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 -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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19 MarchAnalysis
Lidl & Aldi – Location, Location, Location
The demise of the high street and the evolution that part of retail is currently experiencing is extremely well documented. But one area that is not so well covered is the rise of Lidl & Aldi and their move towards dominance in the extremely valuable food retail market. This is…
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19 MarchClothing & Shoes
Nike global revenues up 3% as online helps offset store closures
Global sportswear giant Nike has revealed that its revenues for the third quarter of the year were $10.4bn (£7.4bn) up 3% compared to the prior year. The retailer revealed that despite a large portion of its store estate in Europe remaining closed during the final two months of the quarter,…
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18 MarchHigh Street
Wilko key workers prepare to strike amid sick pay cuts
Wilko key workers who are part of GMB union have announced they are preparing to strike after having their sick pay entitlement cut. A consultative ballot undertaken by the union saw 88% of Wilko workers vote that they were ready to take action up to and including strike action following…
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18 MarchClothing & Shoes
Ralph and Russo enters administration
Ralph and Russo has announced that it has been placed into administration putting its 400 worldwide employees at risk. Last week, a spokesman for the brand told Sky News that the company would “fight any attempt” by creditors to force it into insolvency. Following a year of affected trading caused…
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