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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Apr- 2020 -27 AprilCoronavirus
Co-op expects £200m increase in costs amid Covid-19 crisis
The Co-op has warned that the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to increase its costs by over £200m. The grocery retailer also revealed it expects the increase which will be partly offset by increased food sales and the expected business rates relief announced by the chancellor. CEO Steve Murrells said no…
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24 AprilHigh Street
UK consumer confidence remains steady despite nearing record low
GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index has remained at -34 for April, only five points away from the record -39 low seen in July 2008. The measure for the general economic situation of the country during the last 12 months dropped by four points to -44 during the period, which is…
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24 AprilCoronavirus Featured Content
Oasis and Warehouse fall: Will the coronavirus pandemic force my business into insolvency?
With the involuntary closure of many businesses forced by the UK-wide lockdown, previously successful companies are beginning to feel the strain and becoming more concerned about their future viability. Many retailers simply do not have the income or cash reserves to pay their creditors at this time. This is not…
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24 AprilElectrical
Gear 4 Music reports 9% increase in FY sales despite Covid-19 impact
Musical instruments retailer, Gear 4 Music has reported a 9% increase in sales to £120.3m amid the Covid-19 pandemic. In its full year figures ended 31 March 2020, the retailer reported a 5% increase in UK sales to £61.8m compared with £58.9m in 2019. Sales in Europe and the rest…
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24 AprilCoronavirus
Government introduces new measures to protect high street
The business secretary has announced a new set of measures that will be introduced to protect high street businesses “under strain” from the ongoing pandemic. High street shops, and other companies facing financial difficulties, will now be protected from “aggressive” rent collection and asked to pay what they can as…
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23 AprilHigh Street
Animal set to shutter entire UK estate by 2021
Fashion brand Animal is reportedly set to shutter its entire UK estate by 2021, placing almost 500 jobs at risk. According to a report by the BBC, the brand’s owner H Young Holdings said the closure could come as early as January of next year, and added that the move…
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23 AprilCoronavirus Featured Content
The role of the physical store post-lockdown
The role of the physical store post-lockdown Retailers have been hit by an escalating “perfect storm” of issues recently – digital disruption, business rates increases, a weak Christmas peak, and now the Covid-19 virus. Businesses with greater debts, low cash reserves, and reduced margins were sadly always going to struggle,…
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23 AprilCoronavirus
One in six shopworkers abused daily during pandemic, says Usdaw
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has released statistics revealing one in six shop workers have suffered abuse on every shift, during the coronavirus pandemic. The statistics revealed 62% of the 4,928 shopworkers surveyed have experienced verbal abuse, with almost a third being threatened by a customer. Usdaw also revealed 4% of…
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23 AprilCoronavirus
DFS raises £64m from shareholders and directors
DFS revealed it has successfully raised £64m through a share placing in a move that will “significantly increase its financial resilience” amid the ongoing pandemic. In addition, the furniture retailer also received credit approval for a new 12-month bank facility of £70m from its existing lending banks. This new bank…
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22 AprilHigh Street
Cath Kidston shutters entire UK estate, over 900 staff made redundant
The administrators of Cath Kidston have confirmed that all 60 Cath Kidston stores in the UK have now closed, resulting in 908 staff being made redundant. Richard Fleming and Mark Firmin from restructuring practice Alvarez and Marsal were appointed as joint administrators to Cath Kidston yesterday. Immediately following the administrators’…
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