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 -16 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Boohoo warns higher return rates to impact FY22 profits
Boohoo has warned that “significantly” higher return rates will impact profits for the full-year ending 28 February 2022 making it “lower than previously guided”. In a recent trading update for the three months to 30 November 2021, the group said it now expects net sales growth for the full-year to…
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10 DecemberDIY
B&M to pay £250m to shareholders
B&M has announced that its board will pay out a total of £250m to shareholders after declaring a special dividend of 25.0p per share. It comes as the group welcomed a “strong” performance against pre-pandemic levels in its FY22 interim results on 11 November, with an ongoing evaluation of its…
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9 DecemberHigh Street
Frasers Group profits soar 75% in H1
Frasers Group has seen its pre-tax profit rocket 75% to £186m in its latest half-year results, largely driven by a strong reopening performance of stores post-lockdown and a continued growth in its online business. The group also cited ongoing operating efficiencies and the FY21 comparative period being hit by lockdowns…
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8 DecemberSupermarkets
McColl’s FY profit to be hit by supply chain issues
McColl’s has warned that profits could be between £20m and £22m in the full-year ended 28 November 2021, down from £29.1m in FY20, as the group blamed the impact of the pandemic and supply chain issues on its FY21 performance. In light of the disruption over the period, the retailer…
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7 DecemberAdvice
Retail trends 2022: What Brits want from retailers
Attest, a consumer research platform for the world’s biggest brands, today releases new data on the retail trends that are likely to shape 2022. The research is found within the second annual UK Consumer Trends report that tracks sentiment and behaviours ahead of the new year. Key findings include: Overall,…
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7 DecemberHigh Street
Consumer spending rises 16% in November
Consumer spending grew by 16% in November as early festive pursuits boosted retail, hospitality and leisure, according to the latest Barclaycard report. Spending on non-essential items saw its highest increase since before the pandemic at 17.7%. Meanwhile, spending on essential items rose by 12.5%, which was slightly less than in…
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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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