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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Dec- 2020 -11 DecemberAdvice
The show must go on
Amazon’s Christmas 2020 advertising campaign perfectly captures the spirit of the nation with it’s story of a ballerina’s disappointment after a canceled show, and later determination and triumph when she performs solo outside for her community. The message is clear (as the new arrangement of The Queen classic in the…
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10 DecemberAdvice
Three ways retailers can set up retail success and fight fraud this holiday season
This year’s holiday season is set to be the most important retail period in living memory. With UK retail spending during the 2019 peak season exceeding £75.8bn, the stakes this year couldn’t be higher. Not only do retailers need to adjust their strategies to recoup in-store losses due to COVID-19,…
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8 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Joules sales hit by lockdown
Joules has announced that group revenue was down by 15.3% to £94.5m in the 26-week period ended 29 November 2020. According to the group, this reflected the impact of enforced store closures as well as the cancellation of country shows across the UK, alongside the fact that total store trading…
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7 DecemberDIY
Kingfisher set to return business rates relief funds
Kingfisher has announced it intends on returning the full amount of business rates relief received to the UK and ROI as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. Kingfisher said its “total annual business rates bill” eligible for this relief is approximately £130m, of which £110m falls in FY 20/21 and…
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7 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Ted Baker losses widen as sales fall 42%
Ted Baker has announced that its losses have continued to widen, with underlying loss-before-tax amounting to around £39m, primarily driven by lower revenue levels, and partially offset by our cost actions. In the 28 week period ended 8 August, group revenue was also down by 45.9% against the prior year. …
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7 DecemberAdvice
Re-energising retail in 2021: Three challenges and one solution
The story of retail in 2020 is one of extreme contrasts. On the one hand, the Amazons, Asos and supermarket operators of the world have all enjoyed tremendous success; on the other, almost every other segment of the industry has been decimated. More than 11,000 chain outlets shut in the…
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4 DecemberCoronavirus
Co-op members urge company to return rates relief
The Co-op Group is reportedly being urged by its members to reverse its decision not to repay the millions of pounds it has received in rates relief this year. According to Sky News, some of its National Members Council believe that due to the £150m it has generated from the…
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4 DecemberNews
Support of UK producers ‘vital’ for food businesses, study finds
Waitrose has released its Food & Drink Report 2021 which found that nearly three quarters of people wanted to see more food businesses in the UK express their “ongoing support” for local British producers. The report was based on OnePoll research of 2,000 people across Britain, not just Waitrose shoppers.…
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4 DecemberSupermarkets
Aldi plans to repay business rates relief
Aldi has announced its plans to repay the government any money it has received during the pandemic from the business rates relief. Back in March, all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England were given a business rates holiday for 12 months to help them get through the crisis. Supermarkets,…
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3 DecemberNews
Sainsbury’s forgoes £410m rates relief
Sainsbury’s has joined rivals Tesco and Morrisons in a pledge to repay the government’s business rates relief, bringing the total number of returned costs to over £1bn. The supermarket has revealed plans to forgo approximately £410m of its business rates relief. In a statement, Sainsbury’s said it has been considering the…
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