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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Jul- 2020 -28 JulyCoronavirus Featured Content
Automation: How it helps retailers cut costs and remain agile
Retail operations are more expensive to run in a post-Covid world due to the extra demands of cleaning throughout the day and managing access to achieve the maximum occupation numbers. And on top of all of all of this, lower footfall and sales than usual. As the old saying goes,…
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27 JulyDepartment Stores
Debenhams seeks potential buyer
Debenhams has confirmed that administrators are considering its sale to a third party in a bid to lead the business out of its current administration. According to The Guardian, the department store group has now appointed investment bank Lazard to oversee the sale process, and “hopes to secure a buyer…
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24 JulyTips
How Covid-19 has changed consumer behaviour
We are five months into one of the most catastrophic events of recent history, and the world’s economies are still reeling from its effects. Almost overnight, people’s lifestyles and behaviours have changed dramatically. Small businesses and major corporations alike are struggling to cope with a radically different retail landscape that…
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24 JulyHigh Street
Dyson to axe 900 jobs
Dyson is set to cut almost 900 jobs as a result of consumers turning to online purchases during the Covid-19 pandemic. The group said the Covid-19 crisis has “accelerated changes” in consumer behaviour, which has required Dyson to change in how it engages with its customers and how it sells…
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24 JulyOnline & Digital
Naked Wines chairman to step down
Naked Wines chairman, John Walden, has announced he will step down from the position. Walden has informed the board of his intention to step down as chairman of the group and leave the board after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 6 August due to “personal reasons”. Walden said: “It…
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23 JulyCoronavirus
Gear4music reports 80% increase in UK sales
Gear4music has reported an 80% increase in UK sales to £21.2m in its first quarter of the current year, compared with £11.8m in 2019. In the three months to 30 June, the company reported a 68% increase in total sales to £37.7m, compared with £22.2m in the same period last…
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22 JulyComment
Ensuring digital accessibility is part of the retail journey
The rapid acceleration of digital transformation has been one of the most remarkable aspects of the global response to the coronavirus pandemic, with people literally Zooming to stay in touch and accessing online products and services in unprecedented numbers. There is little doubt that the coronavirus has dealt a devastating…
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22 JulyLuxury Goods
Tapestry CEO resigns after company launches investigation
Tapestry, the parent company of Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman, has announced its chairman and CEO Jide Zeitlin, has resigned from the company and its board of directors due to “personal reasons”. However, sources told The Wall Street Journal that Zeitlin resigned from the company after the board launched…
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22 JulyDIY
Kingfisher sales boosted by e-commerce
Kingfisher has announced that like-for-like sales soared by 21.6% in the quarter ended 18 July, as it continued to experience “strong demand” across its markets. The B&Q and Screwfix owner said these results reflected “strong” e-commerce growth in the period, as well as a boost from the phased reopening of…
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21 JulyHigh Street
Ted Baker revenues slump 55%
Fashion retailer Ted Baker has seen its group revenues slump by 55% to £60.9m during the 11 week period ended 18 July. Further to this, store revenue also decreased 79% to £15.8m, with sales performance impacted by store closures globally. Additionally, like-for-like store sales were down 52% compared with the…
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