Retail news

• UK food service groups enlisted to help the vulnerable

  24-03-2020 21:06 via ft.com
  Scheme will prioritise deliveries to some of 1.5m people deemed in need
  
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• Food service groups enlisted to assist the vulnerable

  24-03-2020 21:06 via ft.com
  Scheme will prioritise deliveries to some of 1.5m people deemed in need
  
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• Supermarkets bring in new measures to keep shoppers and staff safe

  24-03-2020 20:08
  
  Stores will limit customer numbers and manage queues under latest coronavirus rulesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSupermarkets are racing to install measures to keep shoppers and staff at least 2 metres apart after the government called for an immediate increase in safety efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak.On Tuesday, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose confirmed they would begin limiting the number of shoppers in stores at any on
  
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• Sports Direct staff facing uncertain future after pressure forces store closures

  24-03-2020 19:47
  
  Workers on zero hours contracts at Mike Ashley’s chain will reportedly not be paid while stores closedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThousands of shopworkers are facing an uncertain future after Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct chain bowed to government pressure and closed all its stores.Ashley’s Frasers Group, which includes Sports Direct, had intended to remain open as other non-essential retailers closed, on the basis that selling sporting and f
  
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• Retailers launch hiring sprees as coronavirus spurs demand

  24-03-2020 19:16 via ft.com
  Groups such as Walmart and Amazon seek hundreds of thousands of workers
  
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• Grocers launch hiring sprees as coronavirus spurs demand

  24-03-2020 19:16 via ft.com
  Retailers such as Walmart and Amazon seek hundreds of thousands of workers
  
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• Brewers say failure to cancel beer duty threatens their survival

  24-03-2020 19:11
  
  Industry warns thousands of jobs at risk after chancellor refuses to freeze paymentsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBrewers have been dealt a “devastating” blow after the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, refused to cancel monthly beer duty payments, prompting warnings that thousands of jobs are at risk.Small breweries and trade bodies said the requirement for them to pay thousands of pounds in beer duty this month threatened their survival, given that off-li
  
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• UK bicycle shops and repairers see a surge in business

  24-03-2020 19:02
  
  People are aiming to avoid public transport and stay mobile during the coronavirus outbreak, bike shops reportCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBicycle retailers and repair shops have welcomed the chance to continue trading during the UK’s lockdown after the government labelled them an essential service alongside supermarkets and pharmacies.The bicycle industry has seen a surge in business in recent weeks, particularly for bicycle menders as people get old b
  
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• Aldi raises staff salary as it puts new coronavirus measures in place

  24-03-2020 18:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Aldi sets up plastic screens at 7000 checkouts to protect staff from coronavirus
  // The stores will also have floor markers to ensure customers stand 6ft away from eachother
  // Aldi has enhanced staff salary by 10% during this timeAldi has announced new measurements to protect colleagues and customers amid the coronavirus outbreak.
  The German discounter has installed clear plastic screens and floor markers at over 7000 checkouts to ensure customers are aware of the strict security measures.
  T
  
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• Sports Direct defends price increases

  24-03-2020 18:57 via ft.com
  Mike Ashley group raises cost of fitness gear after No 10 steps in on shutting shops
  
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• Coronavirus: Allbirds gives 2,000 free pairs of shoes to NHS front line workers

  24-03-2020 18:45 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Allbirds donates 2,000 pairs of shoes to front line NHS staff
  // NHS medical staff can claim the shoes, which are available on a first come first serve basisSustainable footwear retailer Allbirds is donating 2,000 pairs of its wool running shoes to front line NHS staff for the next 24 hours.
  Medical staff such as doctors and nurses can claim their free shoes for the next 24 hours by filling out this application form: bit.ly/BirdsForNHS.
  “It’s a small way of saying thank you a
  
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• Coronavirus: Boots closes all beauty & fragrance counters

  24-03-2020 18:28 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Boots has closed all beauty & fragrance counters to protect against coronavirus
  // Staff affected can switch to working in health & pharmacy departmentsBoots has closed its in-store beauty and fragrance counters as part of the government’s new measures to shut down all non-essential services.
  The health and beauty giant said it has encouraged affected staff to switch to working in its healthcare and pharmacy departments.
  Meanwhile, the majority of Boots’ opticians and hear
  
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• Coronavirus: Eve Sleep prepares for “subdued demand”

  24-03-2020 18:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Eve Sleep sees an 18% reduction in revenue and a 19% drop in gross profit
  // Operational KPIs at the retailer are all improving depsite the Covid-19 pandemicEve Sleep published its full-year financial results for the year ending 31 December 2019, posting a statutory loss of £12.1m however it saw an increase in its gross margin figures.
  The online bedding retailer reported that since mid-March, it has seen “some impact on traffic and consumer demand attributable to the fast changin
  
