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 -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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9 SeptemberHigh Street
Travis Perkins profits slump 80%
Travis Perkins has reported a 80.9% decrease in adjusted operating profits to £42m for the half-year period ended 30 June 2020. This reflected “shortfall” from lower sales volumes, and was partially offset by actions to reduce and control operating costs. The retailer also reported a 20% fall in revenues to…
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9 SeptemberClothing & Shoes
Majority of UK consumers change their shopping habits during lockdown
A study by online market vendor Capterra has revealed how consumers’ shopping habits have changed since the start of Covid-19. The study, which was conducted at the end of the summer, revealed that 62% of shoppers felt that their retail habits have been altered as a result of UK self-isolation…
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8 SeptemberHigh Street
JD Sports revenues slide in half-year results
JD Sports has reported a 6.5% decrease in total revenue to £2.5bn during the half-year period ended 1 August 2020. The decrease in revenue was split between sports fashion sales, which reduced by 4.6% to £2.4bn, and its outdoor range, which saw sales sink by 30.2% to £142.5m. Additionally, total…
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8 SeptemberSport & Leisure
Cycling surge boosts sales at Halfords
Halfords has delivered a “strong” trading performance in the first half of its FY21, with like-for-like sales up by 5% in the 20 weeks ended 21 August 2020. According to the group, this was largely driven by a larger cycling market, boosted by the “positive impact” from the current staycation…
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7 SeptemberClothing & Shoes
Primark trading ‘stronger than expected’ post-lockdown
Associated British Foods (ABF) has announced that Primark’s trading in the fourth quarter has “exceeded expectations” ahead of its full-year results, which are set to be announced on 3 November. Primark stores reopened over the course of May, June and July, and have since “traded strongly”, according to its parent…
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