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- 2022 -7 AprilNews
Asda distribution workers vote for strike action amid sick pay dispute
The GMB Union has announced that thousands of Asda distribution workers have begun an consultative vote on industrial action over proposed cuts to sick pay and a real terms pay cut. It said bosses are trying to “force” through a pay deal which would see workers lose sick pay entitlement…
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7 AprilNews
Ikea and H&M join forces for new creative programme
Ikea and H&M have joined forces to launch a new design venture for creatives that is set to pilot in London next month. Atelier100 is described as a “unique incubator programme” that aims to provide mentorship and inspiration to creators to help them create “commercially viable products”, and will launch…
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5 AprilEconomy
Retail footfall drops 22.9% across UK
Footfall fell by 22.9% compared to 2019 in the non-food sector across the UK, although footfall is up 9.9% compared to the previous month due to “unseasonably warm weather”. According to Ipsos Retail Performance, the retail sector performed the strongest at -14.9% compared to pre-Covid levels, while footfall on the…
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5 AprilSupermarkets
Supermarket sales remain in decline amid online pandemic comparatives
Total till sales at UK supermarkets fell -4.1% in the last four weeks ending 26 March, the lowest sales growth so far recorded in 2022, according to the latest data released by NielsenIQ. However, it said this is the final figure measuring sales growth against the high lockdown comparatives, indicating…
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5 AprilOnline & Digital
Moonpig annual revenues to hit £300m
Moonpig Group plc has announced it expects annual revenues to hit £300m in the financial year ending 30 April 2022, reflecting the temporary impact of Covid-19 on customer behaviour in late December and January. As the group’s trading performance has “remained strong”, Moonpig’s expectations for underlying revenues in FY22 remain…
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4 AprilDIY
Dunelm opens new format store at The Springs Leeds
Dunelm has announced it is set to open a new 18,362 square feet sales store with mezzanine in Leeds after it confirmed a further agreement with The Springs out of town retail and leisure shopping centre. This will be Dunelm’s first new smaller format store in the country and its…
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1 AprilHealth & Beauty
Boots Q2 sales rise as beauty demand climbs
Boots has revealed its total sales in the UK grew 15.2% in the second quarter ending 28 February 2022 (Q2), with continued market share gains in all categories, led by beauty. UK comparable retail sales increased 22% with sustained retail and pharmacy sales growth despite trading headwinds from the Omicron…
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1 AprilSupermarkets
Tesco to sell £2 lateral flow tests in stores across UK
Tesco has announced it will be selling CTDA-approved lateral flow tests in its stores nationwide from 1 April. Diagnostic healthcare company Everything Genetic has announced a deal which will see lateral flow devices stocked across thousands of Tesco’s stores and online from April 1, as the government moves to end…
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Mar- 2022 -31 MarchNews
H&M sales slow as war in Ukraine starts to dampen outlook
H&M has announced the group’s net sales have slowed to 6% in March from 23% in the first quarter due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to its first quarter results from 1 December 2021 – 28 February 2022. The group reported net sales in local currencies increased by…
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31 MarchComment
How to create the ‘Feel Good’ retail we all need right now
While the economy has fully opened up after the end of pandemic restrictions, we are faced with fresh challenges. Soaring inflation, ongoing supply chain disruption and the implications of a war in Europe loom large. Against this worrying backdrop many are looking for positive experiences to help us feel good…
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