Productivity
This coverage explores productivity in the UK retail industry, focusing on workforce effectiveness, operational efficiency, process innovation, and cost control. Reporting provides insight into how retailers optimise resources and performance to remain competitive — supporting executives, managers, and professionals driving improvement initiatives.
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Jul- 2022 -29 JulyOnline & Digital
Amazon posts £1.6bn loss in Q2
Amazon has fallen to a net loss of $2.0bn (£1.6bn) in its second quarter, down from a profit of $7.8bn (£6.4bn) in the second quarter of 2021. This loss reportedly includes a pre-tax valuation loss of $3.9bn (£3.2bn) included in non-operating expenses from Amazon’s investment in Rivian Automotive, an electric…
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6 JulyComment
Local authorities urged to respond to small retail businesses’ demands for digital skills training
Small retail businesses around the country have a lack of understanding of digital marketing with business owners and employees simply not having the right tools and information to make the most of the social media revolution, according to a new study. The findings have been published in a new free…
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5 JulyEconomy
Customer complaints costing UK retail more than £9bn
Customer complaints have reached an all-time high which has cost businesses more than £9.24bn a month in staff hours, according to the Institute of Customer Service. The Institute of Customer Service’s Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) revealed that 17.3% of UK customers have experienced a product or service problem, the highest…
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May- 2022 -13 MayNews
Sharkninja moves to Battersea Power Station
Home appliance manufacturer SharkNinja has announced its acquisition of a new office space in Battersea Power Station. The new office adds to SharkNinja’s existing footprint in the UK and the company said it forms a “key part of the business’ continued expansion, with the workforce to consist entirely of product…
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12 MayEconomy
UK economy shrinks in March
The UK economy shrunk by 0.1% in March as consumers started to feel the bite of rising energy prices and the cost of living. The latest figures also come after a period of no growth in February. During the period, services fell by 0.2% on the month and was the…
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Mar- 2022 -24 MarchEconomy
Retail industry responds to ‘underwhelming’ Spring Statement
Both Bira and CBI have expressed disappointment in the chancellor’s Spring Statement, with Bira having declared it is “underwhelmed with the offerings for independent businesses”. In his speech yesterday, Rishi Sunak outlined a series of measures to help combat the rising cost of living in his latest spring statement, including…
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16 MarchNews
BRC calls for reform on Apprenticeship levy to create 8,000 new jobs
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has written to the secretary of state for education calling on the government to introduce an additional 8,000 apprenticeships across retail to the Apprenticeship Levy. It also revealed there are three main changes which could improve the functioning of the levy for businesses, allowing more…
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Feb- 2022 -21 FebruaryAdvice
Six ways retailers can handle labour shortages
The retail industry is challenged by labour shortages across the board, from delivery drivers to warehouse staff, store staff to IT specialists. And it’s a challenge faced everywhere from the UK to the US and Australia. The shortages can be traced back to a whole plethora of reasons – from…
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1 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Joules lowers profit forecast amid Covid and supply chain disruptions
Joules has reported its pre-tax profits fell to £2.6m in the six months ending 28 November 2021 (FY22), compared to £3.7m in FY21. The group announced that pre-tax profits for the full year is now expected to be £5m, down from the £10m to £12m previously forecast. Meanwhile, revenues hit…
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Oct- 2021 -14 OctoberHigh Street
Over 40 employee groups pen letter urging Sunak to cut business rates
The CBI, along with 41 trade associations spanning the UK economy, have issued a joint statement urging the chancellor Rishi Sunak to reform the business rates system and “unleash a wave of business investment across key government priorities, including net zero and levelling up”. The joint statement from businesses is…
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