Job Losses
This coverage examines job losses within the UK retail sector, investigating store closures, restructuring initiatives, supplier impact, and workforce reductions. Reporting highlights trends in employment shifts, cost strategies, and executive decisions — offering insight for HR leaders, operations managers, and business executives dealing with staffing challenges and strategic planning.
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Apr- 2020 -1 AprilCoronavirus
Shop prices slide amid UK lockdown, says BRC
The price of shop goods slipped by 0.8% in March, down from 0.6% the month prior, according to the latest BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index. In the same month, non-food prices fell by 1.9%, which marked the highest rate of decline in non-food prices since May 2018. The lowered prices were…
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Mar- 2020 -25 MarchCoronavirus
20,000 stores could close this year, says Centre of Retail Research
A total of 20,620 retail stores will have shuttered by the end of the year, according to the Centre of Retail Research. In the newly-released ‘Coronavirus: Lost Lives, Lost Stores and Lost Jobs’ report, it was revealed that 4,547 more businesses would have to close their doors in 2020 compared…
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2 MarchDepartment Stores
Debenhams denies lenders’ threat to hold up restructuring over rent cuts
Department store chain Debenhams has denied reports of it telling landlords that its lenders may not sign off a “critical debt restructuring” unless they agree to further rent cuts. Debenhams and its lenders agreed to swap £100m of debt for equity in April last year after it entered pre-pack administration,…
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Jan- 2020 -23 JanuaryPeople Moves
Mothercare CEO steps down
Mothercare has announced that Mark Newton-Jones has stepped down as CEO of the retailer, effective today (22 January). He will continue as an executive director until July 2020, as the group works to complete its “transformation plan”. Newton-Jones also agreed to act as a non-executive director following this. The group…
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10 JanuaryHigh Street
Game to shutter 40 UK stores
Video game retailer Game has confirmed it intends to shutter 40 stores throughout the UK. To date, 13 sites have had notice served including existing Game sites in Mansfield, Canterbury, Watford, Glasgow Fort and Leicester. On 8 January notice was served on a further 14 sites impacting outlets owned mostly…
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9 JanuaryHigh Street
‘Worst year on record’ for retail, says BRC
Total retail sales decreased by 0.1% in 2019, compared with the 1.2% increase recorded in 2018, making it the “worst year on record” for retail according to the BRC. Helen Dickinson, CEO of the BRC, said this was reflected in the CVAs, shop closures and job losses that the industry…
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6 JanuaryEntertainment
HMV to close three stores and warns of more if rent negotiations fail
HMV has confirmed that three of its stores will close this month and has warned that a further 10 could close if rent negotiations with landlords fail to secure improved terms. In a statement released over the weekend the music retailer revealed it will be closing its Bury St Edmunds,…
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6 JanuaryDepartment Stores
Debenhams announces 19 store closures
Debenhams has announced the closure of 19 of its UK stores, resulting in 660 job losses. The department store, which entered administration in April last year, launched its CVA in the same month. The closures are due to take place during the next fortnight, with stores closing from 11 January,…
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Nov- 2019 -12 NovemberGovernment
Government must ‘play its part’ to support retail sector, says BRC
The incoming government must take action to fully support to the retail sector, the BRC has urged in its latest manifesto. The publication, entitled ‘A Vision for the UK Retail Industry’, calls for relief and reform of the industry as it navigates changes driven by new technology and changing consumer…
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Oct- 2019 -31 OctoberEconomy
Treasury Committee urges MPs to reform ‘broken’ business rates
The government has been urged to fix the “broken” business rates system as it is continuing to affect high street retailers, a Treasury committee has said. An influential group of MPs has asked the government to examine alternatives to property tax, which puts more pressure on high street retailers than…
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