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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Mar- 2021 -24 MarchHigh Street
Tui to close 48 high street sites
Tui, the travel operator, has announced that it is closing 48 of its UK high street sites, impacting 273 jobs in the process. The group’s decision follows the proposed shutting of 166 Tui sites, in turn affecting 900 jobs, that was announced in July 2020 as the pandemic continues to…
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24 MarchCoronavirus
Over 11,000 high street shops shut in 2020, study finds
Over 11,000 stores closed on UK high streets last year and another 18,000 could follow in 2021, according to the latest research from the Local Data Company. The figures come as 9,887 chain stores were forced to close last year with an additional 1,442 independent stores shuttering their doors for…
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24 MarchDIY
Wickes demerger to commence following FCA approval
Travis Perkins has “marked the next milestone” in the demerger of Wickes from the group after submitting a proposal of the move to the FCA for approval. Following approval, Wickes shares are set to be admitted to the premium listing segment of the FCA and admitted to trading on the…
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24 MarchCoronavirus
Local shops and online groceries see lockdown retail boom
Online shopping and local retailers have benefited from shifting consumer behaviour during the pandemic, according to new research by Barclaycard Payments. In its data research, Barclaycard partnered with futurist Tom Cheesewright to discover what these shifts mean for the future of British retail. It found that online grocery shopping has…
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23 MarchSupermarkets
McColls profit dips in FY20 despite rising convenience demand
McColls has announced that its profit for the year ended 29 November 2020 slipped by 4.7% to £300.9m, despite noting that demand for its local convenience retail offering has “never been higher”. Whilst pre-tax profit fell from £7.4m to £1.1m, sales were up by 3.2% to £1.258bn in the period,…
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23 MarchHigh Street
Terrys revenue soars 109% YOY
Terrys has reported an overall revenue increase of 109%, to an undisclosed amount, over the last year after seeing a huge surge in demand throughout the UK’s recent national lockdowns. The home furnishing retailer’s ecommerce operations assisted business during the pandemic, with searches for blackout curtains up 47% and roman…
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22 MarchAnalysis
Amazon Fresh and the rise of automation in retail
Years ago when someone walked into a shop and emerged without paying, it usually resulted in an arrest and a possible visit to the local magistrate’s court. However, in the digitally-driven 21st Century, this practice has started to be actively encouraged as a means to ease the shopping experience for…
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22 MarchEconomy
Sunak delays debate for online sales tax until autumn
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will reportedly wait until autumn before deciding whether or not to impose a UK online sales tax which will attempt to level the playing field between online retailers and the high street. According to the Financial Times, Sunak is waiting until US president Joe Biden’s administration team…
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22 MarchDIY
Kingfisher full-year profits soar amid DIY boom
Kingfisher has announced that pre-tax profit soared by 44.4% to £786m in the year ended 31 January 2021, following a surge in DIY spending amid the pandemic. Retail profit was up 27.4% in the year, which was largely driven by a strong B&Q performance, while total sales rose by 6.8%.…
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22 MarchSupermarkets
Iceland spends £150m on deals despite pocketing £40m Covid relief
Iceland’s owners have taken and spent £150m from the supermarket chain since the beginning of the pandemic, despite refusing to repay business rates relief, according to The Sunday Times. The company’s recent investor presentations revealed that Sir Malcolm Waker, Iceland’s founder, used £141m to purchase former shareholder Brait and acquire…
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