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.
-
Feb- 2021 -4 FebruaryHigh Street
Retail footfall drops 65.6% in first full month of third lockdown
Retail footfall has declined 65.6% in January compared with a 41.9% drop in December, as the first full month of the third national lockdown comes to an end. According to Springboard, footfall declined by 72.6% in high streets a further 73.6% in shopping centres and 42.1% in retail parks. However,…
Read More » -
3 FebruaryGovernment
Buy-now-pay-later to be regulated following FCA review
Buy-now-pay-later schemes are set to face stricter regulations and controls after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a review into the unsecured credit market. BNPL products have seen a “rapid” increase in popularity as the pandemic has continued to drive online shopping. These purchases nearly quadrupled in 2020, with sales…
Read More » -
2 FebruaryDepartment Stores
John Lewis Partnership to provide care packages to NHS workers
The John Lewis Partnership has announced its partnership with the British Medical Association (BMA) to provide frontline NHS workers with care packages to keep them “refuelled and refreshed” as they continue facing extreme pressure caring for patients in UK hospitals. Based on advice from the BMA, these supplies will be…
Read More » -
1 FebruaryAnalysis
Adapting and diversifying as a result of Covid-19
It’s no secret that 2020 was a tough year for many businesses. The closure of non-essential stores meant that the majority of retailers have had to find new ways to continue operation. Whilst the situation has and continues to be difficult for many businesses, we’ve also seen many become more…
Read More » -
1 FebruaryCoronavirus Featured Content
BRC chief calls for rates extension as vacancies rise by 13%
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has urged the government to extend business rates relief beyond April as the number of retail stores lying vacant rose to 13.7% in Q4 2020. The plea follows figures published by the consortium which show that all retail locations saw…
Read More » -
1 FebruarySupermarkets
Asda prioritises deliveries to support 5,000 nurseries
Asda has announced that it will now be offering priority access to slots in order to support 5,000 nurseries which continue to provide essential childcare services during lockdown. The supermarket chain has gifted its nursery customers with a ‘Priority Pass’, which will allow them to benefit from advance access to…
Read More » -
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),…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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,…
Read More »
