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 -20 JulyHigh Street
M&S to cut 950 jobs
Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced it will cut 950 jobs in a bid to restructure its business in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. The high street retailer announced it plans to “accelerate the pace and scale” in a statement released today (20 July), adding that it aimed to…
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20 JulyClothing & Shoes
UK retailers call for ‘urgent action’ to end labour exploitation
A number of fashion retailers including Asos, Missguided, River Island and M&S have called on the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, to take “urgent action” to address exploitation in the UK’s fashion supply chain. Retailers including George at Asda, Joules, Matalan, Morrisons, Mountain Warehouse, N Brown, Next and The Very Group,…
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20 JulyCoronavirus
‘Hundreds’ of jobs to be axed at M&S
Marks and Spencer is expected to announce a raft of job cuts this week, becoming the latest high street casualty in the wake of Covid-19. According to Sky News, the retailer will unveil its widespread redundancy plan “within days”, with hundreds of jobs expected to be axed. It comes as…
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17 JulyTips
How ESG will help retailers survive the pandemic
With lockdowns slowly lifting again and more consumers coming out of their homes after months in isolation, the conditions have become far more favourable for the UK’s retail businesses. Given that every retail business owner had their eyes peeled for a possible opening for the past month, you might not…
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17 JulyCoronavirus
White Stuff makes 390 staff redundant
Clothing retailer White Stuff has reportedly made 390 staff redundant from its head office and UK retail stores. According to Drapers, the move has been made as it accelerated its transformation programme due to the impact of Covid-19 and follows a consultation period which started in May. The losses reportedly…
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17 JulyDepartment Stores
John Lewis extends Co-op partnership
John Lewis has announced plans to extend its click-and-collect delivery partnership with the Co-op to over 500 stores by the end of the summer. The move will see the total number of John Lewis Partnership click and collect locations increase to nearly 900, double the number of current click and…
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17 JulyCoronavirus
BFC calls on government support of fashion industry
The British Fashion Council (BFC) has called on the government to provide more support for Britain’s fashion industry in the wake of Covid. It comes as the group today released new data from Oxford Economics that “reinforces the stark reality of the impact of the global pandemic on the British…
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16 JulyAdvice
Effective stock management is key to retail revival
Following the optimism of non-essential high street shops reopening in mid-June, pessimism remains about near-term sales. The CBI’s monthly Distributive Trades Survey shows the vast majority of retailers expect sales to be lower than July 2019, with 62% believing lack of customer demand is the biggest operational challenge they are…
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16 JulyComment
Intu the unknown: The future of the shopping centre
Saddled with unsustainable levels of debt and lacking rental income over the past two quarters due to Covid-19 restrictions, Intu finally announced its move into administration earlier this month. The shopping centre giant’s collapse left thousands of shops and livelihoods on the line and it represented a pivotal moment for…
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16 JulyCoronavirus
Asos to consider legal action against Leicester supplier
Asos is reportedly considering legal action against a Leicester supplier after it was found to be in breach of its ethical standards during the lockdown period. According to The Guardian, following an “ethical audit” the online fashion retailer has classed one of its suppliers as “red critical” meaning that action…
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