Retail news

• Amazon says it will hire 100,000 extra staff

  16-03-2020 23:09
  Ecommerce giant will also raise hourly wages as it tries to keep pace with coronavirus demand
  
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• Debenhams asks for rent holiday as shoppers shun streets due to coronavirus

  16-03-2020 20:55
  
  Footfall in shops down 31% on last year as concern over infection bitesCoronavirus - live updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageDebenhams has asked landlords for an immediate five-month rent holiday as the retail industry faces “unprecedented pressures” because of the coronavirus pandemic.The UK department store chain is already in the midst of a major financial restructuring process, and has closed 22 stores. Another 28 of its remaining 141 stores are expected to close next year. R
  
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• Debenhams asks for rent holiday as shoppers shun streets

  16-03-2020 20:55
  
  Footfall in shops down 31% on last year as concern over coronavirus infection bitesCoronavirus - live updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageDebenhams has asked landlords for an immediate five-month rent holiday as the retail industry faces “unprecedented pressures” because of the coronavirus pandemic.The UK department store chain is already in the midst of a major financial restructuring process, and has closed 22 stores. Another 28 of its remaining 141 stores are expected to close
  
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• Supermarkets and banks offer early slots for older customers

  16-03-2020 20:48
  
  Iceland will be opening its doors for the first two hours each day to the elderly and vulnerable onlyCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSome supermarkets and banks have decided to make special arrangements for elderly and vulnerable customers to gain exclusive early access to food and services, immediately after stores have been deep-cleaned and to avoid panic shopping, as part of the effort to keep the UK functioning smoothly during the coronavirus crisis.Iceland
  
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• British supermarkets and banks offer early slots for older customers

  16-03-2020 20:48
  
  Iceland will be opening its doors for the first two hours each day to the elderly and vulnerable onlyCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSome supermarkets and banks have decided to make special arrangements for elderly and vulnerable customers to gain exclusive early access to food and services, immediately after stores have been deep-cleaned and to avoid panic shopping, as part of the effort to keep the UK functioning smoothly during the coronavirus crisis.Iceland
  
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• ABF/Primark: popular beet combo

  16-03-2020 18:12
  Shares hit after group announces temporary closure of outlets in Europe, but it will survive
  
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• COMMENT: It’s time fashion retailers made the most of second-hand clothing

  16-03-2020 17:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  As part of the turn towards sustainable shopping, UK consumers are increasingly buying and selling pre-worn clothes. Fashion retailers entering this trending business area can treat the source of the second-hand clothes, the “consumer-seller”, as a kind of business partner, with mutual benefits in buying and selling. The retailer fashioning the best relationship with such hybrid partners can deepen the tie with more customers, thereby raising engagement and market share.
  Recent resea
  
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• Wren Kitchens named top retail employer while John Lewis falls flat

  16-03-2020 17:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Wren Kitchens rated the best retail employer to work for in the UK for the second year running
  // John Lewis & Partners which previously topped the list falls to 11th place following a difficult spell
  // HMV, which fell into administration just over a year ago, re-enters the rankings in fourth placeWren Kitchens has been rated the best retail employer to work for in the UK for the second year running, according to data released by Indeed.
  Humberside-based retailer Wren which manufactures
  
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• Parliamentary bill introduced for better protection of shop workers from abuse

  16-03-2020 17:09 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Alex Norris MP asks House of Commons to allocate time to create new legislation to protect shop workers
  // Follows an industry survey which revealed that incidents have increased to over 400 a day
  // Norris’ bill proposes to make certain offences of violence to be considered “aggravated” if they’re directed at shop floor staffA campaign is being stepped up for legislation to protect retail shop workers from rising levels of violence, abuse and assaults.
  Labour MP Alex
  
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• Grocery staff suffer abuse amid coronavirus panic buying

  16-03-2020 16:37 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Retailers report rise in abuse to staff amid coronavirus panic buying
  // The BRC said retailers are working with police to keep stores “running as smoothly as possible”
  // Yesterday, grocers called for calm from shoppers and urged them to be considerate and avoid stockpilingRetailers have reported a rise in abuse of staff amid coronavirus panic buying, despite supermarkets calling for calm from shoppers.
  It comes after a chaotic weekend for retailers, which saw their shelves empti
  
