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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May- 2020 -13 MayCoronavirus
Dobbies reopens 54 UK sites amid Covid-19 pandemic
Garden centre chain Dobbies is to reopen all of 54 of its UK sites today (13 May 2020), following government guidelines to close amid the Covid-19 lockdown. The garden retailer, which temporarily closed its doors in March, said it has introduced a range of safety and social distancing measures, which…
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12 MayComment
The impact of extended returns policies for retailers and customers
Many retailers have announced that they will be extending their returns policies to help customers adapt to the current situation. Coronavirus has certainly forced businesses to make critical decisions over a very short space of time, with the ability to engage in normal shopping practices removed and adaption required immediately.…
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12 MayOnline & Digital
AO expects full year revenues will be in line with expectations
Online electricals retailer AO World has said that it expects its full-year revenues and adjusted EBITDA to fall within the range of “analyst expectations”. The online retailer is aiming to release its preliminary results for the year ending 31 March in July this year, as it will expect to have…
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12 MayCoronavirus
Morrisons sales rise in ‘volatile’ quarter
Morrisons has revealed that trading in the first quarter of 2020 was “volatile” in light of the ongoing pandemic, despite seeing a “significant improvement” in recent weeks. In the 14 weeks ended 10 May, group like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, were up 5.7%, with 5.1% of sales from retail and 0.6%…
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11 MayTips
The Impact of COVID-19 on Garment Workers – What to Know
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic shift to our daily and professional lives, leaving no one unaffected. Many businesses have taken a stepback and many jobs were lost, with the clothing industry taking much of the hit. Garment factories have been forced to shut their doors and temporarily…
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11 MayHigh Street
Mike Ashley and Peter Cowgill in race to acquire Office
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley and JD Sports owner Peter Cowgill have both been revealed as bidders for footwear retailer Office. According to Sky News, it comes as the chain seeks funding to support it through the current coronavirus pandemic. Two other unnamed parties who have also expressed an interest…
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11 MayComment
From dark store to hybrid store – adapting to a new world order
It’s safe to say the embattled UK high street had a rocky start to the year, with a reported 18,248 retail jobs lost and 1,211 shops closed in the first two months of the year alone. In fact, in February, the high street saw a 7.8% drop in footfall, as…
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11 MayHigh Street
Trouble ahead for retail vacancy rates, warns BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Local Data Company has said the new BRC-LDC Vacancy Monitor has revealed that the rate of store vacancies increased to 12.2% in March. The monitor also reported a 0.3% decrease in vacancy rates in shopping centres to 14.1% compared with 14.4%. The South West…
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7 MayCoronavirus
Zalando anticipates FY sales growth of 10% to 20%
Online fashion retailer Zalando has revealed it is expecting an increase in its full year gross merchandise (GMV) volume by between 10% and 20%, despite a slowdown in sales in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The online retailer expects to continue to “grow profitably” and therefore anticipates an adjusted…
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7 MayClothing & Shoes
Superdry sales slide as stores are shuttered
Superdry has announced that its fourth quarter performance was “substantially impacted” by the outbreak of Covid-19, with year-on-year revenue tumbling 36.9% to £118.5m. Following the closure of all owned stores and most franchise locations, group revenue for the full-year was down 19.1% to £705.5m against the year prior. Store revenue…
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