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• Oasis & Warehouse seeks new buyer amid coronavirus crisis

  24-03-2020 16:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Oasis & Warehouse owners draft in advisers from Deloitte to explore sale of of business
  // Kaupthing has reportedly conversations with potential buyers in the last few days
  // Follows orders that non-essential retailers must close stores as part of lockdown measures amid coronavirusOasis and Warehouse have reportedly started exploring a sale of the business as the coronavirus crisis prompted the government to order non-essential retailers to shut their doors for at least three weeks.
  Acco
  
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• UK retail: shutting up shop

  24-03-2020 16:04 via ft.com
  Clothes and household goods shops will be hard hit by coronavirus lockdown
  
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• Prada the latest fashion brand to make medical face masks

  24-03-2020 16:00
  
  From hospitals to hand sanitiser, a number of big names from continental fashion capitals are turning their efforts towards the fight against the coronavirus. Will the British industry follow suit?Prada is the latest big-name fashion brand to turn its production lines, usually focused on elegant blazers and blouses, to meet needs arising from the coronavirus crisis. Yesterday it said it would produce 110,000 masks by 6 April, while Gucci has said it will make more than 1m and Yves Saint Laurent
  
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• UK cash usage halves within days as shops close due to coronavirus

  24-03-2020 15:18
  
  Fears for those without bank cards as shoppers switch to contactless to avoid virus
  Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageCash usage in Britain has halved in the past few days, according to Link, which operates the UK’s biggest network of ATMs.The closure of shops, a shift to contactless payments, plus concerns that notes may harbour the virus has contributed to the dramatic decline.What do the new restrictions involve? Continue reading...
  
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• UK cash usage halves in few days

  24-03-2020 15:18
  
  Fears for those who don’t have bank cards as shoppers switch to contactless to avoid virus
  Cash usage in Britain has halved in the past few days, according to Link, which operates the UK’s biggest network of ATMs.The closure of shops, a shift to contactless payments, plus concerns that notes may harbour the virus has contributed to the dramatic decline in usage. Continue reading...
  
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• Contactless card payment limit to rise to £45 to stem spread of virus 

  24-03-2020 14:21 via ft.com
  Increasing the cap from £30 intended to reduce physical contact and queueing at checkouts
  
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• Coronavirus: McColl’s stores safe enough to stay open, CEO says

  24-03-2020 13:38 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // McColl’s stores are currently open across the UK during Covid-19 pandemic
  // The retailer said it is closely monitoring government adviceMcColl’s has put in place a range of policies designed to protect colleagues and customers to keep its stores open amid the coronavirus pandemic.
  The British convenience retailer said given the period of uncertainty and unprecedented disruption, its priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of its staff and customers.
  “We continue to clo
  
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• Lidl the latest grocer to install protection screens at checkouts

  24-03-2020 13:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Lidl to install cough & sneeze-proof checkout protection screens in all stores
  // Follows similar moves from Waitrose & Morrisons as shoppers swamp supermarkets amid the coronavirus pandemic
  // The screens protect staff and customers from droplets that pose a risk of transmitting the Covid-19 virusLidl has become the latest grocer to install cough and sneeze-proof checkout protection screens in the latest measure to protect staff and customers from the Covid-19 virus.
  The German disco
  
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• Mulberry “remains confident” despite Covid-19 impact

  24-03-2020 12:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Mulberry warns on Covid-19 impact
  // All stores in the UK closed
  // The retailer expects to make a loss in the second half of the financial yearMulberry has warned on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on trading as it expects to make a loss in the second half of the year ending March 28.
  All Mulberry stores in the UK closed on March 21, and international stores are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  The British luxury retailer expected to make a profit in the second half of the curr
  
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• Sports Direct will not open until ‘given go-ahead by government’

  24-03-2020 12:14 via ft.com
  Mike Ashley’s retail group makes U-turn after Westminster says it must adhere to closure order
  
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• Contactless limit raised to £45 to aid social distancing

  24-03-2020 12:11 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Contactless payment limits will rise from £30 to £45 from April 1 as the UK’s financial and retail sectors take measures to help limit contagion.
  UK Finance, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), Barclaycard and Mastercard all announced the measures this morning, which will see customers able to pay for goods up to £45 without entering their pin numbers.
  While the measures will officially come into effect on April 1, the groups have warned that it may take more time for th
  
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• UK supermarkets experienced 15m more visits in the past week

