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 -9 NovemberComment
Post-pandemic future is looking bright for UK high Streets
Prior to the pandemic, there were concerns regarding the future of the high street. Now that social distancing restrictions have forced many hospitality and retail businesses to close their doors at least partially, these voices of concern have understandably amplified. And after the Autumn Budget announcement this week, these concerns…
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9 NovemberSupermarkets
Grocery sales fall 1.9% as shopper habits stabilise
Take home grocery sales fell by 1.9% over the 12 weeks to 31 October 2021- but are still higher than before the pandemic – up 7.3% compared with 2019, according to the latest figures from Kantar. Kantar said the results come as consumers’ shopping behaviour “is beginning to stabilise” and…
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9 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Primark plans global expansion despite sales slump
Primark has seen like-for-like sales fall by 12% in its latest full-year results, as ongoing store closures and trading restrictions “inevitably” led to a “significant” loss of sales and profit in the period. While its parent group, Associated British Foods (ABF), said there was “no doubt” that Primark was “seen…
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8 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Asos opens new £90m warehouse, creating 2,000 new jobs
Online fashion retailer, Asos, has announced the opening of its new £90m fulfilment centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire which will serve customers in the UK and in over 150 countries around the world. The facility at Fradley Park will employ 2,000 people over the next three years. It is being managed…
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5 NovemberFeatures
The journey so far: Disability provisions in the retail sector
Tesco, among other retailers, has recently implemented a ‘quiet hour’ scheme in a bid to improve its inclusivity. Measures such as the dimming of lights and reduction of noise are included in the retailer’s plan to make shopping a more ‘calming’ experience for minority groups. Although this is evidence of…
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5 NovemberCoronavirus
£1.2bn to be spent in West End this Christmas, says NWEC
Despite a “strong recovery in footfall”, West End retailers are facing a “challenging festive period” due to the continued absence of high spending international travellers, with the New West End Company predicting just £1.2bn being spent this Christmas. The latest figures from NWEC, which represents 600 retail, restaurant, hotel and…
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4 NovemberDepartment Stores
Harrods reports £68m loss as restaurant staff to vote on strike action
Luxury department store Harrods has reported a loss of £68m for the 52-week period ending 30 January 2021. According to its latest set of accounts published on Companies House, it comes after its gross transaction value decreased by 51% to £1.09bn and its turnover also fell by 50% to £429m…
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4 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Superdry welcomes strong Autumn trading
Superdry has welcomed an “encouraging” start to its Autumn trading season, with revenue up by 8.8% against last year in the eight weeks to 23 October, and by 17.2% against the same period in FY20. While the group welcomed an improvement in its retail channel performance across the eight-week period,…
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4 NovemberSupermarkets
Sainsbury’s returns to profitability in H1
Sainsbury’s has revealed it has returned to profitability in the 28 weeks to 18 September 2021. During the period, the group generated pre-tax profits of £541m compared with a previous year’s loss of £137m which the group attributed to “significantly lower” restructuring and impairment costs. Group revenue rose to £15.7bn…
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4 NovemberClothing & Shoes
JD expresses frustration over CMA’s ruling to sell Footasylum
JD Sports Fashion Plc has expressed its frustration after the announcement earlier today from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that it must sell Footasylum Limited. It claimed this is “the first time ever” that the CMA (including its predecessors) has decided to block or remedy a deal between competitors…
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