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 -8 JanuaryNews
M&S sees clothing sales slip during festive period
Sales at Marks and Spencer’s retail and home department fell by 25.1% over the holiday period. In a post-Christmas trading update the company described its performance as “robust in the face of volatile Covid headwinds”, with total revenue from the second UK lockdown falling by 40.5%. While sales in M&S’s…
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8 JanuaryEconomy
Boots’ parent company reports strong Q1 trading
Walgreen Boots, the parent company of Boots, has reported its first quarter trading has exceeded expectations after it was buoyed by the UK pharmacy and optician business. The US-based firm announced that sales increased by 5.7% to $36.3bn (£26.7bn) over the three month period, while earnings decreased by 11.2%, ahead…
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6 JanuaryAnalysis
The year ahead in retail: An expert panel discussion
It’s been an unusual year to say the least, particularly in the retail sector. Some retailers have struggled as a result of the pandemic, but many have thrived as digital transformation becomes a habit and now preferable choice for consumers. Fast-growing digital marketing agency Modo25 hosted an online discussion with…
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6 JanuaryComment
How retailers can build a strong digital presence
Despite the announcement of a COVID vaccine last week, it’s clear that consumers’ shopping habits won’t be returning to ‘normal’ anytime soon. Even before the crisis, the high street had been fighting a losing battle against Amazon and the wider shift towards e-commerce. This has only accelerated as lockdown restrictions…
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6 JanuaryNews
Online grocery sales double over festive period
The online share of grocery sales at UK supermarkets has doubled to 12.5% in the four weeks ending 26 December 2020, up from 6.7% last year, according to new data released by Nielsen. The rise in sales was predominantly due to a total of 8.5 million households shopping for their…
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6 JanuaryDIY
Travis Perkins appoints new chair
Travis Perkins, the home improvement retailer, has announced the appointment of Jasmine Whitbread as its new chair. Whitbread is set to succeed Stuart Chambers, who is stepping down as a director and non-executive chairman on 30 March 2021. Currently the chief executive of London First, Whitbread will join the retailer…
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5 JanuaryCoronavirus
Chancellor unveils £4.6bn in new lockdown grants
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000, the chancellor has announced. The news comes after the prime minister’s announcement that businesses will be closed until at least February half-term in order to help control the spread of Covid-19. Alongside…
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5 JanuaryNews
Next reports better than expected Christmas sales
Fashion retailer Next has revealed its sales in the nine weeks to 26 December were down 1.1% on last year, a figure which is “much better” than what the store predicted in October. In a post-Christmas trading statement the brand said the “benefit of better sales” in November and December…
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5 JanuarySupermarkets
Morrisons welcomes ‘strong’ festive trading
Morrisons has welcomed “strong” sales over the Christmas and New Year period, with group like-for-like sales rising to 9.3% over the festive season. It comes as group like-for-like sales rose by 8.1% in the 22 weeks ended 3 January 2021, comprising contributions from retail of 7.2% and wholesale of 0.9%.…
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5 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Edinburgh Woollen Mill owes creditors over £190m
Philip Day’s Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM) owes a reported £192m to its unsecured creditors, according to Drapers. A report from FRP Advisory, which was seen by Drapers, reveals that those who are indebted includes suppliers and landlords, shows that as of 24 December the firm owed a total sum of…
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