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 -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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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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