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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Jun- 2021 -25 JuneCoronavirus
Consumer confidence remains stable despite restrictions delay
Consumer confidence remained stable at -9 in June despite the government’s recent announcement to delay the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, according to GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index. The index revealed that although four measures were up in comparison to the 21 May announcement, one measure was down. The index measuring…
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24 JuneNews
Poundland owner revenues up 9% in H1
Pepco Group, the owner of Poundland, has welcomed a “positive trading performance” in its H1 results, reporting total revenue growth of 9%. Its trading stores saw a like-for-like growth of 5%, which was consistent with the past three years’ performance pre-pandemic. Group like-for-like sales fell by 2.1%, however, reflecting the…
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24 JuneAnalysis
In Zenners we trust: Why D2C makes sense for over-55s
Once dubbed Silver Surfers, and more commonly known as Baby Boomers, the UK’s army of over-55 consumers has been transformed from an e-commerce afterthought into an online shopping force. Driven by the pandemic to browse and buy digitally while stores were shuttered, this generation is now as au fait with…
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23 JuneDepartment Stores
John Lewis expands furniture rental services
John Lewis has announced that starting next month, it will be expanding its first furniture rental service, doubling the range to offer over 200 lines. The news follows the retailer’s successful trial last year and builds on the existing partnership with Fat Llama. The expanded range will offer over 200…
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23 JuneSupermarkets
Asda donates £30k to support Manchester apprenticeships
Asda has announced plans to donate £30k to small businesses across Manchester to help fund 60 apprenticeships in the area. The group is working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) who is helping distribute an initial £300,000 to local businesses. An apprenticeship levy is paid by large businesses and…
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21 JuneHigh Street
BPF slams gov’s commercial property rent moratorium extension
The British Property Federation (BPF) has come out against the government’s latest commercial property rent moratorium extension. Last week (16 June), the UK government announced a further extension of moratoriums on commercial property owners’ rights until March 2022. Legislation is set to be introduced later this session in parliament in…
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21 JuneCoronavirus Featured Content
Usdaw calls for £10 minimum wage to thank key workers
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary has said the “best way” to thank key workers is to ensure “fairness at work” – with the chief calling for a new deal for employees that includes a minimum wage of at least £10 per hour, more secure contracts and an end to youth…
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18 JuneHigh Street
Over a quarter of all UK payments now contactless
UK Finance, the trade association for the country’s banking and financial services sector, has revealed that more than a quarter of all UK payments are now contactless. The body’s 2021 Payment Markets Report revealed that the number of contactless payments made in the UK increased by 12% to 9.6 billion…
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18 JuneEntertainment
Waterstones FY20 revenues decline 4.3% to £376m
Waterstones has reported a 4.3% year-on-year decline in revenues to £376m for the 52 weeks ended 25 April 2020. The books retailer also saw a contraction in profits after tax, falling 8.3% from £22.7m in FY19 to £20.8m in FY20. For consecutive years, no dividend was paid or declared during…
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18 JuneEconomy
Return to restaurants sees retail sales fall by 1.4%
UK retail sales fell by 1.4% between April and May, following a sharp increase in April when retail restrictions were eased, according to data from the Office of National statistics (ONS). The largest contribution to the monthly decline came from grocery stores where sales volumes fell by 5.7% – the…
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