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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Jan- 2021 -29 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
H&M FY profits fall 88%
H&M has revealed the extent of damage coronavirus has had on its business, with profit crashing 88% to SEK 2.05bn (£179m) in its full-year results, down from SEK 17.4bn (£1.5bn) the year before. In the full-year ended 30 November 2020, net sales also fell by 18% to SEK 187bn (£16.3bn),…
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28 JanuaryAnalysis
Supermarkets, the unsung heroes
Of all the many seismic changes that 2020 has precipitated, one that may have gone under the radar of most people is the impact of the pandemic on perceptions of the UK supermarket sector. Long lambasted for alleged price fixing tactics, squeezing suppliers and environmental concerns, the sector appeared locked…
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27 JanuarySupermarkets
Lidl gifts £200 bonus to employees
Lidl has announced that it will pay all its UK colleagues a one-off £200 thank you payment for their “hard work and ongoing dedication during the pandemic”. The supermarket will gift the payment to customer assistants, warehouse operatives and cleaners, across over 800 stores and 13 distribution centres. Lidl, which…
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27 JanuaryHigh Street
Paperchase rescued in pre-pack Permira deal
The majority of Paperchase stores are reportedly set to be rescued in a pre-pack deal that is poised to save around 1,000 jobs. According to Sky News, the rescue deal will be led by private equity giant Permira, with a deal expected to be agreed later today (27 January). Permira,…
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26 JanuaryAnalysis
The new front door to welcoming customers
The pandemic has hit retailers hard, with well-known brands already falling victim to the severe impact of lockdown. Coronavirus restrictions have forced retailers of all shapes and sizes to shift priority to digital channels, ensure customer services can operate remotely, and make necessary adjustments to protect shoppers in-store. The ability…
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26 JanuaryCoronavirus
Unemployment rises 5% to 1.7m
The UK unemployment rate rose by 5% in the three months to November with over 1.7 million people now out of work, according to the latest figures by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Since February 2020, the number of payroll employees has fallen by 828,000, however, the ONS said…
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26 JanuaryDepartment Stores
Frasers Group shutters Edinburgh’s Jenners store
Frasers Group has announced it will permanently close Edinburgh’s iconic Jenners store after the company failed to reach an agreement with the site’s landlord over continuing the tenancy. A spokesman for the group said the decision came after negotiations fell through with the building’s owner, Anders Povlsen, the current owner…
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25 JanuaryCoronavirus
Waterstones boss warns of closures unless gov extends rates relief
James Daunt, the boss of book retailer Waterstones, has warned that he could be forced to close stores unless the government extends its business rates relief and other forms of state aid. Talking to Retail Week, he said that while he has no intention to close stores currently – it…
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22 JanuaryAdvice
Don’t relapse into a brick-and-mortar mentality
Despite vaccines being rolled out and there being some semblance of light at the end of the tunnel, the situation for brick-and-mortar stores this year remains bleak. In-store retail continues to struggle and according to a recent report from The Centre for Retail Research, up to 200,000 in-store jobs could…
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22 JanuaryAdvice
The rise of friendly fraud: What’s so friendly about it, anway?
Can there be such a thing as ‘friendly’ fraud? What exactly is it, why is it happening and what can be done to safeguard against it? I’m sure you’re aware that over the course of the past 10 months there have been some significant changes in the way we act.…
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