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- 2023 -24 AprilFeatures
Is Labour’s five-point plan a starting point to revive high streets?
Can you tell me about yourself and your experience in the retail sector? I‘ve been working in retail for the past three years, having joined BRC the week before lockdown in March 2020. I work in our corporate affairs team, which has responsibility for running the BRC’s public affairs and…
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24 AprilComment
What can retailers learn from grocery stores?
The KPMG consumer pulse survey released recently says that 61% of people will have to reduce non-essential spending, do you agree? We’re finding that customers are definitely more selective about their purchases, obviously because of a lack of available spare funds, particularly when it comes to retail fashion, clothing and…
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24 AprilEconomy
Retail profit warnings fall to lowest level since 2020
UK-listed retailers issued five profit warnings in Q1 2023, marking a decrease from the nine issued in both Q4 2022 and Q1 2022, according to the latest data from EY. Despite representing the sector’s lowest quarterly total since Q4 2020, it said “persistent inflation, high interest rates and tightening consumer…
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20 AprilClothing & Shoes
David’s Bridal enters administration
David’s Bridal UK has entered administration after its US owner filed for bankruptcy. David’s Bridal UK Ltd is a subsidiary of the “long-established” David’s Bridal LLC which is headquartered in Pennsylvania, United States of America. The US arm filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy…
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17 AprilM&A
Retail M&A deals up 30% since pre-pandemic times, study finds
The number of UK M&A deals targeting retailers has increased by 30% since before the pandemic, with 34 retail M&A deals announced in 2022 compared with 26 in 2019, according to research by international law firm, RPC. This marks only a marginal decline from 35 retail deals in 2021 –…
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17 AprilClothing & Shoes
Quiz revenues rise 17% in FY23
Quiz has revealed that its unaudited revenues increased by 17% to £91.7m in the financial year ended 31 March 2023, following strong recovery in consumer demand. The group’s gross margins for the year were in line with management expectations and consistent with those recorded in the previous year, and as…
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13 AprilAdvice
The growing challenge of bots for e-commerce-based businesses
It’s no exaggeration to say that the coronavirus pandemic has left an indelible mark on consumer habits. According to Michael Keenan at Shopify, online purchases only accounted for 17.8% of total sales in 2020. Throughout the Covid crisis, however, the market share of e-commerce positively soared, due to the temporary…
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11 AprilHigh Street
Poundstretcher eyes stock market listing
Poundtsretcher is reportedly eyeing a floatation on the stock market, The Mail On Sunday has reported. According to City sources, the discount retailer has hired advisers to explore a potential listing after the business welcomed strong sales during the pandemic. The Mail said it was “not yet clear” if the…
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5 AprilDIY
Topps Tiles revenues hit ‘record’ high in H1
Topps Tiles has welcomed a period of “record” revenues for the group in the first half of the year, with revenues of £130.5m, £11.3m or 9.5% higher than the prior year. Around £9m of its revenue growth in the period was attributed to the acquisition of Pro Tiler Tools and…
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3 AprilAnalysis
The current discourse surrounding John Lewis
Recent news of John Lewis’ plan to shake up its partnership model, which sees that staff are treated as shareholders, has received a number of very passionate responses. Andy Street, who was the John Lewis managing director from 2007 to 2016, went on record to say that, should the employee-owned…
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