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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Aug- 2020 -17 AugustHigh Street
Debenhams draws up contingency plans for potential liquidation
Debenhams has reportedly drawn up contingency plans in the event of a potential liquidation, as it continues to weather the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a report by Sky News, it is understood that Debenahmans has drafted in Hilco Capital to support the retailer if the sales process for the 242-year-old…
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17 AugustDepartment Stores
Selfridges launches sustainability initiative
Selfridges has announced the launch of a “transformational” sustainability initiative entitled Project Earth. The initiative builds upon previous steps the department store has taken to “place sustainability at the heart of the business”, and will work to change the way customers shop by 2025. The scheme will address the materials…
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14 AugustHigh Street
River Island set to axe 350 jobs
River Island is reportedly set to axe almost 350 store management and sales roles as it continues to weather the coronavirus pandemic. According to an internal memo sent to staff, which was seen by Drapers, CEO Will Kernan said: “We are now in the process of restructuring our retail teams…
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14 AugustClothing & Shoes
New Look to secure £40m of funding
New Look has agreed a deal with its creditors to secure an additional £40m of funding to help ride out the covid-19 pandemic. Under the terms, New Look said it will have funding to provide a sustainable platform for post-Covid trading and enable the group to invest in, and deliver,…
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13 AugustHigh Street
Topps Tiles retail revenues rise in Q4 results
Topps Tiles has reported a 15.5% year-on-year increase in retail revenues for the Q4 period ended 8 August 2020. Average weekly sales also increased by 13.1% to £4.4m during the period. As a result, the retailer’s board now expects that the group will generate a “modest level” of adjusted profit…
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13 AugustLuxury Goods
Watches of Switzerland returns to growth
Watches of Switzerland has reported that full-year revenue rose by 5.9% to £819.3m in the period ended 26 April, 2020. Before lockdown, the group reported “strong” trading during the 46 weeks to 15 March, with group revenue soaring by 15.8%. Revenue was up by 9.4% across UK operations, and its…
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12 AugustEconomy
UK in recession following 20% GDP slump
The UK economy has entered into a technical recession following a “record” fall in gross domestic product (GDP) during the second quarter of the year. According to the Office for National Statistics, GDP slumped by 20.4% between April and June 2020, compared with the 2.2% drop seen during Q1 2020…
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11 AugustClothing & Shoes
Zalando sees revenues rise 20%
Online fashion retailer Zalando has reported a 19.6% increase in revenues to €3.56bn (£3.2bn) in the first half of 2020, compared with €2.98bn (£2.68bn) in the same period last year. In this period, Zalando reported a 25.1% increase in group GMV to €4.72bn (£4.24bn), compared with €3.77bn (£3.38bn) in 2019.…
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11 AugustCoronavirus
Retail sales rise for second month in a row
Total sales increased by 3.2% in July, against an increase of 0.5% in July 2019, marking the second consecutive month of growth since the start of the pandemic. According to the latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor, UK retail sales increased by 4.3% in the month against the year prior, following…
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10 AugustHigh Street
Baird Group launches CVA proposal
Baird Group has launched a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) proposal in order to safeguard the “long-term future” of the group. The group, whose portfolio includes Ben Sherman and Suit Direct, worked with KPMG’s Restructuring practice to review “all options” available to address the challenges presented by the pandemic. As a…
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