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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Jul- 2021 -26 JulyHigh Street
Pepco to create 13,000 European jobs
Pepco Group, the owner of discount retailers Poundland and Dealz, has revealed plans to add 13,000 staff members across its European operations over the next three years. Andy Bond, chief executive at the group, told Reuters that the majority of jobs would come on the continent as Pepco looks to…
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23 JulyHigh Street
Consumer confidence surpasses pre-pandemic levels
Consumer confidence increased to -7 this month, according to GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index, which is ahead of pre-pandemic levels previously reported. The index measuring changes in personal finances over the last year was -1, an increase of three points against July 2020, while the forecast for personal finances over the…
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22 JulyHigh Street
17,000 high street stores could open this year, says Barclays
Some 17,000 local high street stores could open within the next 12 months, as customers reportedly “adapt to a post-lockdown world by looking local”, according to Barclays Corporate Banking. Its research found that consumers have returned to physical stores with “confidence” since restrictions began to ease. Some 68% say they…
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21 JulySupermarkets
Aldi to donate over a million meals during summer holidays
Aldi has revealed that it will be supporting charities throughout the UK by donating more than one million meals to people in need during the summer school holidays. The supermarket is pairing its stores up with local charities, community groups and food banks to donate surplus food, with more than…
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21 JulyDIY
Wickes sales surpass pre-pandemic levels in H1
Wickes has revealed that sales have once again surpassed pre-pandemic levels following a strong half-year of trading, as the group reported a two-year sales growth of 22.4% in H1. Meanwhile, like-for-like growth for the 26 weeks to 26 June 2021 rose by 33.1% year-on-year. Since reopening, ordered sales have grown…
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21 JulyOnline & Digital
MySale returns to profitability in FY21
Online retailer MySale has welcomed a period of ‘excellent progress’ in the full-year ended 30 June 2021, returning to profitability with underlying EBITDA ahead of market expectations at A$4.2m (£2.3m), A$6.9m (£3.7m) from the A$2.7m (£1.4m) loss in FY20. While core revenue rose by 14%, group total revenue fell by…
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21 JulyEntertainment
HMV to open 10 high street sites
HMV, the music and entertainment retailer, reportedly intends to launch 10 new shops across the UK this year. According to the BBC, the plans include the opening of a new London flagship site, following the closure of its former Oxford Street flagship as the group collapsed into administration over two…
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20 JulyHigh Street
The Works welcomes ‘resilient’ FY performance despite sales hit
The Works has announced that total revenue fell by 19.7% to £180.7m in the year ended 2 May 2021, down from £225m the year before, as the group was affected by ongoing store closures amid the national lockdowns. Nonetheless, the group said it welcomed a “resilient” performance, with store like-for-like…
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20 JulySupply Chain
Bestway FY20 profits soar 82% to £38m
Bestway Wholesale Group has reported a year-on-year rise in EBITDA of 81.8% in FY20, up from £20.8m to £37.9m. Revenues at the owner of Bestway Wholesale, Bestway Retail, Bestway Northern, Bestway Property, and MAP, also increased, but at a slower rate of 1.4% year-on-year to £2.55bn. The year to June…
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19 JulyClothing & Shoes
Puma profits hit £93m in Q2
Puma has reported that its profits hit €109m (£93m) in its second quarter of trading, up from a previous loss of €115m (£98) in 2020. The group noted that the increase was predominantly due to a range of new product launches, with “high sell-throughs” and strong growth across all regions,…
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