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 -2 AprilHigh Street
The Perfume Shop shuts online operations, affecting over 1,800 jobs
Fragrance retailer The Perfume Shop has announced the closure of its online operations amid the coronavirus outbreak, affecting over 1,800 jobs. The company, which had closed its 231 stores late last month following government guidelines that all shops would have to close, except those selling essential items, said it has…
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1 AprilHigh Street
JD Sports to withhold quarterly rent amid Covid-19 lockdown
Sports fashion retailer JD Sports has announced it is withholding its quarterly rent in bid to mitigate the effects of the UK lockdown. According to The Guardian, JD Sports has not paid the rent due for its 390 stores, and is reportedly in discussions with the next bill due in…
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1 AprilClothing & Shoes
Laura Ashley administrators axe 268 staff, 1669 furloughed
The joint administrators appointed to Laura Ashley revealed they have made 268 members of staff redundant and have furloughed a further 1669. Last week, Rob Lewis and Zelf Hussain of PwC were appointed as joint administrators of Laura Ashley Holdings plc and since then they have continued to trade the…
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Mar- 2020 -31 MarchSupermarkets
WHSmith launches partnership with Sainsbury’s amid Covid-19 virus outbreak
WHSmith and Sainsbury’s has announced its partnership to help NHS staff amid the coronavirus pandemic. WHSmith will be stocking an extended range of Sainsbury’s grocery products to “support the incredible work of the NHS through this challenging time.” The partnership will be available in over 80 hospital stores to include…
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31 MarchSupermarkets
UK supermarket sales surge amid Covid-19 outbreak
British consumers made over 79 million extra grocery shopping trips in the last four weeks, with total till sales at supermarkets surging to 20.5%, according to new data from Nielsen. The uptick in sales was particularly pronounced in the week ending 21 March, which saw a “massive” 43% weekly growth…
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31 MarchHigh Street
Poundland to temporarily close 32 UK stores amid Covid-19 outbreak
Discount retailer Poundland has announced the temporary closure of 32 of its stores amid the Covid-19 virus outbreak, resulting in staff receiving 80% of their average earnings due to the government’s Jobs Retention Scheme. Shop workers’ trade union Usdaw said the retailer is asking employees to voluntarily agree to be…
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31 MarchCoronavirus
Consumer confidence slips in March
Consumer confidence in the UK decreased by two points to -9, according to the latest figures from the GfK. Within the group’s consumer confidence index, one measure increased, three measures decreased, and one measure remained the same in the month of March. The personal finance situation index for the last…
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30 MarchComment
What are your legal rights if your job has been affected by COVID-19?
Ever since the coronavirus outbreak gathered speed, life in the UK has largely been put on hold. From staff being unable to work due to self-isolation, to workers needing to stay at home to care for their children after schools were ordered to close, the impact on many businesses and…
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30 MarchAdvice
Covid 19: The future health of the high street
The health of the high street is up for debate now more than ever. If retailers were struggling before coronavirus set its sights on our shores, following last week’s forced government closure of non-essential brick & mortar stores throughout the UK, it’s likely that many will have pulled down their…
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30 MarchOnline & Digital
Beaverbrooks closes website and warehouse operations
Beaverbrooks has closed its website and warehouse operations until further notice. Anna Blackburn, managing director at Beaverbrooks, said the company made the “difficult decision” to close its website and warehouse operations to “protect” its colleagues, their families and the wider community. She added: “As a family owned business, the safety…
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