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.
-
Jan- 2023 -3 JanuaryNews
Footfall drops almost 30% post-Christmas
Retailers in the UK saw footfall decrease 27.7% last week compared to the week before Christmas, which was just 7% higher than this week last year, according to data from Springboard. This number was nearly 20% lower than the number in 2019, although Springboard did attribute some of this to…
Read More » -
Dec- 2022 -7 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Quiz returns to profitability in H1 as demand rises
Quiz has welcomed a “significant” increase in profitability in its half-year results, as profit before tax hit £1.8m, up from a loss of £1.3m the prior year, after the group witnessed stronger consumer demand for the brand. The group, which also benefited from softer prior year comparatives as a result…
Read More » -
6 DecemberPeople Moves
VF Corp names Benno Dorer as interim CEO
VF Corporation has announced that Benno Dorer, lead independent director of the VF board, has been named interim president and CEO, effective immediately. His appointment follows Steve Rendle’s decision to retire from his position as chairman, president and CEO. The company, which owns brands including Vans and the North Face,…
Read More » -
Nov- 2022 -24 NovemberDepartment Stores
Mothercare appoints new CEO as profit and sales stall
Babywear retailer Mothercare has announced the appointment of Daniel Le Vesconte as group CEO as it revealed a period of tough trading for the half year up to September 2022. Le Vesconte will start his new role in the new year and brings with him a wealth of experience. He…
Read More » -
3 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Clarks returns to profit in FY22 amid repositioning
Clarks has announced it has returned to profit for the year ended 29 January 2022, with pre-tax profits rising to £55.4m compared to a loss of £181.8m in the previous year, following a period of recovery and repositioning. Group operating profit also increased year-on-year from £162.2m to £61.7m, and group…
Read More » -
Oct- 2022 -26 OctoberHigh Street
Virgin Wines posts profit upturn as it warns of oncoming crisis
Virgin Wines has said that its profits before tax rose to £5.1m for the year ended 1 July 2022, up from £1.7m in 2021. While group revenues fell year-on-year from £73.6m to £69.2m, it remains 63% above pre-pandemic levels three years ago. Meanwhile the group’s cash balance was down from…
Read More » -
21 OctoberEconomy
Retail sales fall below pre-pandemic levels
Retail sales volumes fell by 1.4% in September 2022, making them 1.3% below pre-coronavirus (Covid-19) February 2020 levels. According to the latest data from the ONS, while retailers continue to mention the effect of rising prices and the cost of living on sales volumes, they were also affected by the…
Read More » -
18 OctoberCoronavirus
Greggs wins initial ruling in £150m Covid insurance case
Greggs has reportedly won a landmark ruling in the high court that supports its case to claim more than £150m on an insurance policy that was triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to The Times, a High Court judge has backed the majority of Greggs’ claims of business interruptions caused…
Read More » -
11 OctoberSupermarkets
CMA set to greenlight Morrisons’ McColl’s takeover
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is set to greenlight Morissons’ proposal to acquire McColl’s after accepting proposals for the supermarket giant to sell 28 stores to address competition concerns. It comes as the authority launched an investigation into Morrisons’ proposed £190m purchase of McColl’s-owned stores last July. Following Phase…
Read More » -
Sep- 2022 -23 SeptemberHigh Street
The Works revenues rise by 46.5% in FY22
The Works has welcomed “strong” financial results in FY22 and made strategic progress as the group’s total revenue reached £264.6m for the 52 weeks ended 1 May 2022, spelling an increase of 46.5% in revenues against the prior year. It is reported that the group’s profit before tax also hit…
Read More »
