Pandemic
This coverage examines the impact of pandemics on the UK retail industry, focusing on operational disruption, financial challenges, consumer behaviour shifts, and recovery strategies. Reporting highlights store closures, safety measures, supply chain pressures, leadership decisions, and lessons learned to enhance resilience. Tailored for executives and managers, it provides insights to navigate crisis situations and strengthen preparedness.
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Apr- 2021 -21 AprilNews
UK inflation rises to 0.7% in March
Rising fuel, clothing and transport helped UK inflation rise to 0.7% in the 12 months to March, up from 0.4% recorded in February. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the largest upward contribution to the CPIH 12-month inflation rate came from transport (0.44 percentage…
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21 AprilClothing & Shoes
Next CEO pay rises 28% despite falling profits
Lord Simon Wolfson, chief executive at Next, saw his pay increase 28% to nearly £3.4m in FY20, despite the company profit before tax falling 53% year-on-year for the period. While Wolfson did take a cut to his basic salary and did not receive an annual bonus, the group’s non-executive directors…
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21 AprilCoronavirus
Over two-thirds of consumers plan to shop locally post-Covid
Shopify has found that over two-thirds of consumers will plan to shop locally following the pandemic, as it published the results of its survey into what shopping in the UK will look like post-Covid. Two-thirds (68%) of shoppers that were polled indicated that a store’s proximity will be an important…
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20 AprilNews
Search begins to find the UK’s fastest growing online retailers
One of the world’s leading Digital Operations Platforms has launched its search for the inaugural ‘Lightning 50’, a league table of the UK’s fastest growing e-commerce businesses of the last 12 months. The list has been launched to celebrate the fastest-growing UK retailers following findings from internal research that two…
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20 AprilCoronavirus
Reopening week sees footfall jump by 87.8%
Footfall in UK retail destinations rose by 87.8% last week following the reopening of non-essential stores on Monday 12 April, according to the latest figures from Springboard. Springboard found that UK high streets experienced a 93.2% rise and shopping centres saw an even higher increase in footfall at 126.6%. In…
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20 AprilOnline & Digital
M&S boosts online capacity through new warehouse
M&S has announced that work has begun on its Bradford Distribution Centre, which is set to become a second online warehouse for M&S.com in efforts to increase its online capacity. The reengineering of the group’s supply chain, including the extension of the Bradford warehouse, is an “important enabler” to M&S’s…
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20 AprilAdvice
How retailers can ensure frictionless trade despite Brexit paperwork boom
Despite the promises, both anecdotal and data-backed evidence suggests that the UK’s transition out of the European Union has not been as smoothed as hoped. Official government figures state that exports of goods to the EU fell by 40% in January 2021, with imports dropping 29%. The Federation of Small…
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19 AprilAnalysis
How retailers can optimise their digital strategies for a post-lockdown world
As we pass the anniversary of the first national lockdown, many retailers are pausing to reflect on how the past year has impacted their business. While some have struggled to adapt others have thrived, seeing restrictions as an opportunity to attract new customers through Google Shopping and e-commerce platforms. With…
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19 AprilHigh Street
The ASC launches ‘ShopKind’ campaign to target shopworker abuse
The Association of Convenience Stores (ASC) has launched a new campaign urging the public to “ShopKind” as the reopening of more stores and shops across the country gets underway. The news follows reports of abuse and violence towards shopworkers growing to at least 400 incidents daily. The campaign is backed…
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19 AprilHigh Street
Poundland owner eyes £4bn IPO
Pepco Group, the owner of Poundland and Dealz, is reportedly set to pursue a £3.9bn initial public offering (IPO) on the Polish market in the coming months. According to Sky News, the group’s management team and shareholders alike have snubbed London in favour of Warsaw due to the firm’s large…
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