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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Mar- 2020 -27 MarchHigh Street
Mike Ashley apologises for ‘ill-judged’ Covid-19 response
Sports Direct CEO Mike Ashley has penned an open letter apologising for the Fraser Group’s response to the Covid-19 lockdown. It comes after reports that Ashley lobbied the government to keep Sports Direct open and was still asking employees to still come to work at the high street retailer. Newcastle…
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27 MarchClothing & Shoes
River Island shuts distribution centre
River Island has announced the temporary closure of its distribution centre in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The fashion retailer said that the move would help to protect its teams and “make sure they can do the right thing to keep their families and community safe”. The group said…
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26 MarchClothing & Shoes
Quiz expects March results ‘materially’ below board expectations
Fashion retailer Quiz has warned that its March revenues and margins are expected to be “materially low” compared with the board’s expectations amid the coronavirus pandemic. Quiz said that prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, its year-to-date performance was set to be in line with expectations. Quiz said since the start…
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26 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: Banks under fire over emergency loan scheme
Banks have come under fire over government-backed emergency loans which require business owners to sign for a personal guarantee, as the UK battles with the Covid-19 pandemic. The British Business Bank (BBB) opened applications for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) on Monday (23 March), and claimed the loan…
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26 MarchSupermarkets
Co-op introduces ‘stricter measures’ amid Covid-19 crisis
The Co-operative has introduced new measures to enforce social distancing in stores, in a bid to protect customers and colleagues from the spread of coronavirus. The community retailer backs the government’s request for “tighter” in-store protocols and has introduced a range of measures across its 2,600 stores including floor markers…
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26 MarchCoronavirus
Intu receives only third of rent
Intu revealed that it has received only 29% of its second quarter rent that was due from tenants on 25 March. For the same period last year, it had received 77% on the quarter day, and the group is now in discussions with its customers regarding the outstanding rents. In…
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26 MarchComment
Preventing inevitable recession from becoming depression
The global economy is heading into a recession, initially at least a pretty severe one. The measures introduced by governments in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus are having a dramatic effect on huge swathes of economic activity. There is the direct loss of output and employment…
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26 MarchClothing & Shoes
Arcadia ends fixed-term contracts early in view of Covid-19
Philip Green’s Arcadia Group has reportedly informed its employees that it will be ending fixed-term contracts early as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. In a letter seen by Drapers, the fashion retailer said that the retail industry has been “significantly impacted” by high levels of “consumer uncertainty” and as…
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25 MarchSupermarkets
Tesco introduces social distancing measures amid Covid-19 virus outbreak
‘Big 4’ grocer Tesco has written to customers to inform them about the latest measures put in place amid the Covid-19 virus breakout. CEO Dave Lewis revealed there would be floor markings in store as well as the car park to practice social distancing when queuing. The retailer also revealed…
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25 MarchCoronavirus
Ebay and Amazon failing to prevent profiteering, says Which
Ebay and Amazon are failing to crack down on profiteering amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Which. An investigation led by the research group found a “consistent overpricing” of household items, including cleaning products, thermometers, baby formula and tampons. The CMA had previously warned traders to not exploit panic-buying amid…
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