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• Debenhams asks landlords for five-month rent holiday

  16-03-2020 16:24
  Department store group cites likely impact of coronavirus on trading
  
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• Whitepaper: Luxury Retailers and Traffic Data

  16-03-2020 15:39 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Insights for seamless store experiences
  Luxury retail is undergoing a transformation.
  The physical store is shifting from transactional to experiential. In luxury retail, customers demand personalised experiences and outstanding service. High-spending shoppers expect the choice, convenience and assistance they receive in store to surpass what they would find elsewhere.
  Download our new ebook and discover how to:Improve customers’ shopping experience by optimising store navigation and servi
  
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• UK's sewage system in danger of gridlock from toilet paper substitutes

  16-03-2020 15:07
  
  Shortages amid coronavirus panic buying could cause wet wipe and kitchen roll fatbergsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageConsumers have been warned of the dangers of substituting kitchen roll and wet wipes for toilet paper which – if flushed down the loo – could overwhelm the UK’s sewers.Innocent consumer substitutions due to shortages caused by fears about the spread of coronovirus could create serious consequences which are critical to society a
  
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• Retail footfall took a nosedive in February

  16-03-2020 14:29 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // UK footfall fell by 2% year-on-year in February, according to the new BRC-ShopperTrak Footfall Monitor
  // This was significantly below recent 1.1% growth over the past three months
  // Shoppers shunned the retail sites in the face of storms Ciara & Dennis, with impact of coronavirus not registeringHigh streets and shopping centres saw a dive in footfall last month after the UK was hit by storms and wet weather, according to new figures.
  The new monthly BRC-ShopperTrak Footfall Monitor has
  
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• Primark shares suspended for an hour after coronavirus store closures

  16-03-2020 14:16 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Primark owner AB Foods’ shares plummeted from 1834p per share to 0.01p this morning
  // The incident is linked to a “fat finger” error, and shares were suspended for an hour before it came back at 1600p
  // Earlier. AB Foods said Primark was forced to close stores in mainland Europe amid the coronavirus outbreakShares in the parent company of Primark were suspended for an hour this morning, after it released a bruising report into the effects of coronavirus on its business.
  Th
  
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• European retailers shelve guidance as coronavirus hits

  16-03-2020 14:05
  Chains decline to give outlooks for the year as lockdowns and store closures spread
  
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• 226 jobs on the line as Halfords shut down Cycle Republic chain

  16-03-2020 13:41 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Halfords to close down all 22 Cycle Republic stores
  // The move would place 226 jobs at risk
  // The closures will cost the company between £25m-£35mHalfords has announced plans to shut down its Cycle Republic chain of stores, putting 226 jobs at risk.
  The retailer said it would shut all 22 outlets and its performance centre site in Evesham in a bid to focus on Tredz, its online cycling business.
  Halfrods said the closures are due to complete in the first half of the next financial
  
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• Primark warns of sales hit after coronavirus store closures

  16-03-2020 13:33
  
  Betting company Flutter talks of ‘unprecedented’ times and Kingfisher says sales will be hitCoronavirus - live updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK retailers Primark and Kingfisher have warned the coronavirus pandemic will hit sales after store closures in Europe, while the betting company Flutter issued a profit warning and warned of “unprecedented” times.The owner of the fashion chain Primark, Associated British Foods, said 72 stores accounting for 20% of selli
  
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• Primark and Kingfisher warn of sales hit after coronavirus closures

  16-03-2020 13:33
  
  Betting company Flutter talks of ‘unprecedented’ times and cautious shoppers steer clear of high streetCoronavirus - live updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageUK retailers Primark and Kingfisher have warned that the coronavirus pandemic will hit sales as store closures in Europe coincide with a sharp drop in the number of shoppers on Britain’s high streets in recent days. The owner of the fashion chain Primark, Associated British Foods, said 72 stores accounting for 20% of se
  
