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.
-
Mar- 2020 -30 MarchCoronavirus
BrightHouse collapses, 2,400 jobs at risk
BrightHouse has collapsed into administration, placing 2,400 jobs “at serious risk”. The rent-to-own home furnishings brand has now called in Grant Thornton as administrators following a period of poor trading amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. According to the BBC, Julie Palmer, from corporate recovery business Begbies Traynor, said that the…
Read More » -
30 MarchComment
What are your legal rights if your job has been affected by COVID-19?
Ever since the coronavirus outbreak gathered speed, life in the UK has largely been put on hold. From staff being unable to work due to self-isolation, to workers needing to stay at home to care for their children after schools were ordered to close, the impact on many businesses and…
Read More » -
30 MarchAdvice
Covid 19: The future health of the high street
The health of the high street is up for debate now more than ever. If retailers were struggling before coronavirus set its sights on our shores, following last week’s forced government closure of non-essential brick & mortar stores throughout the UK, it’s likely that many will have pulled down their…
Read More » -
30 MarchShopping Centres
Hammerson suspends dividend after collecting just 37% of Q2 rent
Shopping centre owner Hammerson has revealed it collected only 37% of its Q2 rent bill and has suspended its dividend amid the coronavirus outbreak. In a trading update released this morning (30 March), Hammerson said that with figures adjusted for rent deferred, switched to monthly payment, and a nominal proportion…
Read More » -
27 MarchCoronavirus
Tesco sets 80 item limit for online orders
Tesco has announced that from today (27 March) it will be limiting the number of items customers can put in online shopping baskets to 80. The move will enable the supermarket giant to “reach more customers, with more deliveries” as the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold. The group said that…
Read More » -
27 MarchCoronavirus
Co-op fills 5,000 roles in one week
The Co-op announced it has filled 5,000 temporary store roles it created last week in just seven days after an “unprecedented response” to the recruitment drive. The 5,000 new employees will have all been inducted to the group’s network of stores by this weekend. The retailer said that those who…
Read More » -
27 MarchClothing & Shoes
River Island shuts distribution centre
River Island has announced the temporary closure of its distribution centre in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The fashion retailer said that the move would help to protect its teams and “make sure they can do the right thing to keep their families and community safe”. The group said…
Read More » -
26 MarchClothing & Shoes
Quiz expects March results ‘materially’ below board expectations
Fashion retailer Quiz has warned that its March revenues and margins are expected to be “materially low” compared with the board’s expectations amid the coronavirus pandemic. Quiz said that prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, its year-to-date performance was set to be in line with expectations. Quiz said since the start…
Read More » -
26 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: Banks under fire over emergency loan scheme
Banks have come under fire over government-backed emergency loans which require business owners to sign for a personal guarantee, as the UK battles with the Covid-19 pandemic. The British Business Bank (BBB) opened applications for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) on Monday (23 March), and claimed the loan…
Read More » -
26 MarchCoronavirus
Intu receives only third of rent
Intu revealed that it has received only 29% of its second quarter rent that was due from tenants on 25 March. For the same period last year, it had received 77% on the quarter day, and the group is now in discussions with its customers regarding the outstanding rents. In…
Read More »
