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 -15 JulyClothing & Shoes
Asos reports 10% sales rise during lockdown
Online fashion retailer Asos has reported a 10% increase in group sales to £1.01bn amid the Covid-19 pandemic and has said it is on “track” to deliver “strong profit growth” across its financial year. In the four months to 30 June, sales growth was driven by its international retail sales,…
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14 JulyComment
Risk, regulation and reputation: The three ‘R’s for retailers
The three ‘R’s are the building blocks for our children’s education. The joy of re-visiting these as a parent-teacher in lockdown has not been unbridled, but a necessary and worthwhile investment that will hopefully reap dividends. Retailers devising survival strategies likewise need a diligent focus on the three ‘R’s of…
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14 JulyOnline & Digital
AO World reports ‘strong demand’ as revenues rise
AO World said it has experienced “strong demand” during the coronavirus pandemic, reporting a 20.3% increase in revenues to £901.6m, compared with £79.3m in 2019. However, revenues from its Europe arm decreased by 4.6% to €165.4m (£149.70m) during the year ended 31 March 2020, compared with €173.3m (£156.85m) in the…
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13 JulyCoronavirus
Businesses must remain Covid-secure, warns HSE
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned businesses that they must ensure they are Covid-secure as lockdown measures ease across the UK. According to the authority, inspectors will be “out and about”, spot-checking employers that they are complying with health and safety law. HSE defines “Covid-secure” as being “adaptable…
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13 JulyDIY
Halfords plans to close 60 stores despite resilient sales
Halfords is reportedly planning on closing 60 stores as it looks to speed up its store closure scheme despite seeing “better than expected” sales during the lockdown period. According to The Telegraph, Halfords has decided to up its plans to close 6 stores in the year to 60 with the…
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9 JulyHigh Street
Boots set to slash 4,000 jobs
Boots is reportedly set to slash almost 4,000 roles as it seeks to restructure its head office and store teams. The company said it is “moving swiftly” to address the impact of Covid-19 on the Boots business by accelerating its transformation plan. The proposed plan included a reorganisation of the…
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9 JulyCoronavirus
Frasers Group to stop rent payments until it can ‘freely trade’
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has reportedly told landlords that it will withhold rent payments until it is “fully able to freely trade as a business”. According to a letter seen by Estates Gazette, the Sports Direct owner said although it is willing to enter negotiations with landlords but said that…
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8 JulyClothing & Shoes
H&M to close 170 stores worldwide
H&M has announced plans to close 170 of its stores worldwide after increasing the pace of the closures due to the impact of the coronavirus. The announcement, which came in a six-month trading update for the second quarter of the year, also revealed that the H&M group’s net sales decreased…
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8 JulyClothing & Shoes
Boohoo launches independent review of supply chain
Boohoo has launched an “immediate, independent” review of its supply chain, following revelations of poor working conditions in a Leicester warehouse. Boohoo first responded to allegations of malpractice earlier this week, after a Sunday Times exposé highlighted the conditions at supplier Jaswal Fashions in an undercover report. The retailer had…
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7 JulyHigh Street
Halfords cycling sales soar during lockdown
Halfords has reported a surge in sales for cycling related products and services during the Covid-19 lockdown in its preliminary results for the year ended 3 April 2020. The retailer’s cycling business was up 57.1% on a life-for-like basis, which Halfrods said was “significantly boosted” by the avoidance of public…
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