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 AprilBusiness Bites
Lockdown to persist says Johnson, clergy weigh in on behaviour of corona-corporations
The PM is back at his desk and says the lockdown must continue for the foreseeable future, and it would be premature to consider lifting now. After having been struck down with COVID-19 himself – and ending up in intensive care – the premier has finally convalesced and spoke from…
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27 AprilHigh Street
JD Sports to delay full-year results
Sports fashion retailer JD Sports has revealed plans to delay its full-year results to 7 July 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact the UK. In March the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) announced a temporary relief for listed companies that are due to report financial results during the current…
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27 AprilComment
How the supply chain might look after Covid-19
Strategy changes For many, we are likely to see a re-assessment in supply chain strategies. Reliance upon global supply chains will reduce, particularly on single sourcing of components, raw materials and finished products. Subsequently, this could also potentially lead to more positive encouragement of domestic production, manufacturing and farming where…
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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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