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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Jun- 2020 -19 JuneClothing & Shoes
92% of shopworkers oppose longer Sunday working hours, says Usdaw
Some 92% of retail staff in England have opposed large shops opening for more than six hours on a Sunday, as the government considers deregulating Sunday trading. According to a survey by shopworkers trade union Usdaw, 66% of the 11,000 retail staff said they feel they are pressured to work…
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18 JuneComment
Temperature checking employees – don’t get your fingers burnt in an employment tribunal
As lockdown eases, retailers are looking closely at sensible practical measures that they can implement to help minimise the risk of Covid-19 spreading within workplaces. Many lessons have been learnt from the experiences of essential retailers who have either stayed open throughout the pandemic, or who have now reopened their…
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18 JuneClothing & Shoes
Allsaints launches CVA proposal
Clothing retailer Allsaints has revealed the launch of a CVA proposal that aims to restructure both its UK and US store portfolio and move to a turnover-based rent structure due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Allsaints said the move comes despite year-on-year revenue growth for five successive years.…
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18 JuneCoronavirus
Long Tall Sally to cease trading after 45 years
Womens fashion retailer Long Tall Sally is to cease trading after nearly 45 years. In a statement released on its site, the fashion retailer said the changing economics of retail, along with “fierce competition” have hit the company hard, along with the “profound impact” of Covid-19 pandemic further weakening its…
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17 JuneCoronavirus
Forever 21 re-enters UK market with new online store
Forever 21 has re-entered the UK market following its administration last year, with the launch of a new online store. The US-based retailer has launched a new UK online store to service its British consumers with the full international assortment, an “improved” site and localised e-commerce experience. The brand is…
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17 JuneClothing & Shoes
Debenhams opens 38 more stores following ‘successful’ Monday reopening
Department store chain Debenhams has announced it will reopen a further 38 stores in England, following the “successful reopening” of 50 of its stores earlier this week. Debenhams revealed that four stores have also reopened in Northern Ireland, whilst the business awaits confirmation from Wales and Scotland as to when…
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16 JuneOnline & Digital
Covid-19 to add £5.3bn to UK e-commerce in 2020
The surge in online shopping caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to add £5.3bn to UK e-commerce sales this year, to reach a total of £78.9bn. This is according to analysts at Edge Retail Insight, the global trend forecasting arm of retail insights firm Edge by Ascential, which have…
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16 JuneClothing & Shoes
Joules predicts £3m loss after pandemic hit
Fashion retailer Joules has predicted an underlying loss for its 2020 financial year of between £2m and £3m attributed to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In a pre-closing update ended 31 May 2020, Joules said the impact of the Covid-19 virus between March and May resulted in a “material…
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15 JuneHigh Street
Travis Perkins to cut 2,500 jobs amid Covid-19 pandemic
Wickes owner Travis Perkins has revealed plans to cut almost 2,500 jobs amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. It comes amid a consultation process regarding the closure of around 165 branches across its overall estate, representing approximately 8% of the group’s network. The company said branch closures will be concentrated in…
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15 JuneCoronavirus
Usdaw urges public to ‘respect shopworkers’ as shops are allowed to reopen
Shopworkers union Usdaw has urged customers to respect staff and employers to ensure safety in stores, as shops are allowed to reopen from today (15 June). The news comes as Usdaw released statistics revealing one in six shop workers have suffered abuse on every shift, during the coronavirus pandemic. The…
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