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 -15 JuneCoronavirus
Matalan seeks £29m HQ sale
Matalan is reportedly seeking a sale of its Liverpool-based headquarters as it looks to inject more cash into the business as the coronavirus pandemic continues. According to the Sunday Times, the retailer is looking to raise around £28.5m from a sale and leaseback of the property. Reports also suggest that…
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15 JuneCoronavirus
Usdaw urges public to ‘respect shopworkers’ as shops are allowed to reopen
Shopworkers union Usdaw has urged customers to respect staff and employers to ensure safety in stores, as shops are allowed to reopen from today (15 June). The news comes as Usdaw released statistics revealing one in six shop workers have suffered abuse on every shift, during the coronavirus pandemic. The…
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12 JuneEconomy
UK GDP slumps over 20% in April as full impact of Covid-19 is felt
GDP slumped by 20.4% in April 2020, following a fall of 5.8% in March, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is the biggest monthly fall since the ONS’ series began in 1997, with the measure also falling by 10.4% in the three months…
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12 JuneCoronavirus
The Works aims to reopen 465 stores next week
The Works has announced it is aiming to reopen 465 stores across England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland next week. The stationery retailer temporarily closed its stores in March due to government guidelines surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The company said it is following government safety guidelines and each…
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11 JuneEconomy
Majority of SMEs believe UK is headed for deep recession post-pandemic
Almost seven in 10 (69%) small business owners believe the UK is heading for a deep recession following the coronavirus pandemic and resulting lockdown, according to new research from FreeAgent. In addition, almost three quarters (73%) believe many small businesses will struggle to make enough money to survive and two…
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11 JuneCoronavirus
Fenwick to reopen all nine UK stores on 15 June
Department store Fenwick revealed that all nine of its UK stores will reopen from Monday (15 June) as lockdown measures begin to ease. Fenwick said in order to prepare for its reopening, each store has undergone “intensive” cleaning both front and back of house, with “extensive social distancing measures implemented”.…
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11 JuneCoronavirus
B&M hails year of ‘solid growth’ despite pandemic
B&M has revealed that group revenue increased by 16.5% to £3,813.4m in the full-year ended 28 March, despite the effects of the ongoing pandemic. In the same period, its UK business delivered “strong trading”, with revenue up by 12.6% in the period. This included a like-for-like growth of 3.3% for…
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10 JuneClothing & Shoes
Quiz places loss-making stores into administration
Quiz has revealed it is placing the division that runs some of its loss-making stores into administration. Quiz said that in order to “protect the future” of the company it has decided to appoint joint administrators from KPMG to the group’s 82 standalone stores in the United Kingdom and the…
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10 JuneEconomy
UK GDP expected to decline 7.2% in 2020 amid ongoing pandemic
The continuing impact of the Covid-19 virus is expected to see the UK economy contract by 7.2% in 2020, with the economy unlikely to be able to fully restart until a vaccine or effective treatments for the virus are available. This is according to KPMG UK’s latest quarterly Economic Outlook,…
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10 JuneCoronavirus
70% of shoppers ‘not comfortable’ returning to shops
Consumers remain “deeply cautious” about returning to shops, the latest EY Future Consumer Index has revealed ahead of retailers opening next week (15 June). According to the survey of 1,017 consumers, 80% said they would be “uncomfortable” trying on clothes in a store, while only 25% are “currently comfortable” visiting…
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