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 -13 AprilSupermarkets
Sainsbury’s expands Deliveroo partnership
Deliveroo has expanded its partnership with Sainsbury’s with a new two year contract, which will allow customers to order grocery goods via the food delivery app. The trial was initially launched in 10 stores last November, however a further 22 stores in London will be added to the offering. In…
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13 AprilSport & Leisure
JD Sports ‘retains profitability’ in FY21
JD Sports has posted a pre-tax profit of £421.3m, before exceptional items, in its financial results for the year to 30 January 2021. While this represents a drop in pre-tax profit from the previous year, down from £438.8m, the sports retailer confirmed it has “retained substantially all of its record…
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12 AprilAnalysis
How John Lewis plans to bounce back
In 2007, upmarket retail giant John Lewis revealed plans for an ambitious expansion scheme, which aimed to double the size of its business. At the time, the company only had 26 sites across the UK and the £700m investment was created to increase its high street presence: bringing a further…
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12 AprilDepartment Stores
John Lewis to suspend store closures
John Lewis has confirmed that it has no plans to close any further stores, according to The Times. Executive director Pippa Wicks insisted the chain will not close any more shops and defended its strategy to date, following news that eight John Lewis sites would not reopen post-lockdown. According to…
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12 AprilShopping Centres
Hammerson mulls £350m retail park sales
Shopping centre owner Hammerson has confirmed it is in talks to complete the sale of seven retail parks to Brookfield, a Canadian private equity firm, for roughly £350m. According to the Times, the funds will be used to strengthen the group’s balance sheet, providing the quickest way for the group…
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9 AprilAnalysis
The aspirin that soothes the returns headache
Are returns the biggest headache for online retailers? Returns are not so great for customers either. If retailers are to make the most of the new captive audience, it is time to stop treating returns as an annoying business cost. With the right approach, retailers can improve the customer experience,…
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8 AprilComment
Why retail store closures don’t have to be bad for business
It is no secret that the retail sector is facing somewhat of a crisis, with a number of leading retail chains – including Arcadia Group, M&Co, Harveys Furniture and Monsoon, amongst others – entering administration or shuttering up for good in the midst of the global pandemic. While for many…
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8 AprilHigh Street
Co-op to repay £15m furlough relief as profits rise to £77m
The Co-op has revealed it will repay £15.5m of the Covid relief it received from the government’s furlough scheme but will retain what it received in business rates support. The news comes after it reported a bumper rise in profits after tax and discontinued items for the year to £77m.…
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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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