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 -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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3 DecemberEconomy
Retail hiring falls 20%
Hiring in the UK’s retail sector was down 19.7% in October compared to the same month last year, according to Linkedin’s ‘Workforce Report’ for December 2020. Nationally, across every industry, hiring in the UK was 10.2% lower than in October 2019, but hiring across the country was 5.8% higher in…
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3 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Arcadia brings forward pension fund payment
The owner of Arcadia, Lady Christina Green, is set to bring forward a payment of £50m that will go into the collapsed group’s pension scheme. The £50m installment was originally scheduled to be paid in September of next year, but has been brought forward in light of the retailer’s collapse…
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2 DecemberNews
Tesco to repay £585m rates relief
Tesco has announced that it will repay £585m in business rates relief to the UK government and devolved administrations. The supermarket said it was “immensely grateful” for the financial and policy support provided by the government, adding that the rates relief was a “game-changer” for all retailers. It noted that…
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1 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Debenhams to be wound down, 12,000 jobs at risk
Embattled department store chain Debenhams is to be wound down, placing 12,000 jobs at risk, after talks with JD Sports over a potential rescue deal failed. The business will continue to trade through its 124 UK stores, as well as online. If it does not receive any alternative offers from…
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