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 -15 DecemberNews
Asda paid Walmart £1.1bn dividend before sale, accounts reveal
Asda paid an intercompany cash dividend of £1.15bn to former parent company Walmart in March this year, despite profits being dented by the onset of the pandemic, according to recently published company accounts. The payout came only months before the American retail giant sold the business to billionaire Issa Brothers…
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15 DecemberClothing & Shoes
H&M sales slump in final quarter
H&M has announced that net sales fell by 10% in the quarter ended 30 November 2020, following the impact of store closures and ongoing Covid-19 restrictions around the world. In its latest trading update, the group noted that overall sales have fallen by 18% in its full-year of trading, despite…
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14 DecemberAdvice
Forecasting future staffing needs
While many retail businesses use cash-flow forecasting to optimise their trading performance, could they be doing more to predict their staffing needs, both during and after the pandemic? Could this be key to their survival in the difficult months of winter trading ahead? In the retail sector particularly, both recruitment…
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14 DecemberClothing & Shoes
French Connection secures $6.5m in additional funding
French Connection has announced it has secured $6.5m (£4.9m) in additional funding, as part of its latest trading update. The UK fashion retailer said it secured the funding through the Main Street Lending Programme to support its US-based operations and staff. The loan will be for a period of five…
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14 DecemberClothing & Shoes
US group eyes Arcadia and Debenhams takeover
Authentic Brands, the US owner of New York department store brand Barneys, is reportedly eyeing a double takeover of Debenhams and Arcadia Group, according to the Telegraph. The retail group has reportedly entered discussions with the administrators of both businesses, placing chairman Jamie Salter in “direct competition” with Mike Ashley,…
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14 DecemberNews
No need to panic buy before Brexit, says BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has urged members of the public to refrain from stockpiling food before Britain leaves the EU on 1 January. The plea comes after the UK and EU confirmed on Sunday (13 December) that the deadline for reaching a deal on post Brexit would be extended. …
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11 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Administrators place £200m price tag on Topshop
Administrators for Arcadia are reportedly seeking a price tag of £200m for the firm’s Topshop brand and are looking to agree a deal before Christmas. According to The Guardian, administrators Deloitte are expecting to receive initial bids for the brand by the end of next week (18 December). Online retailer…
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11 DecemberHigh Street
McColl’s revenue tops £1.25bn despite store closures
McColl’s revenue has increased by 2.3% to £1.25bn this year in light of “strong demand” during the pandemic, according to the group’s full year trading report. In the year ended 29 November 2020, the convenience retailer’s like-for-like sales surged by 12%, due to a “strong performance” across its food, drink…
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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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