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 -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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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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