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 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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25 MarchDepartment Stores
Fenwick closes online operations amid Covid-19 virus outbreak
Department store Fenwick has announced the temporary closure of its online operations amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Fenwick closed all its retail stores across the UK last week and has now ceased its e-commerce operations after the prime minister urged all stores selling “non-essential” products to close to help prevent…
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25 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: Government suspends gender pay gap reporting
The Government Equalities Office (GEO) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has taken the decision to suspend enforcement of the gender pay gap deadlines for this reporting year (2019/20) due to the coronavirus outbreak. The GEO and EHRC said the decision means there will be no expectation on…
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25 MarchSupermarkets
UK shoppers spent an additional £467m on groceries in March
Grocery sales at UK supermarkets during the week ending 14 March increased by over 22% compared with the same period in 2019, according to new data from Nielsen. This is equal to an additional £467m more in purchases than this time last year, and the “significant” rise in grocery sales…
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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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