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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Jun- 2020 -18 JuneCoronavirus
Long Tall Sally to cease trading after 45 years
Womens fashion retailer Long Tall Sally is to cease trading after nearly 45 years. In a statement released on its site, the fashion retailer said the changing economics of retail, along with “fierce competition” have hit the company hard, along with the “profound impact” of Covid-19 pandemic further weakening its…
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17 JuneAdvice
The need for speed – How retailers can respond to consumers’ ‘mobile-first’ behaviour
The retail landscape has been altered beyond all recognition in the light of COVID. The fact that things won’t go back to how they were was recently acknowledged by the CEO of M&S Steve Rowe. He envisaged a future where customers “may never shop the same way again” after the…
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17 JuneCoronavirus
The Retail Mutual launches #OpenForBusiness campaign to support independents
The Retail Mutual has launched a social media campaign to support independent businesses, after non-essential retailers were permitted to reopen their stores earlier this week. Specialist cover provider for independent businesses has created the Open for Business campaign to “celebrate and support” high street retailers and to encourage consumers to…
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17 JuneCoronavirus
Forever 21 re-enters UK market with new online store
Forever 21 has re-entered the UK market following its administration last year, with the launch of a new online store. The US-based retailer has launched a new UK online store to service its British consumers with the full international assortment, an “improved” site and localised e-commerce experience. The brand is…
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17 JuneClothing & Shoes
Debenhams opens 38 more stores following ‘successful’ Monday reopening
Department store chain Debenhams has announced it will reopen a further 38 stores in England, following the “successful reopening” of 50 of its stores earlier this week. Debenhams revealed that four stores have also reopened in Northern Ireland, whilst the business awaits confirmation from Wales and Scotland as to when…
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17 JuneClothing & Shoes
Boohoo snaps up Oasis and Warehouse
Boohoo has acquired the online businesses of Oasis and Warehouse, following a £5.25m cash transaction with Hilco Capital Limited. The fashion group said the brands would be a “complementary” addition to its current portfolio, and it will now work to integrate them onto its platform in the coming months. The…
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16 JuneOnline & Digital
Covid-19 to add £5.3bn to UK e-commerce in 2020
The surge in online shopping caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to add £5.3bn to UK e-commerce sales this year, to reach a total of £78.9bn. This is according to analysts at Edge Retail Insight, the global trend forecasting arm of retail insights firm Edge by Ascential, which have…
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16 JuneClothing & Shoes
Joules predicts £3m loss after pandemic hit
Fashion retailer Joules has predicted an underlying loss for its 2020 financial year of between £2m and £3m attributed to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In a pre-closing update ended 31 May 2020, Joules said the impact of the Covid-19 virus between March and May resulted in a “material…
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16 JuneClothing & Shoes
H&M sales halve in second quarter
H and M net sales halved in the second quarter of 2020, tumbling 50% to 28.7bn Swedish krona (£2.4bn) following global lockdowns amid the ongoing pandemic. The fashion giant’s local currency net sales also halved in the period between 1 March and 31 May. E-commerce fared better, however, with online…
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15 JuneHigh Street
Travis Perkins to cut 2,500 jobs amid Covid-19 pandemic
Wickes owner Travis Perkins has revealed plans to cut almost 2,500 jobs amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. It comes amid a consultation process regarding the closure of around 165 branches across its overall estate, representing approximately 8% of the group’s network. The company said branch closures will be concentrated in…
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