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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Nov- 2021 -22 NovemberHigh Street
Bira launches new online marketplace Neartoo
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has announced the launch of it’s new online marketplace Neartoo. Neartoo aims to provide independent retailers with a new, “cost-effective” way to sell online, helping them build their presence both locally and nationally. The UK-wide platform open to all types of retail is owned…
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19 NovemberEconomy
Retail sales return to growth in October
October Retail sales volumes rose by 0.8%, according to the latest data by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Non-food stores also saw a rise in sales volumes by 4.2% during the period, with second-hand stores, toy stores and sports equipment stores growing by 6.2%. Meanwhile, clothing stores sales volumes…
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17 NovemberNews
Lidl becomes UK’s highest paying supermarket
Lidl GB has announced plans for its biggest ever investment into colleague wages, making it the highest paying supermarket in the UK. The supermarket revealed it is committed to investing £18m in wages, directly benefiting over 21,000 Lidl colleagues and over 80% of its workforce across Great Britain. Entry-level wages…
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15 NovemberDepartment Stores
Thai company eyes Selfridges buyout
Central Group, a Thai-based company which owns Rinascente, the Italian department store, is reportedly considering entering a multi-billion pound takeover bid for Selfridges, according to Sky News. The group, which is controlled by the Chirathivat family, is said to be one amongst a “number of parties” which have expressed an…
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12 NovemberHigh Street
B&M revenues hit £2.2bn despite ‘challenges’
B&M has revealed group revenues increased by 1.2% to £2.26bn – and up 26.8% on a two-year basis – during the 26-week period ending 30 September 2021. It said the performance comes as gross margin in its UK business was “particularly strong”, driven by a change in the sales mix…
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12 NovemberHigh Street
The Works sales remain strong despite supply chain woes
The Works has remained optimistic about its full-year results despite warning of ongoing supply chain issues and higher costs in the run-up to Christmas. It comes as the group welcomed stronger than expected trading in the first half of the year, reporting a two-year LFL sales increase of 14.5% and…
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11 NovemberHigh Street
WH Smith to return to profit as travel rebounds
WH Smith has welcomed a strong start to its financial year, assuring investors it is set to return to profit in 2022 as business and travel continues to rebound. Travel revenue now stands at 84% of the October 2019 level, following the continued easing of restrictions post-pandemic. The group said…
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11 NovemberEconomy
UK recovery slows to 1.3% in Q3
UK economic growth slowed to 1.3% in Q3, down from 5.5% in the second quarter of the year. According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the level of quarterly GDP is now 2.1% below where it was before the coronavirus pandemic at Quarter 4 (Oct…
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11 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Ted Baker sees H1 losses narrow to £25.3m
Ted Baker has revealed that its pre-tax losses have narrowed to £25.3m for the 28 weeks ended 14 August 2021 from £86.4m the previous year. The narrowing was boosted by “strong” retail sales with group revenue growing to £199.3m from £169.5m in 2020. Retail sales including e-commerce were up 10.4%…
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10 NovemberSupermarkets
M&S returns to profitability in H1
M&S has announced it has returned to profitability for the first half of the year ending 2 October 2021. During the period, the group saw pre-tax profits rise to £187.3m compared with losses of £87.6m the previous year. Statutory revenues also increased to £5.1bn from £4.09bn in 2020 and were…
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