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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Aug- 2020 -19 AugustComment
Security: The new experience shoppers are seeking in the ‘new normal’?
Retailers have been battling COVID-19 for months. Many traditional brick-and-mortar stores closed. Workforces were scattered — either furloughed or required to work from home. Meantime, online sales have provided a lifeline, as dramatic e-commerce spikes helped firms navigate these trying times. Now, with physical stores starting to reopen, more disruption…
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19 AugustCoronavirus
Usdaw leader launches petition to protect retail staff from violence and abuse
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis has today (19 August) launched a House of Commons petition calling on the Government to legislate to protect shopworkers. The trade union said the petition has been launched in response to “continued growing assaults, threats and abuse against shopworkers and the doubling of such incidents…
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18 AugustPeople Moves
Hamleys CEO to step down
Hamleys chief executive, David Smith, is to step down from the position after only six months with the iconic toy retailer. According to Sky News, the reasons behind his departure remains unclear and it is understood that Smith will leave the group at the end of August. He was previously…
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18 AugustComment
How retailers can tap into the growing power of influencers
Retailers across the globe have been pulling advertising from Facebook (and Instagram) . The social media platform is under heavy criticism for its failure to tackle hate speech. Retailers have taken a stand – along with about 1,000 other brands and agencies – in protest and have withdrawn from advertising.…
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17 AugustHigh Street
Debenhams draws up contingency plans for potential liquidation
Debenhams has reportedly drawn up contingency plans in the event of a potential liquidation, as it continues to weather the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a report by Sky News, it is understood that Debenahmans has drafted in Hilco Capital to support the retailer if the sales process for the 242-year-old…
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14 AugustHigh Street
River Island set to axe 350 jobs
River Island is reportedly set to axe almost 350 store management and sales roles as it continues to weather the coronavirus pandemic. According to an internal memo sent to staff, which was seen by Drapers, CEO Will Kernan said: “We are now in the process of restructuring our retail teams…
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14 AugustClothing & Shoes
New Look to secure £40m of funding
New Look has agreed a deal with its creditors to secure an additional £40m of funding to help ride out the covid-19 pandemic. Under the terms, New Look said it will have funding to provide a sustainable platform for post-Covid trading and enable the group to invest in, and deliver,…
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14 AugustCoronavirus
Covid-19 outbreak strikes M&S supplier
Greencore, the factory that provides Marks and Spencer with its ready-to-eat sandwiches, has confirmed it is “proactively testing” workers after 299 employees tested positive for coronavirus. The group confirmed that those who had tested positive are now self-isolating, and the company is working alongside PHE East Midlands, Northamptonshire County Council…
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13 AugustHigh Street
Topps Tiles retail revenues rise in Q4 results
Topps Tiles has reported a 15.5% year-on-year increase in retail revenues for the Q4 period ended 8 August 2020. Average weekly sales also increased by 13.1% to £4.4m during the period. As a result, the retailer’s board now expects that the group will generate a “modest level” of adjusted profit…
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13 AugustClothing & Shoes
Very Group to return to profit as revenues pass £2bn
The Very Group has forecasted a return to profits for the FY20 as it revealed annual group revenues passed £2bn for the first time. In a trading update for the full-year ending 30 June, the company said it saw a 65% increase in website visits driving “exceptional” retail sales growth…
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