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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Mar- 2020 -25 MarchCoronavirus
Halfords forecast 25% sales slump
Halfords has warned that sales will “drop sharply” in light of the coronavirus outbreak, with a forecasted sales decline of 25%. After modelling a range of disruption scenarios that assume “significant sales declines” between April and June, it predicts its next full-year results will see a loss of £300m in…
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24 MarchHigh Street
McColls announces stores remain open amid Covid-19 virus outbreak
McColls Retail Group has today announced that it is to keep its stores open amid the coronavirus pandemic. The convenience retailer said it has put into place a range of policies “designed to protect our colleagues and customers, keep our stores open and trading safely, and to enable our head…
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24 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: UK retail spending to fall by £12.6bn
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic will wipe £12.6bn from retail sales this year, according to the latest forecast by GlobalData. The data and analytics company said that the figure was the equivalent of Aldi’s total UK sales last year. The total retail market for 2020 is now expected to…
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24 MarchEconomy
Covid-19 brings UK economy to temporary standstill, says KPMG
The impact of the Covid-19 virus is expected to see the UK economy contract by 2.6% in 2020, according to KPMG UK’s latest quarterly Economic Outlook. A protracted outbreak could also result in a more severe impact than the downturn experienced in 2008-09. However, it said the economy is expected…
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24 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: Debenhams, Ted Baker and The Works latest to close stores
Debenhams, Ted Baker and The Works are some of the latest retailers to close stores amid the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the UK. Debenhams said it took the “tough decision” to close stores yesterday evening as a result of the current circumstances, but hopes to reopen as soon as it is…
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23 MarchHigh Street
H.Samuel announces temporary store closures amid Covid-19 virus outbreak
High street jewellery store H. Samuel has announced the temporary closure of all its stores amid the recent outbreak of the Covid-19 virus. The retailer announced all store closures will take effect from today (Monday 23 March) but its website will be “open as usual.” In a statement, the retailer…
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23 MarchDepartment Stores
John Lewis stores to close for first time in 155 years
John Lewis Partnership has announced the temporary closure of all John Lewis stores in light of the coronavirus pandemic. All 50 sites will cease trading today (Monday 23 March), after the “difficult decision” was confirmed by its board. It marks the first time in the group’s 155-year history that its…
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20 MarchHigh Street
Covid-19: Government to pay 80% of salary to staff unable to work
Chancellor Sunak Rishi has said the government will pay 80% of wages to employees who aren’t able to work due to the coronavirus, up to £2,500 a month, according to the BBC. The “unprecedented measure” comes as the government has unveiled more plans to protect jobs and businesses amid the…
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20 MarchDepartment Stores
Harrods to close amid coronavirus chaos
World-famous department store Harrods is to close its doors this evening (23 March) due to the coronavirus pandemic. It said the welfare of its community of colleagues, customers and partners has been its “absolute priority throughout this time of uncertainty”. As a result, it has made the “very difficult decision”…
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20 MarchHigh Street
Ikea to temporarily shutter all UK stores amid Covid-19 pandemic
Ikea UK and Ireland has said it will temporarily close its stores to customers at 6pm on Friday 20 March, as a “precautionary measure” against the ongoing risk of Covid-19. In line with recommendations from local authorities, the retailer said it had already put additional precautionary measures in place, including…
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