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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Jun- 2023 -22 JuneSupermarkets
Ocado shares jump amid rumours of Amazon interest
Ocado has seen its share jump price surge by almost 32% this morning (23 June) among rumours that online retail giant Amazon could be interested in a potential takeover, according to The Times. Ocado saw its share price jump from from 424p per share at close on Wednesday to 607p…
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16 JuneFeatures
Shein pop-ups are worrying for independent fashion retailers
Fast fashion giant, Shein, hit the headlines once again to announce the introduction of around 30 pop-up shops located in major cities across the UK, offering a variety of clothing items, accessories, and homewares that were traditionally sold via its popular online store. However, despite its widespread popularity among people…
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16 JuneHigh Street
WHSmith partners with Retail Trust to boost staff wellbeing
WHSmith is introducing new measures to support its employees’ health and happiness after partnering with retail industry charity the Retail Trust to help boost staff wellbeing. The group’s 12,000 plus employees and their families now have access to a range of personalised resources including the Retail Trust’s wellbeing helpline, counselling…
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14 JunePeople Moves
BRC names new chairman
The BRC has announced the appointment of Andy Higginson as the new incoming chairman to succeed Tony De Nunzio in September this year. Higginson has over 30 years of senior executive and non-executive experience in the retail industry in the UK and internationally, covering major brands. Previously, he was CFO…
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12 JuneAnalysis
Can the John Lewis Partnership reach its goals?
Last week the chair of the John Lewis Partnership Sharon White made a commitment to return the company to profitability by 2026 in a speech to the Employee Ownership Association. This promise comes just three years after White started a five year plan at the company which amongst other things…
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9 JuneNews
May records negative retail sales for the first time since 2021
May experienced negative retail sales marking the end of 26 months of positive results, dating back to March 2021, according to new data from accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO. According to BDO’s latest High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales, in-store and online combined, fell by -1.5%. Despite…
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8 JuneHigh Street
The White Company begins search for new London stores
The White Company has launched a search for five new London stores as part of its plans to expand, Drapers has reported. The news comes as a few UK retail property agents have been sent a list of locations that the retailer would like to open stores in, including Blackheath,…
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8 JuneHigh Street
John Lewis chair pledges return to profit before 2026
Sharon White, chair of the John Lewis Partnership, has promised that the company will return to profit before 2026, in a speech to the Employee Ownership Association. After three consecutive years of posting losses White stated that the five-year plan started in 2021 would “get the partnership back to sustainable…
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5 JuneFeatures
The trials and tribulations of Superdry
Back in the early to mid 2010s Superdry was a highly popular and successful clothes brand. The company grew hugely in this time posting a profit before tax of £51.4m in its end of year results for 2012. However, more recently the brand has struggled highlighted in its most recent…
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5 JuneNews
Supply chain pressures slow down retail growth
Continued supply chain pressures, including cost increases, delayed materials and shortages outrank workforce challenges and increasing business costs as a main concern for over a third (36%) of mid-sized businesses, according to latest research from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO. The bi-monthly survey, which was conducted on 500 medium-sized…
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