Retail news

• UK supermarkets struggle to cope with surge in online orders

  13-03-2020 19:15
  
  Delivery slots not available for days with demand on par with Christmas periodCoronavirus – latest updatesOcado’s website and app crashed several times on Friday as supermarkets struggle to cope with a barrage of online orders from shoppers trying to avoid a trip to the shops.In some locations, those able to access Ocado’s site found it was not possible to get a delivery slot for a week. Other supermarkets have no slots for several days as fears of coronavirus infection have dr
  
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• The Guardian view on fast fashion: it can’t cost the earth | Editorial

  13-03-2020 18:31
  
  We need to rethink the idea that the hunger for new clothes ought to be sated immediatelyFashion operates on desire. How we dress feeds off cravings to be different as well as part of a tribe; to be en vogue but ahead of the pack. The message from the high street is that such wishes can be fulfilled, and fast fashion plays on the idea that hunger can be sated immediately. But to overcome such urges we need to reflect on the fragility of our planet. This means accepting that there is a better way
  
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• 2700 jobs at risk as Harveys and Bensons for Beds owner plots sale

  13-03-2020 16:17 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Harveys and Bensons for Beds up for sale
  // The move puts 2700 jobs at risk
  // Parent company Alteri Investors drafted in accountancy firm BDO to handle an auctionThe owner of Harveys and Bensons for Beds has reportedly put the furniture chains up for sale, putting the jobs of 2700 people at risk.
  Alteri Investors drafted in accountancy firm BDO to handle an auction, with funded takeover proposals required by the end of next week, Sky News reported.
  It is thought that Alteri was interested in
  
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• Retail Gazette Loves: The Royal Mail’s “special” Mother’s Day postbox

  13-03-2020 16:05 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  To mark Mother’s Day this year, Royal Mail has launched its first “special” parcel postbox in Swansea City Centre.
  Covered in floral designs, the postbox is located on Union Street and is decorated for the month of March before returning to its usual red colour.
  The postbox also features a verse from one of the first Mother’s Day cards sent in 1860.
  The Royal Mail has launched a ‘special’ Mother’s Day parcel postbox.
  “As families become more disper
  
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• Record Store Day postponed until June over coronavirus

  13-03-2020 15:06
  
  Independent retailer event says ‘there is no easy answer’ during pandemicRecord Store Day has been postponed until 20 June due to the coronavirus.The event, set up in 2008 to champion independent record stores, involves thousands of outlets around the world. It was originally scheduled for 18 April. A statement from organisers to the Guardian reads:We’ve taken all information to heart as we’ve gone over the various options that involved staying the course, moving the date
  
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• 100 Asos customer care centre jobs at risk of redundancy

  13-03-2020 15:04 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Asos begins consultation process with 100 customer care centre staff
  // The staff were informed of the proposed changes via email on Wednesday
  // The affected jobs are reportedly from the night shift teamsAsos has kicked off a consultation process with customer care centre staff as part of an ongoing restructuring scheme that places around 100 jobs at risk of redundancy.
  A source told Retail Gazette that staff were informed of the job cuts proposals via email on Wednesday morning.
  An Asos spo
  
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• Debenhams loses copyright battle to small business

  13-03-2020 14:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Debenhams drops “D” branding from designs after settling dispute with small business Daky
  // Daky first registered for a trademark over its design of ‘D’ when the business set up in 2015
  // The row was settled outside of courtDebenhams has had to ditch the lone letter “D” from its branding after a copyright dispute with a small business.
  The department store chain was caught up in a row with Bolton family business Daky – which sells waterproof socks a
  
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• London’s West End set for £1.7bn investment

  13-03-2020 14:25 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // London’s West End to set to see £1.7 billion of investment in 2020
  // International investment accounted to 59% of total transactions in 2019Property transactions across London’s West End have reached £350 million over the period November 2019-February 2020.
  This is a year-on-year increase of 62 per cent for the same period in 2018 to 2019, according to the latest data from New West End Company.
  The UK’s exit from the EU on January 31 and a decisive General
  
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• Morrisons speeds up payments to small suppliers because of coronavirus

  13-03-2020 13:32
  
  Firms who sell less than £1m of goods a year to supermarket will be paid within 48 hours Coronavirus – latest updatesMorrisons is to speed up payments to its smallest suppliers to help them with cash flow during the coronavirus outbreak.From next week, suppliers who sell less than £1m of goods a year to the supermarket will receive payments within 48 hours rather than the usual two-week window, benefiting about 3,000 small businesses – more than half of whom are farmers.
  
