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 -6 MayCoronavirus
Business rates revaluation postponed until 2022
A revaluation of business rates will no longer take place in 2021 in line with the government’s latest efforts to “reduce uncertainty” for firms affected by the ongoing pandemic. Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP confirmed that legislation has now been introduced to bring the next revaluation forward by…
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6 MayOnline & Digital
Card Factory online sales soar over 250% amid UK lockdown
Cards and gifts retailer Card Factory has reported a 267.5% increase in online sales since the UK lock-down began in March. During the period the retailer said it recorded “significant growth” in visitors, conversion and sales. In response to this increased demand, and to support social distancing, the company has…
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6 MayComment
Five ways COVID-19 has impacted e-commerce
COVID-19 has affected e-commerce marketing in all sorts of ways, and especially the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. Some essential goods are in such high demand that they don’t need any form of advertising to flourish. However, the pandemic has hit non-essential goods dramatically, presenting unique challenges for marketers…
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6 MayCoronavirus
Waitrose to open new distribution centre to double deliveries in London
Waitrose this week will open a new six-acre Customer Fulfilment Centre in Enfield, North London, to double its online grocery orders in the capital by September. The upmarket grocer said the site will create 370 new jobs, building to 850 when at full capacity, by which time it will be…
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6 MayClothing & Shoes
CMA blocks JD Sport merger
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced its decision to block JD Sports’ purchase of Footasylum after finding it would “leave shoppers worse off”. Following an in-depth investigation, the regulator concluded that this transaction would lead to a “substantial lessening” of competition, which would in turn leave shoppers with…
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5 MayAdvice
Supermarket Peep: a glimpse at UK shopping behaviours in the now
As we sit in our make-shift offices, attempting to keep a work-life balance and ponder where we will go on our permitted once daily exercise, it’s hard to walk past the local parade of shops or high street and not wonder when or even if normality will ever be the…
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5 MayHigh Street
Government launches £6.1m fund to help high streets through pandemic
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are set to receive a £6.1m funding boost to help high streets and town centres through the Covid-19 pandemic. According to high streets minister Simon Clarke, hundreds of local business partnerships across England will share the fund to spend on projects that will help their local…
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5 MayClothing & Shoes
J.Crew files for bankruptcy protection
J.Crew has become the first major US retailer to officially file for bankruptcy protection amid the global lockdown. As per the terms of the new filing agreement, the fashion retailer’s main creditors will take control of the group in exchange for cancelling debts of $1.65bn (£1.3bn), converting them into equity.…
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5 MayPeople Moves
JD Sports blocks director appointment at Boohoo
Sportswear giant JD has reportedly blocked non-executive director Kath Smith from joining online fashion retailer Boohoo in the same role. The online fashion group announced the appointment of Smith last month, effective from 1 May. Boohoo’s group CEO Mahmud Kamani had said: “Her commercial insight will be a great asset…
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4 MayCoronavirus
Homebase reopens UK sites amid Covid-19 pandemic
DIY retailer Homebase has reopened all of its UK stores amid the Covid-19 crisis. Despite being classed as an essential retailer, last month the retailer temporarily closed its stores and started operating online with Homebase saying the safety of its customers and team was its “first priority.” In a statement…
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