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.
-
Mar- 2020 -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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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%…
Read More » -
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,…
Read More » -
17 MarchClothing & Shoes
H&M sales increase despite being ‘negatively impacted’ by Covid-19
Fashion retailer H&M has reported a rise in sales in its first-quarter results, despite being “negatively impacted” by the outbreak of Covid-19. For the period ended 1 December 2019, H&M reported an 8% increase in net sales to SEK 54,988m (£46,609m) compared with £51m in the year prior. H&M said…
Read More » -
16 MarchAdvice
What will the spread of coronavirus mean for businesses?
The serious health concerns brought about by the coronavirus outbreak (officially Covid-19) have been well documented, as nations impose travel restrictions and enter quarantine to tackle the spread. The UK Government recently confirmed that sick employees will receive statutory sick pay from the first day off work, not the fourth,…
Read More » -
16 MarchClothing & Shoes
Primark owner shares dive after it warns of coronavirus impact
Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF Foods) has seen its shares dive in early trading after it announced that the closure of its European stores due to coronavirus could leave a hole of £190m in sales. Shares in the company dropped by 100% this morning (16 March) to £0.01p per…
Read More »
