Government
This coverage examines government actions, policies, and regulations affecting the UK retail industry. Reporting highlights legislation, consultations, economic measures, and public statements with direct implications for retail operations, employment, taxation, and consumer behaviour. Tailored for executives and managers, it offers analysis to support strategic planning and compliance in a changing regulatory and economic environment.
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Aug- 2020 -18 AugustPeople Moves
Hamleys CEO to step down
Hamleys chief executive, David Smith, is to step down from the position after only six months with the iconic toy retailer. According to Sky News, the reasons behind his departure remains unclear and it is understood that Smith will leave the group at the end of August. He was previously…
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11 AugustHigh Street
Frasers Group mulls Debenhams acquisitions
Frasers Group owner Mike Ashley is reportedly looking to acquire up to 30 Debenhams stores. According to the Mail, sources claim Ashley has discussed the acquisition proposals with senior members of staff, and a potential statement clarifying the speculation could be released this week. Ashley has previously attempted to take…
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11 AugustCoronavirus
Retail sales rise for second month in a row
Total sales increased by 3.2% in July, against an increase of 0.5% in July 2019, marking the second consecutive month of growth since the start of the pandemic. According to the latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor, UK retail sales increased by 4.3% in the month against the year prior, following…
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7 AugustCoronavirus
Poor July sales rock high street recovery
Poor in-store sales through the month of July have “dampened hopes of a recovery” across UK high streets, according to the latest High Street Sales Tracker from BDO. In-store like-for-like sales decreased by 39.4% last month, down from a marginal base of 0.1% that was reported the year before. According…
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Jul- 2020 -23 JulyHigh Street
Fraser Group warns of closures amid business rates valuation delay
Mike Ashley’s Fraser Group has warned that a number of its stores could shutter as a result of the Government’s move to delay the next business rates valuation until 2023. It said occupiers of the high street, including Frasers Group fascias, are still paying business rates based upon values from…
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22 JulyComment
Ensuring digital accessibility is part of the retail journey
The rapid acceleration of digital transformation has been one of the most remarkable aspects of the global response to the coronavirus pandemic, with people literally Zooming to stay in touch and accessing online products and services in unprecedented numbers. There is little doubt that the coronavirus has dealt a devastating…
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17 JulyCoronavirus
BFC calls on government support of fashion industry
The British Fashion Council (BFC) has called on the government to provide more support for Britain’s fashion industry in the wake of Covid. It comes as the group today released new data from Oxford Economics that “reinforces the stark reality of the impact of the global pandemic on the British…
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16 JulyAdvice
Effective stock management is key to retail revival
Following the optimism of non-essential high street shops reopening in mid-June, pessimism remains about near-term sales. The CBI’s monthly Distributive Trades Survey shows the vast majority of retailers expect sales to be lower than July 2019, with 62% believing lack of customer demand is the biggest operational challenge they are…
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14 JulyCoronavirus
DFS to cut jobs as revenues slide
DFS has revealed that revenues were down by £271m in the year ended 28 June 2020, largely due to the pause in deliveries following the nationwide lockdown. In light of the “challenging outlook” for its current market, the group has now commenced an operational restructuring of Sofa Workshop and Dwell…
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10 JulyCoronavirus
Footfall decline eases amid ‘sluggish’ recovery
Footfall across the UK rose by 19% in June against the month prior, but was still down by 62.6% year-on-year, according to the latest figures from the BRC. In the first two weeks of the month, footfall decline averaged 77.1%, but this improved to 53.3% in the remaining three weeks…
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