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 -26 AprilComment
Why retailers must change their data approach to overcome Amazon
The post-pandemic business landscape has seen retailers fast-track their digital efforts in an attempt to become truly omni-channel – and safeguard against a repeat of 2020’s disruption. Conversely (and perhaps more interestingly), we’re also getting a better sense of where bricks and mortar fits into the strategies of the digital-first…
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22 AprilEconomy
Retail sales tumble amid cost of living crisis
Retail sales fell by 1.4% last month as consumers reduced their spending amid the cost of living crisis. This marked a much steeper decline than the fall of 0.5% reported in February 2022, revised from a previous fall of 0.3%. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the biggest…
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19 AprilClothing & Shoes
Brunello Cucinelli sees revenues rise 16.7% in Q1
Brunello Cucinelli has announced its net revenues have risen 16.7% at constant exchange rates to €196.9m (£163.1m) in Q1 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021. Compared to Q1 2019, the year preceding the start of the pandemic, growth is +22.8%, with the fashion retailer outlining “significant” double-digit increases…
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14 AprilDIY
Dunelm Q3 sales surge 69% despite ‘significant’ headwinds
Dunelm Group plc has reported its total sales surged 69% to £399m for the 13-week period ended 26 March 2022 (Q3) compared to £236.6m in FY21 with growth across all channels. The group said its growth was achieved despite “significant” raw materials and freight cost increases, and ongoing supply chain…
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12 AprilHigh Street
Retail sales slow as consumer confidence wanes
Total sales increased by 3.1% in March, dropping below the three-month average growth of 6.9% and the 12-month average growth of 10.3% as customer confidence waned amidst the cost of living crisis, according to the latest BRC-KPMG sales monitor. UK retail sales decreased 0.4% on a like-for-like basis from March…
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11 AprilClothing & Shoes
Mothercare ups guidance but warns on impact of Russian closures
Mothercare has announced that EBITDA is now expected to be in the range of £11.5m to £12m for the year ended 26 March 2022, ahead of analysts’ expectations, despite warning of the effects of the closure of its business in Russia. The anticipated higher earnings are reportedly due to a…
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8 AprilNews
Co-op profits drop 57% amid food supply disruptions
The Co-op Group has reported its underlying profits dropped 57% year-on-year in FY21 from £235m to £100m, marking a loss of £32m amid reduced availability of certain products in the group’s food stores following the effect of Covid on global supply chains. Pre-tax profits also fell 55% from £127m in…
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8 AprilClothing & Shoes
TM Lewin lender to rescue brand from administration
An investment vehicle owned by Petra Group has reportedly reached a deal to acquire TM Lewin after it collapsed into administration for the second time last month. According to Sky News, the lender to TM Lewin reached an agreement with Interpath Advisory to buy out the menswear brand, with sources…
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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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