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 -8 AprilClothing & Shoes
Barbour sees pre-pandemic profits fall 8.4%
Global lifestyle brand J Barbour and Sons saw its profits fall 8.4% year-on-year to £28.5m for the year ended 30 April 2020. This occurred despite the group’s turnover increasing from £225.2m in FY 2019 to £242.8m the following year. Barbour also saw its operating profit decrease £3.3m to £35.1m during…
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8 AprilClothing & Shoes
Asos profits rocket 253% amid lockdown
Asos has announced that its pre-tax profits rocketed 253% to £106.4m in the half-year ended 28 February 2021, as customers continued to turn to online shopping amid the pandemic. The group witnessed a sales growth of 25% across the period, reflecting a strong performance underpinned by “excellent” operational delivery, whilst…
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7 AprilAnalysis
Amazon’s here – so what’s the future for UK supermarkets?
Amazon has set its sights on the UK supermarket sector. From the Amazon Fresh initiative to its partnership with Morrisons, offering free, next day delivery to Prime customers, the arch disruptor is looking to turn the UK multiple market on its head. Free next day delivery for everyday, household essentials…
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7 AprilSupermarkets
UK supermarkets see clothing and confectionary sales boost
British consumers spent £439m on confectionery ahead of Easter in the four week period ending 27 March 2021, a +34% increase in sales compared with the same period in 2020. The new data released by Nielsen also reveals that as non-essential retail remained closed, consumers turned to supermarkets to “treat…
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6 AprilAnalysis
Retailers’ roles in protecting customers from the threat of fraud
With more than half of retail fraud now cyber-enabled, retailers are under pressure to identify any vulnerabilities across their digital payment process and are at significant risk of financial and data fraud in relation to their credit schemes. E-commerce has been rapidly growing for years and the number of digital…
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6 AprilSupermarkets
Iceland MD calls for digital sales tax
The boss of Iceland is calling for a digital sales tax to support the British high street’s economic recovery post-lockdown. Malcolm Walker, managing director of the group, believes a tax on online sales could potentially become part of an overhaul of current business rates, which he refers to as “outdated…
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6 AprilSupermarkets
Tesco adds 250 new food donation points
Tesco has announced plans to install more than 250 new food donation points at its Superstores and Tesco Extra stores throughout the country. According to the grocer, the food donations made by shoppers will be given to Trussell Trust food bank or FareShare – a charity network aimed at relieving…
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6 AprilAdvice
Offering a positive returns experience for retail consumers
Returns are a well-known pain point for retailers. Today returns are being exasperated by online purchases where vetting product quality is notoriously difficult. This means people are buying multiple items of similar descriptions to check the quality before returning those which aren’t up to scratch. Although this may seem like…
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6 AprilComment
How the pandemic changed the role of delivery drivers
The pandemic changed the world and it changed online retail. In addition to spiking sales, it reshaped the e-commerce customer journey and focused it on delivery. Delivery drivers have now found themselves as a brand’s new front of house team, thanks to the increased importance of their role and as…
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Mar- 2021 -31 MarchComment
It’ll be alright on the night
They haven’t seen a customer for months, and if reports are to be believed, it’s likely that other, unwanted visitors have likely moved in. But, for now, let’s assume that the local pest control have done their job, spring and summer lines are on the rails, and the windows are…
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