  24-03-2020 12:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // 15 million more shoppers visited supermarkets in the past week
  // Customers have been “accidentally” stockpiling amid coronavirus fears
  // Grocers took 51% of all retail salesNew research has found that an additional 15 million visits have been made to supermarkets as customers continued to stockpile amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
  In the week ending March 17, 15 million more customers shopped at grocers across the UK, with the average spend per supermarket trip increasing by 16 per c
  
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• Coronavirus: Waitrose unveils new measures to protect staff & customers

  24-03-2020 11:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Waitrose introduces new measures to protect customers and staff, including limiting customer numbers in shops
  // Other measures include “safe distance” floor signage, “two-metre marshalls” in queues, protective screens at checkouts
  // There will also be additional security and encouraging customers to do contactless shoppingWaitrose has new measures to help customers shop safely and to protect its staff amid the coronavirus pandemic, including new new checkout screens
  
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• Waitrose limits shopper numbers as physical-distancing measure

  24-03-2020 10:50
  
  Marshals will manage queues outside supermarkets as part of coronavirus restrictionsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWaitrose is to begin limiting the number of shoppers in its stores at any one time as part of efforts to ensure physical distancing is adhered to during the coronavirus outbreak.The supermarket chain said limits would be specific to each store and it was introducing marshals to manage queues outside shops.Related: Morrisons and Aldi to put up check
  
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• B&Q, JD Sports, Dunelm, ScS, Games Workshop confirm lockdown closures

  24-03-2020 10:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // B&Q, JD Sports, Dunelm, ScS and Games Workshop confirm store closures for lockdown
  // PM Boris Johnson said all non-essential shops must close for at least 3 weeks to combat spread of Covid-19B&Q, JD Sports, Dunelm, ScS and Games Workshop have all confirmed they will temporarily close their stores in response to the government-mandated lockdown announced last night.
  They join an already long list of retailers that voluntarily shut their doors before the lockdown was announced, includi
  
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• Mike Ashley's Sports Direct bows to pressure and closes stores

  24-03-2020 10:05
  
  Shops including Evans Cycles join coronavirus lockdown after staff were initially told reverseCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMike Ashley’s Sports Direct has bowed to pressure from the government and the public by closing all of its stores after widespread anger that he intended to flout the UK lockdown. Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, which includes Sports Direct and Evans Cycles, wrote to all of its staff on Monday within 30 minutes of Boris Johnson&r
  
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• Sports Direct & Evans Cycles backflip on staying open during lockdown

  24-03-2020 09:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Sports Direct & Evans Cycles will now close doors amid lockdown despite initially vowing to stay open
  // Last night, parent company Frasers Group said they provided essential service to help people stay healthy
  // Boris Johnson last night said all retailers selling non-essential products were to be closed for at least three weeksSports Direct and Evans Cycles have back flipped on a decision to keep their stores open during the lockdown, shortly after parent company Frasers Group was met w
  
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• Government orders all non-essential shops to close during coronavirus crisis

  24-03-2020 09:03 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // PM Boris Johnson orders immediate closure of all non-essential shops to deal with coronavirus pandemic
  // Food retailers and pharmacies are the only ones that can remain open
  // A series of retailers had already announce temporary closures before the government’s order to do soShops selling “non-essential” goods have been ordered to close as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced dramatic steps to combat the spread of Covid-19 last night.
  The draconian measures will be in pl
  
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• Waitrose launches new in-store social distancing measures

  24-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Waitrose supermarket chain has introduced a raft of new measures to help customers and staff social distance in its stores. From today, the retailer’s shops... View Article
  
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• Waitrose introduces new in-store social distancing measures

  24-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Waitrose supermarket chain has introduced a raft of new measures to help customers and staff social distance in its stores. From today, the retailer’s shops... View Article
  
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• McColl’s provides coronavirus update

  24-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The McColl’s convenience retailer has confirmed that all of its stores are remaining open throughout the coronavirus outbreak as it introduces a range of measures to... View Article
  
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• Dunelm gives coronavirus and trading update

  24-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Dunelm has said it had taken the decision to close its stores yesterday and offer contactless collection points for click and  collect orders instead. However, last... View Article
  
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• Boots to temporarily close beauty and fragrance counters

  24-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Boots has announced that staff working on its in-store beauty counters will not be required to go to work throughout the Covid-19 crisis, although they will... View Article
  
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• Sports Direct says it will stay open amid coronavirus lockdown

  24-03-2020 00:35
  
  Bosses wrote to staff within half an hour of Boris Johnson’s announcement to say it would stay open
  Bosses at Sports Direct have said all its stores will remain open despite the UK lockdown because selling sporting and fitness equipment makes the company a vital asset, according to an email seen by the PA news agency.Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, which includes Sports Direct and Evans Cycles, wrote to all its staff within 30 minutes of Boris Johnson’s decision to shut down all n
  
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