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• Hammerson shares plunge 34%, attracting short-sellers

  13-03-2020 13:16 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Hammerson now trading at 158p per share compared to 240p a month ago – a 34% drop
  // The number of its shares being acquired by short-sellers has risen to a record highHammerson has seen its shares drop by 34 per cent in the past month, along with the general stock market in recent weeks.
  The shopping centre owner is now trading at just over 158p a share, compared to 308p at the start of the year and 240p a month ago.
  Hammerson’s market value is now down to £1.21 billion.REA
  
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• Zalando HQ worker tests positive for coronavirus

  13-03-2020 13:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Zalando confirms the first positive case of the coronavirus at its HQ
  //  The retailer is identifying people who were in direct contact with the infected colleagueZalando has confirmed that one of its head office workers has tested positive for coronavirus and is self isolating at home.
  The online retailer said the first positive case of coronavirus involved a worker from its Berlin head office.
  “We are in continuous exchange with this person and wish them a smooth and quick recove
  
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• Leave 5p plastic bags at home to stop coronavirus spread, MP says

  13-03-2020 12:37 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Conservative MP George Eustice urges shoppers to leave bags for life at home to prevent coronavirus spread
  // Supermarkets have urged the government to waive the 5p carrier bag charge
  // The government is understood to be considering the ideaEnvironment Secretary George Eustice has reportedly said that consumers risk spreading the coronavirus by bringing their own reusable bags from home into stores – which could speed up numbers in the UK.
  The news comes as supermarkets urged the gover
  
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• Morrisons to immediately pay small suppliers amid coronavirus pandemic

  13-03-2020 12:20 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Morrisons to make immediate payments to smaller suppliers to help them during the coronavirus pandemic
  // Farmers, foodmakers & other small businesses will be paid early as they deal with impact
  // Morrisons also temporarily re-classifying a smaller supplier to those with £1 million of businessMorrisons is to set to make immediate payments for its smaller suppliers to help them during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
  The Big 4 grocer said the faster payments will support their cash
  
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• Rebel shareholder questions Moss Bros takeover deal

  13-03-2020 10:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Cavendish Asset Management questions Brigadier’s takeover bid for Moss Bros
  // It says it’s unwise due to the ongoing supply chain risk from coronavirus and potential loss in footfall
  // Cavendish Asset Management has a 5% stake in Moss Bros. The biggest shareholder has a 10.7% stakeOne of Moss Bros’ main shareholders has gone on the record to question a £22.6 million takeover bid for Moss Bros, citing a supply chain risk and loss in footfall from coronavirus.
  Nick Bur
  
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• Gap sales smash £4bn despite “challenging year”

  13-03-2020 09:52 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Gap sales rise 1% to £4.7 billion
  // However, comparable sales were down 1% during the period
  // Sales at Banana Republic and Old Navy remained flatGap has seen its fourth quarter net sales top £4 billion thanks to “improvement in Old Navy’s performance”.
  The fashion group’s sales rose by one per cent to £4.7 billion in the fourth quarter ended February 1.
  However, comparable sales were down one per cent during the period.READ MORE: Gap appoints
  
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• “I don’t think anybody needs to panic buy”: Tesco chair John Allan

  13-03-2020 09:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Don’t panic over coronavirus as food is plentiful, says Tesco chairman John Allan
  // Allan says Tesco can keep shelves stocked and withstand shopper hoarding as coronavirus fears induce panic buying
  // Earlier this week, former Sainsbury’s boss Justin King called on grocers to prepare for supply chain shortagesTesco chairman John Allan has said it can keep shelves stocked and withstand shopper hoarding as coronavirus fears induce panic buying.
  Speaking to BBC Radio, Allan said tha
  
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• Poundland owner delays flotation as FTSE 100 suffers worst day since 1987

  13-03-2020 09:19 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Steinhoff delays stock market flotation of Poundland amid stock market volatility triggered by coronavirus
  // The delay also comes after Poundland boss Andy Bond came down with an unrelated illness
  // Follows the worst day on record for the FTSE 100 since 1987Steinhoff has decided to hold off on a flotation for Poundland as the stock market endures its worst day in 33 years.
  Steinhoff postponed a potential sale or flotation of its Pepco Group business, which comprises 2000 stores across Europ
  
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• Gap Inc posts 1% increase in net sales

  13-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Gap Inc has reported that net sales rose by 1% to £4.7 billion in its fourth quarter. However, comparable sales were down 1% in the period.... View Article
  
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• Exclusive Webinar | Rethinking Retail: How to put customers at the heart of your strategy

  13-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  How can you optimise your in-store experience to accelerate sales? Discover the science behind purchasing behaviours, the ways you can increase your conversion, and as a... View Article
  
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• Debenhams teams up with Lucy Tiffney on homewares collection

  13-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Debenhams department store chain has partnered with designer Lucy Tiffney on a new homewares collection. The cook and dine range includes tea pots, plates and... View Article
  
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