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 -27 AugustGovernment
Contactless limit to hit £100 in October
The Government is set to raise the contactless card spending limit from £45 to £100 from 15 October 2021. Initial plans for the change were first announced in March’s budget announcement, and follow the increase from £30 to its current level at the start of the pandemic. The decision has…
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27 AugustDepartment Stores
Number of UK department stores falls 83% in five years
The number of department stores in the UK has plummeted 83% since the collapse of BHS in 2016. According to the BBC, this underlines the “upheaval” of the high street following changes to shopping habits that have been accelerated by the pandemic. The latest figure comes from new research by…
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27 AugustSupermarkets
EG Group revenues soar 57.7% in Q2
Blackburn-based retail giant EG Group saw total revenues soar 57.7% year-on-year to $6.51bn (£4.75m) in Q2 FY21. The new Asda owner also reported a 23.7% growth in group EBITDA, up from $307m (£224m) in Q2 FY20 to $380m (£277m) this year. The Issa brothers’ global company continued to gain the…
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26 AugustLuxury Goods
Watches of Switzerland secures new CFO
Watches of Switzerland has announced the appointment of William Floydd as its newest CFO. He will succeed Anders Romberg who recently informed the board of his intention to retire after seven years in the role. Floydd will join the company from The Rank Group where he has held the role…
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26 AugustSupply Chain
Supermarket leaders warn of Christmas supply shortages
Supermarket leaders from across the UK have warned of supply chain issues over the Christmas period due to the ongoing shortage of HGV drivers. Richard Walker, executive chairman at Iceland, told the BBC that he estimated the UK’s shortage of lorry drivers to now be 100,000, with the group 100…
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25 AugustSupermarkets
Central England Co-op backs Usdaw anti-abuse campaign
Central England Co-op has backed a campaign by The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw), “Freedom From Fear” which encourages customers to treat its staff with respect. Customers will be able to find out more about the campaign via posters in stores, which include details of how to…
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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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