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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Oct- 2020 -30 OctoberEconomy
UK shop vacancy rate increases to 13.2% in Q3
Shops in the UK are continuing to shutter, with the average shop vacancy rate increasing to 13.2% in the third quarter, according to data released by the Local Data Company and British Retail Consortium (BRC). On the high street, vacancies increased to 13% over the same period, in line with…
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29 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Shoe Zone to close fifth of stores over next two years
Shoe Zone has announced it expects to close a further 90 stores in the next 18 to 24 months, attributing the closures to the continued impact of Covid-19. The shoe retailer said it will close up to 45 stores by April 2021 in a move that will create “numerous” redundancies,…
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29 OctoberEntertainment
Hornby returns to profit as revenue surges 33%
Hornby has made a return to profitability in the first half of its financial year. The hobby products company, specialising in model trains, has increased its revenue by 33% to £21.1m following a business restructuring and new product launches. The business reported a statutory pre-tax profit of £17,000 compared to…
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28 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Next Q3 sales fall 17%
Fashion retailer Next has reported a 17.9% decline in Q3 amid the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The firm said its markdown sales were 12.3% lower than last year attributing to “lower footfall” in retail stores and “capacity constraints” in the online warehouses. Cash flow forecast increased by £25m,…
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28 OctoberOnline & Digital
Notonthehighstreet mulls £200m sale
Notonthehighstreet is reportedly eyeing a £200m sale after its revenues “surged” during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Sky News. The online gifts retailer is reportedly working alongside investment bank Evercore on a potential auction, and sources told Sky that a “number” of trade bidders and private equity groups have so…
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28 OctoberComment
How temporary workers could make the difference to Covid-19 workforce planning
Today, on average just one in six firms (15%) rely on a flexible workforce; with 1.5 million temporary employees working in the UK today. In comparison, eight in 10 (80%) retail businesses have hired more agency workers during COVID-19, as unpredictable demand forces brands to re-think their staffing strategies and…
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27 OctoberClothing & Shoes
EWM begins shuttering small number of stores
The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group (EWM) has reportedly already marked a small number of stores for closure as it continues to try and secure its future amid the coronavirus pandemic. According to Drapers, EWM branded stores in Penrith, Cumbria and Dingwall in Scotland closed permanently over the weekend (24-25 October)…
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27 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Quiz swings to loss as online sales fall
Quiz has swung to a loss of £3.7m in the full-year ended 31 March 2020, against a profit of £0.6m the previous year. In its latest preliminary results, the clothing retailer also confirmed that group revenue fell by 10%, while underlying EBITDA fell to £0.6m for the full-year, against the…
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26 OctoberHealth & Beauty
Unilever Q3 sales up 4.4%
Unilever has announced underlying sales growth of 4.4% for Q3 despite the impact of Covid-19. Turnover for Q3 fell 1.3% to €5.98bn (£5.43bn) from €6.06bn (£5.49bn) the previous year which the company attributed to the “changing consumer and channel dynamics” that have come about as a result of the Covid-19…
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26 OctoberHigh Street
Mike Ashley considers Jaeger bid
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group is reportedly considering the acquisition of “heritage” fashion brands Jaeger, Austin Reed and Jacques Vert from Edinburgh Woolen Mill (EWM) Group, according to The Sunday Times. Phillip Day’s retail group has struggled in recent months, shutting down 50 stores last week, as part of its administration…
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