new ‘bounce back’ plan for retailers
A new series of measures has been announced by the UK Government to support businesses in the consumer and retail industries during the Covid-19 pandemic. The plans, announced by Minister for exports Graham Stuart, will offer immediate support to businesses by ensuring specialists provide advice on online retail and international…
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10 SeptemberOnline & Digital
Online sales soar at Dunelm
Dunelm pre-tax profit fell by 13.3% to £109m in the full-year ended 27 June 2020, while total sales were down by 3.9% in the period, reflecting the impact of Covid-19. Before the crisis hit, however, total sales increased by 6.8% in the eight months to February, supported by an 8.8%…
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9 SeptemberEconomy
Pizza Hut to close 29 sites, 450 jobs cut
Pizza Hut has confirmed it is to close 29 sites as part of a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) that will see around 450 jobs lost. Pizza Hut Restaurants revealed it is currently negotiating a CVA in order to “mitigate the financial impact of Covid-19”. It said PHR is “one of…
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