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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Apr- 2020 -8 AprilCoronavirus
Holland & Barrett staff call for stores to close over safety concerns
Holland and Barrett has said its stores will remain open during the Covid-19 pandemic as the government views it as an essential company, despite pleas from staff to close sites over safety concerns. Staff members have launched a petition calling for stores to be closed in a bid to reduce…
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8 AprilOnline & Digital
Asos reports 25% drop in sales amid Covid-19 crisis
Online retailer Asos has reported a 25% decrease in group sales over past three weeks as the UK battles the Covid-19 pandemic, despite a 21% increase in revenues to £1.6bn in its half-year results. In the six months to 29 February 2020, Asos also reported a 21% increase in retail…
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7 AprilSupermarkets
Ocado unveils new measures as it apologises for inability to meet demand
Ocado has issued an apology to its customers for being unable to meet the current demand for its deliveries which it said is 10 times higher than usual. As a result it has also released a series of new measures including prioritising government shield list members and stopping orders from…
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7 AprilAdvice
Contactless payments in the age of coronavirus
In a matter of weeks our entire payments ecosystem has shifted. Many supermarkets have reacted to the coronavirus pandemic by implementing plastic barriers at checkouts to protect customers and staff during the shopping transaction. Meanwhile countless retailers and services have shifted to cashless payments to remove contact with consumers and…
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7 AprilClothing & Shoes
Clarks confirms ‘small number’ of permanent closures
Footwear retailer Clarks has confirmed it is to close a “small number of stores’ following a review of its store estate. The permanent closures are said to be unrelated to the current coronavirus pandemic, with the stores selected from its 367 strong portfolio already chosen due to having leases set…
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7 AprilSupermarkets
Tesco to launch NHS Nightingale pop-up stores
‘Big 4’ grocer Tesco has announced plans to open pop-up convenience stores at NHS Nightingale sites across the UK, amid the coronavirus pandemic. The NEC in Birmingham has been selected as Tesco’s first NHS Nightingale Hospital pop-up store, which is due to open later this week. Discussions are also in…
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7 AprilCoronavirus
WH Smith raises £166m through share placing
WH Smith has raised £166m through a share placing in efforts to shore up its finances amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A total of 15,751,826 new ordinary shares were placed at 1050p per share, with existing and new investors. The move raised a total of £165.9m for the group. The…
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6 AprilCoronavirus
Debenhams appoints FRP as administrator
Debenhams has announced its intent to appoint an administrator in order to “protect” the business from creditors during the coronavirus outbreak. It is believed the move will work to prevent liquidation while its 142 UK stores remain closed in line with government advice amid the ongoing pandemic. The news closely…
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6 AprilCoronavirus
Temporary store closures due to coronavirus lead to 14% drop in retail jobs
The UK job market has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, with retail jobs dropping by 14% in March, when comparing data with the previous year, according to the latest report from CV-Library. The study, which explores job market data from March 2020 and compares this with figures from…
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6 AprilCoronavirus
WH Smith to raise equity amid ongoing pandemic
WH Smith has announced its plans to issue equity in order to secure a £120m lending facility amid the ongoing pandemic. Due to the “uncertain” period of trading, the group plans to secure the loan in order to strengthen its balance sheet, working capital and liquidity position and mitigate the…
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