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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Aug- 2021 -25 AugustHR
UK must follow Scottish example to protect retail workers, says BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has called upon the UK Government to follow Scottish Parliament in implementing legislation that will better protect retail workers. The new Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) Act 2021 was unanimously passed in Holyrood, and came into effect on 24 August. Its…
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23 AugustElectrical
Currys PC World launches new flexible mobile offering
Currys PC World has announced the launch of its new mobile offering shopping experience, which aims at allowing customers to “take control” when purchasing a mobile plan, device, and accessories. The new offer is rooted in enabling customers to create a flexible approach to mobile ownership, with consumers able to…
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23 AugustEconomy
UK rejects industry demand for EU truck driver visa
The government has reportedly rejected calls to install temporary visas which would allow HGV drivers from the EU to help alleviate the current shortfall of drivers in the UK. According to the Financial Times, ministers rejected the idea put forward by two industry bodies but have backed calls to increase…
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23 AugustClothing & Shoes
Gerry Weber appoints first female CEO
Gerry Weber has announced that it has appointed its first female CEO Angelika Schindler-Obenhaus to the group. Schindler-Obenhaus succeeds Alexander Gedat who took over the role on an interim basis in February 2020. She has been a member of the managing board since August 2020 and now forms a dual…
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23 AugustClothing & Shoes
Asos hunts for fifth warehouse to improve delivery capacity
Asos is reportedly planning to open a fifth warehouse in continental Europe in a bid to improve its home delivery capacity, according to The Telegraph. The online giant is said to have told investors of the plan this month, and is reportedly in the “early planning stages” of setting up…
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20 AugustSupermarkets
M&S ups full-year guidance as revenues rise 10%
Marks and Spencer has seen an upturn in its profit outlook during the 19 weeks up to 14 August, and now predicts an adjusted profit before tax for the year to be above the upper end of previous guidance of £300-350m. The retailer said it comes as food revenues increased…
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20 AugustHigh Street
Retail sales growth slows in July
Retail sales volumes fell by 2.5% between June and July 2021, as rainy weather and last month’s ‘pingdemic’ dampened demand from consumers. Nonetheless, sales were still up by 5.2% in the three months to July against the previous three months, and 5.8% higher than their pre-pandemic February 2020 levels, according…
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19 AugustOnline & Digital
Global Fashion Group sees profits soar to €183.7m
Global Fashion Group (GFG), the owner of ecommerce platforms such as The Iconic and Zalora has reported gross profits of €183.7m (£156.5m) in the second quarter of 2021, due to easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Revenues at the group rose to 18% year on year to €397.3m (£338.5m) compared to €336.1m…
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19 AugustDepartment Stores
John Lewis to launch ISA accounts for customers
John Lewis has announced that it is set to launch savings accounts for customers through a new partnership with digital wealth manager Nutmeg. The three new ISA products reportedly aim to “help those who otherwise would not consider investing”, and mark the latest products to be introduced to the group’s…
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18 AugustFeatures
The pandemic hasn’t killed footfall analysis
The global pandemic and rising e-commerce seem intrinsically linked, with Covid-19 billed as the virus that inadvertently killed our already ailing high streets. Surely, then, as retailers shift their efforts online footfall analysis is becoming an increasingly irrelevant way to analyse British businesses’ operations both physically and digitally? Well, perhaps…
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