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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Dec- 2021 -6 DecemberNews
Tesco set for Christmas shortages amid strike action
Tesco shoppers in many parts of the UK “face empty shelves” in the run-up to Christmas as members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, announced strike action in a dispute over pay. It revealed the strike is a result of Tesco offering the workers “just a four percent pay increase”,…
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6 DecemberEconomy
Sustainability ‘falls down agenda’ for retailers, report finds
Sustainability is less important now than it was a year ago for a quarter (24%) of retailers, while 8% say it has fallen down the agenda “quickly”, according to new research from UK law firm TLT. A fifth (21%) of retailers said sustainability was not currently important to their business,…
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3 DecemberHigh Street
Poundstretcher rewards staff with 10% pay increase
Discount chain Poundstretcher has announced it is rewarding all of its employees in “recognition of their hard work” throughout the pandemic, as well as the company’s restructuring in 2020 with a 10% pay increase. It revealed that from 1 January 2022, all employees who have completed a year’s full service…
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2 DecemberDepartment Stores
Thai group closes in on £4bn deal to buy Selfridges
The Weston Family are close to agreeing a deal with Thailand’s Central Group over the £4bn sale of Selfridges. According to the Times, the Weston Family have reportedly agreed terms with the Thai group this week and are hoping to close the deal by the end of the year. The…
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Nov- 2021 -30 NovemberSupermarkets
Asda Q3 sales slow as group combats supply issues
Asda has revealed it has chartered its own cargo ship to protect the availability of key festive products in a bid to combat supply challenges and ensure shelves are stocked for Christmas. Other measures include increasing the volume of turkeys and pigs in blankets in store compared to last year,…
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25 NovemberHealth & Beauty
Revolution Beauty eyes US expansion despite losses widening
Revolution Beauty has revealed plans to expand its presence in the US market, despite seeing its H1 losses widen to £15.2m on the back of rising costs. The beauty retailer revealed the loss for the six month period ending 31 August came despite group revenues surging 39% to £78.6m. It…
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25 NovemberPeople Moves
Asda unveils new board appointments
Asda has appointed Lord Rose as its new chairman and Dame Alison Carnwath as non-executive director, with both appointments taking effect from 1 December. Rose is currently chairman of Zenith Automotive and the EG Group. Previously, he was CEO and executive chairman of Marks and Spencer, and he has also…
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25 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Mothercare swings to profit in half-year results
Mothercare has welcomed a return to profit in its latest half-year results, reporting a pre-tax profit of £3.6m in the period ended 25 September 2021, up from a loss of £13.2m the prior year. It comes as the group said it had put initiatives in place to help improve its…
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24 NovemberComment
The £15bn question – are you still investing in instore expertise?
With the Golden Quarter in full swing and the risk of another lockdown receding, it feels like physical retailers can finally focus on the future and doing what they do best. Namely serving the varied interests and needs of our nation of shoppers. While the terminals are processing payments, amidst…
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22 NovemberHigh Street
Black Friday footfall set for comeback in 2021
A surge in shopping is forecast for Black Friday this year, with UK footfall set to increase by 7.9% between 21 and 27 November against the previous week, according to the latest figures from Springboard. The higher footfall is set to peak on Black Friday itself, with a predicted rise…
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