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.
-
Jul- 2020 -7 JulyClothing & Shoes
JD Sport welcomes ‘record’ results
JD Sport has welcomed “record” annual figures as it reported a 30% increase in revenue for the full-year period ended 1 February 2020. The retailer recorded revenues of £6.1bn, up from £4.7bn the year prior. It also reported “strong” total like-for-like sales growth of 12% in its global sports fashion…
Read More » -
6 JulyClothing & Shoes
NCA confirms probe into Boohoo working conditions
The National Crime Agency has confirmed it is investigating fashion retailer Boohoo following allegations of poor working conditions in a Leicester warehouse. An NCA spokesman told Retail Sector: “Within the last few days NCA officers, along with Leicestershire Police and other partner agencies, attended a number of business premises in…
Read More » -
6 JulyTips
How retailers can adapt in a post-Covid-19 economy
A post-Covid-19 world may seem like a distant reality for now. While there are advances in finding a cure or vaccine for the virus, there’s still no clarity on how close the world is from finally being free from the pandemic. However, a post-Covid-19 world may not be a complete…
Read More » -
6 JulyClothing & Shoes
Boohoo to investigate illegal practices at factory
Boohoo has responded to allegations of slavery and poor working conditions after a Sunday Times exposé highlighted the conditions at supplier Jaswal Fashions in a recent undercover report. Only last week, the fashion retailer defended its business practices against accusations that it was putting workers at factories in Leicester at…
Read More » -
3 JulyEconomy
Consumer confidence increases in June
GfK’s fourth Covid-19 flash report has revealed Consumer Confidence Index increased by three points to -27 over the past two weeks. Joe Staton, GfK‘s client strategy director, said after the recent “near-historic low” of -36 for the Consumer Confidence Barometer last month, there are some early signs of improvement…
Read More » -
3 JulyClothing & Shoes
Boohoo denies it ‘puts workers at risk’
Online clothing retailer Boohoo has defended its business practices against accusations that it was putting workers at factories in Leicester at risk of contracting coronavirus. The allegations made by worker’s rights group Labour Behind the Label come after the East Midlands city was placed under lockdown earlier this week. The…
Read More » -
2 JulyOnline & Digital
17 million UK consumers expected to permanently shop online post-Covid-19
Some 17.2 million British consumers plan to make permanent changes to the way they shop, as perceived risks of contracting Covid-19 at physical stores redirects spending into online channels. This is according to a new report by global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), in partnership with Retail Economics,…
Read More » -
2 JulyClothing & Shoes
Arcadia to cut 500 head office jobs
Arcadia has revealed it is set to cut around 500 head office roles due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The group reportedly informed staff in an email on Wednesday around a fifth of its 2,500 head office staff would be affected by the restructuring. Reports suggest that the…
Read More » -
1 JulyCoronavirus
Harrods to cut 700 jobs
Luxury department store Harrods is set to cut around 700 jobs as it attempts to weather the storm caused by the coronavirus pandemic. According to The Guardian, Harrods has told its staff that one in seven of its employees would be affected by jobs cut. The paper revealed that in…
Read More » -
1 JulyNews
B&M reports ‘strong’ performance as revenue rises over 25%
Budget retailer B&M has reported a “strong” start to the financial year as it saw a 27.7% increase in group revenues to over £1.1bn during the period from 29 March 2020 to 27 June 2020. B&M said the strong start to the new financial year can be attributed to its…
Read More »
