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.
-
Jun- 2020 -11 JuneAdvice
How smart retailers are pivoting to meet the demands of consumers today
‘Hoarding’ may be the term most associated with Covid-19 consumerism, but beyond toilet paper and soap, consumer buying behavior has shifted significantly in recent months – and brands are responding. Aside from increasing inventory for what are deemed “essential” items today to meet skyrocketing demand, brands are leaning into digital…
Read More » -
11 JuneEconomy
Majority of SMEs believe UK is headed for deep recession post-pandemic
Almost seven in 10 (69%) small business owners believe the UK is heading for a deep recession following the coronavirus pandemic and resulting lockdown, according to new research from FreeAgent. In addition, almost three quarters (73%) believe many small businesses will struggle to make enough money to survive and two…
Read More » -
11 JunePeople Moves
CBI names Tony Danker as its next director-general
The CBI has announced that Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, who is stepping down as director-general in November, will be succeeded by Tony Danker, the current chief executive of Be The Business. Fairbairn had expected to complete her five-year term in September this year but agreed with the CBI board to extend…
Read More » -
11 JuneComment
Retail experience will never be the same
While COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the UK’s retail sector, it should not come as a surprise to see the high street in peril. Even prior to the outbreak, retailers had endured a torrid twelve months – a poor Christmas period had led into a traditionally weaker opening…
Read More » -
11 JuneCoronavirus
Fenwick to reopen all nine UK stores on 15 June
Department store Fenwick revealed that all nine of its UK stores will reopen from Monday (15 June) as lockdown measures begin to ease. Fenwick said in order to prepare for its reopening, each store has undergone “intensive” cleaning both front and back of house, with “extensive social distancing measures implemented”.…
Read More » -
11 JuneCoronavirus
B&M hails year of ‘solid growth’ despite pandemic
B&M has revealed that group revenue increased by 16.5% to £3,813.4m in the full-year ended 28 March, despite the effects of the ongoing pandemic. In the same period, its UK business delivered “strong trading”, with revenue up by 12.6% in the period. This included a like-for-like growth of 3.3% for…
Read More » -
10 JuneClothing & Shoes
Quiz places loss-making stores into administration
Quiz has revealed it is placing the division that runs some of its loss-making stores into administration. Quiz said that in order to “protect the future” of the company it has decided to appoint joint administrators from KPMG to the group’s 82 standalone stores in the United Kingdom and the…
Read More » -
10 JuneHigh Street
Signet to close 80 UK stores permanently
Signet Jewelers has announced that it will not reopen 80 of its UK stores, in an effort to emerge “stronger and more efficient” following the Covid-19 crisis. As part of its decision to accelerate its ‘Path to Brilliance’ programme Signet, which has 3,200 stores worldwide, has revealed initially 150 of…
Read More » -
10 JuneEconomy
UK GDP expected to decline 7.2% in 2020 amid ongoing pandemic
The continuing impact of the Covid-19 virus is expected to see the UK economy contract by 7.2% in 2020, with the economy unlikely to be able to fully restart until a vaccine or effective treatments for the virus are available. This is according to KPMG UK’s latest quarterly Economic Outlook,…
Read More » -
10 JuneCoronavirus
70% of shoppers ‘not comfortable’ returning to shops
Consumers remain “deeply cautious” about returning to shops, the latest EY Future Consumer Index has revealed ahead of retailers opening next week (15 June). According to the survey of 1,017 consumers, 80% said they would be “uncomfortable” trying on clothes in a store, while only 25% are “currently comfortable” visiting…
Read More »
