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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May- 2021 -20 MayDIY
Kingfisher raises guidance as Q1 sales soar 60%
Kingfisher has increased its profit forecast for the year after total sales for the first quarter of 2021 came to £3.44bn, resulting in a 60% year-on-year increase. The B&Q parent company saw like-for-like sales grow by 64.2% over the period compared to last year and posted a 22.5% rise when…
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19 MayAnalysis
The Great Covid Experiment – Is the Pure-play Retailer Dead?
A year of enforced change in buying habits where pretty much everything went online is set to revert to “the new normal”. Yes, the Covid pandemic accelerated the shift to online; but is the future of retail really digital only? While in the short to medium term, there will remain…
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19 MayEconomy
UK inflation rate doubles for April
The UK’s annual inflation rate has more than doubled in April 2021, according to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This represents a rise of 1.5% for the month from 0.7% in March, with an increase in energy and clothing costs driving prices higher. Furthermore, this has…
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18 MayClothing & Shoes
Shoe Zone reports £2.6m loss as revenues fall 40%
Shoe retailer Shoe Zone has reported a loss before tax of £2.6m for the six month period ending 3 April. The retailer attributed the loss to “tighter cost controls and an increase in digital”. It comes as it also saw revenues for the period plunge over 40% to £40.4m. As…
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18 MayCoronavirus
Landsec swings to £1.39bn loss amid pandemic
Land Securities has fallen to a pre-tax loss of £1.39bn in the full-year ended 31 March, 2021, in results that “clearly reflect the challenges” of the pandemic over the period. As the vast majority of its portfolio was either closed or “substantially unoccupied” amid ongoing lockdowns, revenue plummeted 39.4% to…
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18 MayAdvice
Why retailers must invest beyond the buy button
Over the past 12 months, retailers have turbocharged their shift to digital. A recent survey by KPMG showed that 67% of decision-makers have accelerated their digital strategies because of Covid-19. These changes come in response to the ever-changing needs of consumers, which have proved harder to predict than ever before.…
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18 MayShopping Centres
Westfield owner confirms €1.25bn bond placement
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, the owner of Westfield shopping centres, has announced a successful €1.25bn (£1.07bn) bond placement. The two-tranche senior bond offering is intended to both strengthen the group’s liquidity position and extend its debt maturity. The placement features a €650m (£559m) bond with a seven-year and five-month maturity and a 0.75%…
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17 MayDepartment Stores
Debenhams’ remaining stores close for final time
Debenhams shuttered its last remaining stores over the weekend, ending its 243-year stint on the UK high street. According to Sky News, the retailer closed its remaining 28 stores on Saturday 15 May as it completed its transition as an online only retailer as part of the Boohoo Group. It…
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17 MayCoronavirus
UK to spend £2.5bn this week as restrictions ease
The UK is set to collectively spend £2.5bn this week as indoor hospitality reopens and restrictions further ease, giving a “much-needed” boost to the high street. According to a new VoucherCodes.co.uk report, conducted by the Centre for Retail Research (CRR), 104 million people are predicted to visit hospitality venues this…
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14 MayAnalysis
The return to the high street: friend or foe?
With our clocks adjusted to British Summer Time and Government guidelines easing off shopping restrictions for non-essential shopping, the return to the high street is back in swing. However, with non-essential shops implementing social distancing measures to ensure they remain as safe as they can be, the handling of stock…
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