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• Coronavirus: Louis Vuitton owner to produce hand sanitisers

  16-03-2020 12:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // LVMH will begin manufacturing hand sanitisers in bid to prevent coronavirus
  // The gels will be delivered free of charge to the health authoritiesLouis Vuitton owner LVMH has announced it will start making hand sanitisers in a bid to prevent the coronavirus spread.
  It will use its perfume production lines to start making the hand sanitisers to tackle the shortage of the anti-viral products.
  “These gels will be delivered free of charge to the health authorities,” LVMH said on Sunda
  
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• H&M sales reach £5bn as it limits cash payments to prevent coronavirus

  16-03-2020 10:17 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // H&M strips cash payments as an “additional precaution” amid coronavirus outbreak
  // The retailer posted signs outside store windows to inform customersH&M has said it is limiting cash payments to certain tills as an “additional precaution” in a bid to minimise the risk of the coronavirus spread.
  The fast fashion retailer saw its second quarter sales take a hit due to the outbreak, despite group sales for the three months to February 29 reaching £5 billion
  
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• CHARGED: Amazon names new UK finance chief

  16-03-2020 10:13 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Change at the top for Amazon as its former Amazon European finance chief for fashion, Jeremy Martin, is named new UK finance chief.
  Martin replaces Jeff Stauber, who will move over to the online retailing giant’s Seattle offices to help develop its one-day shipping worldwide.
  READ MORE: Amazon’s new grocery stores to feature hidden robotic “microfulfillment” areas for online orders
  Martin has worked at the company for seven years, according to The Telegraph who reported t
  
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• Primark shuts European stores as coronavirus prompts revenue warning

  16-03-2020 09:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Primark stores shut in France, Italy, Spain and Austria due to the coronavirus outbreak
  // The retailer expects to witness a drop in like-for-like sales in the UKPrimark has shut stores in France, Italy, Spain and Austria due to the coronavirus outbreak, and now expects to to take a hit on earnings.
  The value fashion retailer said it also expects a fall in like-for-likes in the UK.
  The four countries to witness the store closures account for 20 per cent of Primark’s selling space.READ M
  
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• Primark shuts European stores as coronavirus prompts £190m revenue warning

  16-03-2020 09:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Primark stores shut in France, Italy, Spain and Austria due to the coronavirus outbreak
  // The retailer expects to witness a drop in like-for-like sales in the UKPrimark has shut stores in France, Italy, Spain and Austria due to the coronavirus outbreak, and now expects to to take a hit on earnings.
  The value fashion retailer said it also expects a fall in like-for-likes in the UK.
  The four countries to witness the store closures account for 20 per cent of Primark’s selling space.READ M
  
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• Primark owner warns coronavirus outbreak could hit UK revenue

  16-03-2020 09:33 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Primark stores shut in France, Italy, Spain and Austria due to the coronavirus outbreak
  // The retailer expects to witness a drop in like-for-like sales in the UKPrimark has shut stores in France, Italy, Spain and Austria due to the coronavirus outbreak, and now expects to to take a hit on earnings.
  The value fashion retailer said it also expects a fall in like-for-likes in the UK.
  The four countries to witness the store closures account for 20 per cent of Primark’s selling space.READ M
  
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• Coronavirus: Reiss investor postpones sale of business

  16-03-2020 09:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Reiss sale delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak
  // The delay to the sale process highlights the impact the coronavirus outbreak has had on retailReiss has reportedly said a potential sale of its business has been delayed thanks to the coronavirus outbreak.
  Investor Warburg Pincus postponed the upcoming auction of the fashion retailer ahead of closing its own offices and limiting business travel for employees, as COVID-19 continues to affect the retail sector, The Sunday Telegraph reported.
  
