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- 2021 -21 AprilNews
Argos to close Somerset depot, 230 jobs at risk
Around 230 jobs are reportedly at risk following the planned closure of an Argos distribution site in Bridgewater, Somerset. A Sainsbury’s spokesperson told Retail Sector: “Last year we shared plans to accelerate the integration of the Sainsbury’s and Argos logistics networks and confirmed a number of our existing depots would…
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Feb- 2021 -23 FebruaryGovernment
Gov should ‘remain flexible’ when lifting retail ban, says BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said the government should “remain flexible” and allow non-essential retailers to reopen as soon as the data suggests it is safe to do so. The statement comes in response to Boris Johnson’s roadmap’ out of lockdown, where the PM said it is possible that…
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1 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Frasers Group acquires New Look’s Brighton store
Frasers Group has reportedly acquired the freehold of New Look’s Brighton store. According to Drapers, the store located at 188-191 Western Road is just one of New Look’s portfolio that is undertaking a rent restructuring following a CVA approved in September 2020. The CVA has ushered in a three-year rent…
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Jan- 2021 -25 JanuaryHigh Street
Retail sector set for 200,000 job losses
The UK’s retail sector has been forecasted to see 200,000 job losses in 2021, as Covid-19 continues to cause deep challenges to the industry, according to a study conducted by the Centre for Retail Research (CRR). The research group has predicted an 18% rise in retail closures this year, resulting…
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21 JanuaryAnalysis
Retailers could be heading for a New Year insurance disaster
Among the huge number of changes brought about by COVID-19, one of the biggest shifts in 2021 will be the emphasis placed on mitigating physical risk for businesses. Whether it’s ensuring strict new hygiene regimes or policing slip and trip hazards within stores, organisations across the retail space in particular…
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Nov- 2020 -12 NovemberClothing & Shoes
LK Bennett set to launch CVA
LK Bennett has launched a CVA proposal, which will result in five store closures and a small number of job losses. The womenswear retailer will also move its remaining shops to turnover-based rents in order to “mitigate the ongoing financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic”, Drapers reported. Currently, the business…
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Oct- 2020 -27 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Clarks begins landlord talks over restructuring deal
Clarks has reportedly “kicked off” restructuring talks with landlords regarding store closures and rent cuts, according to Sky News. The footwear retailer and its advisers are said to be meeting with landlords this week to discuss a restructuring that would see the chain switch to a turnover-based rent model for…
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19 OctoberCoronavirus
Wales announces ‘firebreak’ lockdown
The Welsh government has announced a two-week “firebreak” national lockdown, which will force business closures across the country from 23 October at 6pm until Monday 9 November. According to BBC News, first minister Mark Drakeford said the “time-limited firebreak” will be “a short, sharp, shock to turn back the clock,…
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Sep- 2020 -18 SeptemberCoronavirus
Mayor of London urges government to extend business rates holiday
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and London Councils have joined together to urge the Government to extend the business rates holiday and help protect thousands of jobs in London and across the country. Businesses in the retail, hospitality, leisure and childcare sectors are currently benefiting from 100% relief from…
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14 SeptemberEconomy
700,000 jobs at risk as end of furlough scheme draws near
Over 700,000 employees are at risk of being made redundant in the second half of 2020, research from Institute for Employment Studies (IES) has revealed. IES estimates that some 650 thousand redundancies are expected in the second half of 2020, with 445 thousand redundancies in the three months between July…
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