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 -20 MarchHigh Street
Ikea to temporarily shutter all UK stores amid Covid-19 pandemic
Ikea UK and Ireland has said it will temporarily close its stores to customers at 6pm on Friday 20 March, as a “precautionary measure” against the ongoing risk of Covid-19. In line with recommendations from local authorities, the retailer said it had already put additional precautionary measures in place, including…
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20 MarchClothing & Shoes
TK Maxx closes UK stores amid Covid-19 virus outbreak
Discount store TK Maxx has become the latest retailer to take the decision to temporarily close its stores amid the recent outbreak of coronavirus. TK Maxx has announced all stores in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia have will close for two weeks. The company has also announced it…
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19 MarchEconomy
New bank of England boss promises fresh measures to fight Covid-19
The new Bank of England boss, Andrew Bailey, has promised a fresh set of measures to help fight the economic “emergency” faced due to the coronavirus outbreak. Bailey, who has only been in the position for three days after taking over from former Bank Of England chief Mark Carney, told…
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19 MarchClothing & Shoes
Zara closes almost 4,000 stores globally amid coronavirus outbreak
The parent company of Zara has closed almost 4,000 of its stores across the globe amid the recent outbreak of the coronavirus. Inditex warned the pandemic has had a “significant impact” in certain markets resulting in temporary closures of 3,785 of its stores, as the group was forced to close…
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19 MarchSupermarkets
Ocado sales rise as website goes dark
Ocado Retail has announced that revenue grew by 10.3% to £441.2m in the first quarter of the year. Average orders per week rose by 10.2% in the 13 weeks ended 1 March 2020, while average order size rose by 0.3%. The supermarket group attributed the increased demand for orders and…
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18 MarchClothing & Shoes
Superdry to miss 2020 targets amid coronavirus outbreak
Embattled clothing retailer Superdry has said it expects its online sales to decline and to miss its 2020 targets amid “unpredictable challenges” caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Superdry reported a 25% decrease in footfall week-on-week despite stores in the UK and the US “remaining largely open”. Prior to the outbreak…
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18 MarchNews
Morrisons ‘takes action’ amid coronavirus pandemic
Morrisons has announced its steps to take “immediate action” as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds. These include its promise for a pay guarantee for all “sick and affected” colleagues, and more flexibility around shifts and annual leave. It also announced plans to expand its online delivery capability to more than 100…
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17 MarchClothing & Shoes
Laura Ashley enters administration as coronavirus claims first casualty
Embattled home and fashion retailer Laura Ashley has fallen into administration after it revealed that the coronavirus outbreak has had an “immediate and significant impact on trading”. The company revealed that, while trading had improved by 24% year-on-year for the seven weeks up to 13 March, as well as directors…
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17 MarchHigh Street
ScS delays full results amid Covid-19 developments
Furniture retailer ScS has announced that gross profit is expected to increase 0.3% to £71.7m during the first half of the year, but has delayed the release of its full results due to recent coronavirus measures introduced. In its upcoming interim results, it also expects gross sales to increase 0.5%…
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17 MarchHigh Street
Colliers calls for Rates Deferment Scheme introduction amid COVID-19
Business rates experts at Colliers International have called for the Government to introduce a three-month or even six-month business rates deferment scheme to help businesses impacted by the coronavirus. It follows last Wednesday’s (11 March) Budget announcement, which Colliers said was “largely applauded” for the support given to smaller retail,…
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