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• Online orders drive Kingfisher sales amid coronavirus outbreak

  16-03-2020 08:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Kingfisher sales rise 7.6%
  // The company experienced no impact on demand due to the coronavirus outbreak
  // Kingfisher shut 221 stores in France and 28 in SpainKingfisher has reported a sales rise and said its stock availability remains high despite the coronavirus outbreak.
  The group, which owns B&Q and Screwfix, said it experienced “no impact on demand from COVID-19” in the year to March 14.
  The company saw growth across all businesses within our core markets, driven primar
  
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• Kingfisher sales up as it shuts stores in France & Spain from coronavirus

  16-03-2020 08:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Kingfisher sales rise 7.6%
  // The company experienced no impact on demand due to the coronavirus outbreak
  // Kingfisher shut 221 stores in France and 28 in SpainKingfisher has reported a rise in sales and said its stock availability remains high despite the coronavirus outbreak.
  The group, which owns B&Q and Screwfix, said it experienced “no impact on demand from Covid-19” in the year to March 14.
  The company also saw growth across all businesses within our core markets, drive
  
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• My ‘weather resistant’ garden cupboard was damaged by wind

  16-03-2020 08:00
  
  Argos says cupboard could withstand most weathers but a door blew off within weeksI bought a supposedly weather resistant garden cupboard from Argos in January (for £100) and after less than five weeks the door broke in the wind. It was secured to a fence as recommended in the instructions and the doors held firmly with a reusable cable tie. Half of one of the front doors was blown off, breaking the flimsy plastic corners of the unit and making it unrepairable.I believe it was misdescribed
  
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• New bill aims to protect UK shop workers from soaring abuse

  16-03-2020 01:01
  
  Proposed legislation follows Co-op survey revealing four-fold increase in violent incidents since 2017Shop workers across the UK will be better protected from soaring levels of violence, verbal and physical abuse under proposed legislation to be put before the House of Commons.The private members’ bill says that because retail workers have been made responsible for effectively policing the law on the sale of age-restricted products such as alcohol, crossbows, knives and solvents – mo
  
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• ttec: How to win brand loyalty in an Age of Choice

  16-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Guest post from TRB event partner ttec It’s unquestionable that brand loyalty has suffered at a time when consumers have a multitude of product choices—but it’s... View Article
  
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• Sales of freezers and home office equipment surge as people prepare for potential social isolation

  16-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Sales of freezers and home office equipment have soared in the UK as people prepare for potential social isolation due to the coronavirus. In the week... View Article
  
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• Sales of freezers and home office equipment surge as people prepare for potential isolation

  16-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Sales of freezers and home office equipment have soared in the UK as people prepare for potential social isolation due to the coronavirus. In the week... View Article
  
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• Primark issues sales warning after stores close in Europe

  16-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Associated British Foods has said 20% of its Primark stores are now closed due to coronavirus and will only re-open when the governments of Italy, France,... View Article
  
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• Morrisons to move to making immediate payments to small suppliers

  16-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Morrisons supermarket chain is moving to make immediate payments to its smaller suppliers as it looks to help support their cashflow through the coronavirus pandemic.... View Article
  
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• Morrisons to move to making immediate payents to small suppliers

  16-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Morrisons supermarket chain is moving to make immediate payments to its smaller suppliers as it looks to help support their cashflow through the coronavirus pandemic.... View Article
  
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• Lidl to join line-up at Luton’s The Mall

  16-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Lidl is to open a new store at The Mall shopping centre in Luton. The supermarket will be moving into a 20,000 square foot unit that... View Article
  
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• Kohl’s teams up with Lands’ End

  16-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Kohl’s has embarked on a new partnership with Lands’ End where it will offer the casual clothing retailer’s entire range on its website. In addition, some... View Article
  
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• Halfords to close two cycling businesses

  16-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Halfords has announced that it is to close its Cycle Republic and Boardman Performance Centre cycling businesses following a strategic review. In a statement, the company said the... View Article
  
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• Food retailers urge the public to buy responsibly

  16-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  UK food retailers have come together through the British Retail Consortium to write a joint letter to reassure the public about the extra steps they are... View Article
  
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• UK shops ready next steps after call to end panic buying 

  16-03-2020 00:33
  Retailers warn stores and online deliveries are already running at maximum capacity
  
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