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 -25 MarchAdvice
Keeping shop workers safe through Covid-19
This week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised workers across the UK to work from home if possible. But for thousands of workers, this simply isn’t an option – there are a large number of jobs that can’t be done sitting at the dining room table. The retail sector is a…
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25 MarchCoronavirus
Halfords forecast 25% sales slump
Halfords has warned that sales will “drop sharply” in light of the coronavirus outbreak, with a forecasted sales decline of 25%. After modelling a range of disruption scenarios that assume “significant sales declines” between April and June, it predicts its next full-year results will see a loss of £300m in…
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25 MarchSupermarkets
Asda announces new measures amid Covid-19 outbreak
Supermarket Asda has outlined a wide ranging package of measures to help support its colleagues and other workers whose jobs have been impacted by coronavirus. Acknowledging the “incredible efforts’”of Asda’s hourly paid retail and distribution colleagues, CEO Roger Burnley confirmed to colleagues that they will receive full pay if they…
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24 MarchHigh Street
McColls announces stores remain open amid Covid-19 virus outbreak
McColls Retail Group has today announced that it is to keep its stores open amid the coronavirus pandemic. The convenience retailer said it has put into place a range of policies “designed to protect our colleagues and customers, keep our stores open and trading safely, and to enable our head…
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24 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: UK retail spending to fall by £12.6bn
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic will wipe £12.6bn from retail sales this year, according to the latest forecast by GlobalData. The data and analytics company said that the figure was the equivalent of Aldi’s total UK sales last year. The total retail market for 2020 is now expected to…
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24 MarchEconomy
Covid-19 brings UK economy to temporary standstill, says KPMG
The impact of the Covid-19 virus is expected to see the UK economy contract by 2.6% in 2020, according to KPMG UK’s latest quarterly Economic Outlook. A protracted outbreak could also result in a more severe impact than the downturn experienced in 2008-09. However, it said the economy is expected…
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24 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: Debenhams, Ted Baker and The Works latest to close stores
Debenhams, Ted Baker and The Works are some of the latest retailers to close stores amid the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the UK. Debenhams said it took the “tough decision” to close stores yesterday evening as a result of the current circumstances, but hopes to reopen as soon as it is…
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24 MarchShopping Centres
Westfield Stratford announces temporary closure amid coronavirus outbreak
Shopping centre Westfield Stratford City has announced it is “substantially closed” amid the outbreak of the Covid-19 outbreak. The shopping centre announced its closure on social media with a statement that it was closed with exceptions from grocery stores and pharmacies to “service our communities’ needs.” The statement read: “We…
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23 MarchHigh Street
H.Samuel announces temporary store closures amid Covid-19 virus outbreak
High street jewellery store H. Samuel has announced the temporary closure of all its stores amid the recent outbreak of the Covid-19 virus. The retailer announced all store closures will take effect from today (Monday 23 March) but its website will be “open as usual.” In a statement, the retailer…
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23 MarchHigh Street
Laura Ashley slashes 721 roles as 70 stores shutter
Embattled retailer Laura Ashley has shuttered 70 of its stores leaving almost 721 people out of work, administrator PWC has said. The ‘Big Four’ accountancy firm said it will be working with those employees to help them understand “what this means for their roles” and provide all “necessary support” including…
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