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.
-
Oct- 2021 -20 OctoberNews
Matalan revenues up 2.6% despite supply chain issues
Matalan has revealed its revenues increased by 2.6% to £264.7m during the 13-week period ending 28 August 2021. The retailer reported revenue in the second quarter of £264.7m, up from £258m year on year, with pre-tax profits of £11m up from a loss of £24m for the same period of…
Read More » -
20 OctoberSupermarkets
Asda announces Christmas recruitment drive
Asda has announced it is recruiting 15,000 temporary colleagues for the festive season, and has confirmed the dates its festive home delivery slots go live. The supermarket is recruiting seasonal colleagues to fulfil a variety of different roles including serving customers, replenishing shelves, picking, packing and delivering online orders. Around…
Read More » -
19 OctoberNews
Very Group reports record revenues of £1.87bn
The Very Group has revealed its saw sales surge 24.9% for the 52-week period ending 30 June 2021, driving revenues up 18.2% to £1.87b. Very customers increased 12.4% to 3.82 million, “boosting” group customers by 7.6% to 4.82 million. The retailer also reported profits before tax of £81.7m, up 68.8%…
Read More » -
19 OctoberSupermarkets
Rising energy and fuel costs hits supermarket sales
Total Till grocery sales slowed to -0.7% in the last four weeks ending 9 October 2021, as UK shoppers begin to rebalance their spending habits amid growing concerns around rising energy and fuel costs, according to new data released by NielsenIQ. During the period, UK shoppers spent £11.8bn on groceries,…
Read More » -
19 OctoberLuxury Goods
Welsh brand Au Vodka tops list of UK’s fastest growing online companies
A world-leading Retail Operating System has curated a list of the 50 fastest growing e-commerce brands of the ‘pandemic era’, with Swansea-based luxury alcohol brand, Au Vodka, coming out on top. The list, titled the Lightning 50, tracked growth across brands to rank the UK’s 50 fastest growing e-commerce companies…
Read More » -
19 OctoberLuxury Goods
Au Vodka reveals gold standard for success after being crowned Winner in Brightpearl’s Lightning 50
Key facts Lightning 50 Overall Winner, plus Regional Winner in Wales and Winner in the Luxury Sector 10,000% YoY growth £5 million expected revenue in 2021 “We’re thrilled to have won not one but three titles in the Lightning 50” – Jordan Major, Head of e-Commerce, Au Vodka Endorsed by…
Read More » -
18 OctoberComment
Checkoutless Stores: The Future of Retail
Retailers have been significantly impacted by the pandemic. In 2020, total retail sales fell by 1.9% compared to 2019. Now that consumers are returning to stores, retailers must look to welcome them in new ways. Consumers now want a fast, easy, and convenient shopping experience. On average, a person spends…
Read More » -
18 OctoberDepartment Stores
The Weston Family in talks with QIA over £4bn Selfridges sale
Selfridges owners, the Weston Family, are reportedly in talks with the Qatar Investment Authority over a potential £4bn sale of the department store chain. The Mail On Sunday has reported that sources close to negotiations said that the sovereign wealth fund has moved to the front of the queue for…
Read More » -
15 OctoberHigh Street
Boots owner sees Q4 sales surge 12% to $34bn
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), the owner of Boots, has seen its sales for the Q4 period ending 31 August 2021 increase 12.8% to $34.3bn (£25bn). The UK high street brand itself saw comparable pharmacy sales increase 11.4% compared with the year-ago quarter, which it said reflected “stronger demand” for pharmacy…
Read More » -
13 OctoberClothing & Shoes
Shoe Zone revenues fall to £119m in FY21
Shoe Zone has announced that group revenue dropped slightly to £119.1m in the full-year ending 2 October 2021, down from £122.6m in 2020 and £162m in 2019. This decline was largely attributed to the effects of the pandemic, which saw its store estate closed for 16 weeks in the first…
Read More »
