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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Sep- 2020 -16 SeptemberComment
What to know: High street tenancies
As the Scottish Government considers extending the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act anti-irritancy provisions, which effectively prevent landlords from terminating commercial leases, speculation is increasing that temporary restrictions in England on landlords taking action against tenants in rent arrears may also be extended. What are those provisions and what do they mean…
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15 SeptemberCoronavirus
Unemployment rate rises to 4.1% in July
The rate of unemployment in the UK increased 0.2% to 4.1% in the two months to July 2020, according to the ONS. The UK economic inactivity rate was also estimated at a joint record low of 20.2%, 0.6 percentage points lower than the previous year and 0.3 percentage points lower…
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14 SeptemberFeatures
Behind the headline figures: Four reasons for optimism for retailers
The latest retail figures are showing signs of real encouragement for retailers. Retail sales volumes rose a better-than-expected 3.6% in July and are now above pre-pandemic levels. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that sales rose 2% ahead of a 0.2% prediction by economists, and this was on…
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14 SeptemberCoronavirus
Insolvent companies cost taxpayers £250m
Insolvent companies that were unable to pay their debts in the first six months of 2020 have cost British taxpayers almost £250m, according to Altus Group. The software group found that the amount paid to former members of staff was up by £133.79m in the period against the prior year,…
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11 SeptemberHigh Street
Games Workshop shares jump amid soaring sales
Games Workshop saw shares jump almost 20% in early trading yesterday, after posting strong preliminary trading results for the three months ended 30 August 2020. Its current estimates show sales of c.£90m, compared with £78m for during the same period last year. Operating profit for the before royalty income also…
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11 SeptemberCoronavirus
Businesses hit by local lockdowns to receive grants
Businesses in England that are required to shut due to local lockdowns will now be able to claim up to £1,500 per property every three weeks, the Government has announced. Chief secretary to the Treasury, Steve Barclay, announced the new funding plan yesterday (10 September) as part of ongoing efforts…
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10 SeptemberAdvice
How the retail experience is evolving in a contactless world
The goalposts have moved for digital customer experience and retailers the world over need to excel online now or risk losing out. Covid-19 has triggered a colossal shift in consumer behaviour and shopping habits after millions of non-essential businesses were forced to close for months with little warning. In the…
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10 SeptemberHigh Street
125,500 retail jobs lost since start of 2020
Some 125,515 retail jobs have been lost since the start of 2020, according to the latest data from the Centre for Retail Research (CRR). Of this figure, 43,381 jobs were lost through administrations, 10,556 through CVAs and 71,578 through rationalisation schemes. The UK’s embattled high street has also seen the…
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10 SeptemberSupermarkets
Morrisons profits dented by £155m Covid-19 costs
Morrisons has revealed its HY profits were dented by £155m of Covid-related costs. During the first half of 2020/21, Morrisons said “all its efforts” were fully focused on deploying its assets in the “best way” to enable its colleagues to help feed the nation during the Covid-19 crisis. For the…
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10 SeptemberCoronavirus
Government launches new ‘bounce back’ plan for retailers
A new series of measures has been announced by the UK Government to support businesses in the consumer and retail industries during the Covid-19 pandemic. The plans, announced by Minister for exports Graham Stuart, will offer immediate support to businesses by ensuring specialists provide advice on online retail and international…
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