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 -20 AprilCoronavirus
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme portal goes live
The portal for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is now live, with the government saying that businesses with validated claims will receive payments within at least six days. Under the scheme announced last month, employers can claim a grant covering 80% of the wages for a furloughed employee, subject to…
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20 AprilCoronavirus
DFS remains ‘confident’ as it plans equity raise
DFS has confirmed that it is in the advanced stages of negotiating an additional debt facility amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The furniture retailer is now seeking between £60m and £70m of funding with its existing lending banks in order to supplement its existing bank facility of £250m. This additional…
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20 AprilPeople Moves
Patrick Guido steps down as Lululemon CFO
Lululemon has announced that its CFO, Patrick Guido, will be stepping down to assume a position outside of the apparel industry, effective 8 May. Guido, who joined the brand in 2018, has previously held positions at VF Corporation and The Home Depot. Lululemon has also commenced the search process to…
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17 AprilHigh Street
Laura Ashley appoints third administrator amid Covid-19 crisis
Embattled retailer Laura Ashley has appointed a third administrator amid growing pressure from the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the UK. PwC has confirmed that Rachael Wilkinson, business restructuring services director at the firm, has been appointed to support the business during this time. She joins Rob Lewis and Zelf Hussain of…
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17 AprilCoronavirus
Covid-19: EWM introduces pandemic clauses into Bonmarché leases
Edinburgh Woolen Mill (EWM) is reportedly introducing pandemic clauses into any new Bonmarché leases it is due to sign with landlords, after its owner Phillip Day bought the firm out of administration last year. According to Retail Week, the new clauses mean EWM can agree on new Bonmarché store leases…
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16 AprilCoronavirus
Government extends lockdown for ‘at least’ three more weeks
The government has announced an extension to the coronavirus lockdown for “at least” a further three weeks. The decision was announced at today’s (16 April) press briefing which was led by foreign secretary Dominic Raab. It also comes after Raab led an emergency Cobra committee and cabinet meetings about the…
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16 AprilSupermarkets
Waitrose launches initiatives to support ‘most vulnerable’ suppliers
Waitrose has revealed a number of initiatives it has launched to support its most vulnerable suppliers during the Covid-19 pandemic. As well as supporting British producers and farmers, the supermarket said it is helping the “most vulnerable” communities in developing countries that supply food and other products through the Waitrose…
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16 AprilCoronavirus
Retail sales decline at ‘worst rate on record’
Retail sales suffered the “worst decline recorded” in March, with a year-on-year total sales decline of 4.3%. The findings come from the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor, which said this is the lowest recorded rate since the monitor first began in January 1995. Its data showed that sales “contrasted sharply”…
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15 AprilCoronavirus
Oasis and Warehouse collapse into administration
Fashion retailers Oasis and Warehouse have entered administration, putting over 2,000 jobs at risk. Rob Harding and Richard Hawes, restructuring partners at ‘Big Four’ accountancy firm Deloitte, have been appointed as joint administrators to Oasis and Warehouse Limited, Oasis Fashions Limited, Warehouse Fashions Limited, The Idle Man Limited and Bastyan…
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15 AprilCoronavirus
Covid-19 could cause UK economy to shrink by 35%, says OBR
The UK’s economy could shrink by as much as 35% in the second quarter of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has said. The watchdog is also predicting a 13% drop in annual GDP as a result of the outbreak, which it said would…
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