Retail news

• UK government helps supermarkets target deliveries to vulnerable shoppers

  25-03-2020 20:28
  
  Retailers accessing database and teaming up with taxi companies to ramp up ordersCoronavirus – latest updatesSupermarkets are being given access to a government database to help prioritise food deliveries for elderly and vulnerable shoppers who have been ordered to stay at home under the government’s coronavirus crackdown.With all the major grocers’ online delivery slots booked up weeks in advance, getting food to those self-isolating was top priority in a call between industry
  
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• Supermarkets use database to prioritise deliveries to elderly

  25-03-2020 20:28
  
  With delivery slots booked weeks in advance, supermarkets are also teaming up with taxi firmsCoronavirus – latest updatesSupermarkets are being given access to a government database to help prioritise food deliveries for elderly and vulnerable shoppers who have been ordered to stay at home under the government’s coronavirus crackdown.With all the major grocers’ online delivery slots booked up weeks in advance, getting food to those self-isolating was top priority in a call betw
  
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• Government helps supermarkets target deliveries to vulnerable shoppers

  25-03-2020 20:28
  
  Retailers accessing database and teaming up with taxi companies to ramp up ordersCoronavirus – latest updatesSupermarkets are being given access to a government database to help prioritise food deliveries for elderly and vulnerable shoppers who have been ordered to stay at home under the government’s coronavirus crackdown.With all the major grocers’ online delivery slots booked up weeks in advance, getting food to those self-isolating was top priority in a call between industry
  
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• Supermarkets buckle as demand from shoppers soars

  25-03-2020 19:38
  Customers urged to keep using stores as online delivery slots sell out
  
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• Primark withholds £33m rent on its closed UK stores

  25-03-2020 19:22
  
  The retailer has asked its landlords ‘to support us by agreeing terms’ to offset lost salesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coveragePrimark has refused to pay £33m in rent to its landlords following the closure of its UK stores due to the coronavirus outbreak.The payment, which was due on Wednesday, was meant to cover rent and service charges for two thirds of its 189 UK stores over the next three months. But Associated British Foods, which owns the fas
  
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• UK high street chains refuse to pay rent

  25-03-2020 19:21
  Primark and Burger King are among businesses asking for help to weather coronavirus storm
  
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• Shop shuts Belgian half over Covid-19 but keeps Dutch half open

  25-03-2020 18:44
  
  Clothing store on Belgium-Netherlands border takes unique approach to crisisCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe owners of a clothing store straddling the border between Belgium and the Netherlands have been forced to close half their shop and cordon it off to halt the spread of the coronavirus – while cheerfully keeping the part on Dutch territory open for business.The Zeeman store in the municipality of Baarle-Nassau, where the border splits streets in ha
  
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• Coronavirus: Superdrug to stay open “where necessary,” CEO says

  25-03-2020 18:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Superdrug to remain open “where necessary” during coronavirus pandemic
  // The retailer will operate on reduced hours
  // Till points and pharmacy counters have been installed with perspex screensSuperdrug has introduced new protective measurements to keep its colleagues and customers safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
  The health and beauty retailer said its stores will remain open where needed to serve the community, following the government’s recent announcement to shut d
  
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• Amazon and Flipkart suspend all services in India amid lockdown confusion

  25-03-2020 17:49
  New stay-at-home rule results in panicked grocery orders and restrictions on couriers
  
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• Book sales surge as self-isolating readers buy ‘bucket list’ novels

  25-03-2020 17:24
  
  Paperback fiction sales rose by 35% last week, with a notable interest in challenging classicsBook sales have leapt across the country as readers find they have extra time on their hands, with bookshops reporting a significant increase in sales of longer novels and classic fiction.In the week the UK’s biggest book chain, Waterstones, finally shut its stores after staff complained that they felt at risk from the coronavirus, its online sales were up by 400% week on week. It reported a &ldqu
  
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• Coronavirus: Sports Direct to “expect consequences” for defying rules, PM says

  25-03-2020 17:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // PM Boris Johnson warns Mike Ashley to “expect the consequences” if he flouts rules during coronavirus pandemic
  // Ashley recently took a U-turn on deciding to keep Frasers Group’s stores openBoris Johnson has warned Sports Direct founder and chief executive Mike Ashley to “expect the consequences” if he does not stick to the rules regarding his employees during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  Employees had been ordered to continue working at Ashley’s Frasers Group s
  
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• Coronavirus: These are the retailers helping NHS staff & the vulnerable

  25-03-2020 16:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Allbirds 
  The sustainable footwear retailer Allbirds is donating 2000 pairs of its wool running shoes to front line NHS staff for the next 24 hours.
  “It’s a small way of saying thank you and providing comfort for the long hours you’re putting in to keep us safe and healthy,” the footwear retailer said.
  Doctors, nurses and medical staff can claim free shoes from Allbirds.Hotel chocolate
  Hotel Chocolat is offering every NHS worker a 50 per cent discount on its products
  
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• SSP/travel food: hunger games

  25-03-2020 16:33
  New funds ensure survival for at least the next 6 months
  
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• Next offers 20% pay boost for staff to carry out online orders in stores

  25-03-2020 15:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Next offers 20% boost to basic pay for staff who turn up to stores to help with online orders
  // Worried staff question this as the government called for all non-essential workers to avoid unnecessary travel
  // Next stressed the new arrangements were completely voluntary and no-one was under any obligationNext is offering staff a 20 per cent boost to their pay if they turn up to stores to help with online orders, despite government orders for fashion shops to close during the coronavirus pand
  
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• UK pubs and breweries push to be allowed takeaway sales

  25-03-2020 15:14
  
  Pressure follows decision to declare off-licences essential during coronavirus lockdownCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBreweries and pubs are lobbying the government for blanket permission to launch takeaway alcohol services, after off-licences were designated “essential businesses” permitted to stay open during the coronavirus lockdown.Most brewery taprooms – and some pubs – can only sell drinks on the premises because they do not have a
  
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• Businesses ask for clarity amid confusion over UK lockdown

  25-03-2020 13:48
  
  Many firms unsure whether to stay open, as some employers force staff to keep workingCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government has been asked for urgent clarification about which companies will remain open during the coronavirus lockdown amid widespread confusion across Britain, as some employers force staff to keep working.Business groups and unions called on ministers to provide more specific guidance after Boris Johnson ordered the closure of all non-ess
  
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• Lidl rolls out food donation boxes to support local communities

  25-03-2020 13:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Lidl rolls out food donation boxes to support local communities during coronavirus pandemic
  // Food donation boxes will support vulnerable families and community groups via partner Neighbourly
  // Lidl so far donated over 5m meals to community projects through its food surplus redistribution networkLidl has started to roll out new customer food donation boxes in an bid to help local community members in need of food and supplies amid the coronavirus pandemic.
  The initiative, which will be avai
  
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• Tesco the latest to introduce new social distancing measures

  25-03-2020 13:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Tesco joins the likes of Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, M&S in setting out new social distancing measures across stores
  // This includes floor markings in car parks and at checkouts to maintain safe distances when queuing
  // Protective screens on checkouts and one-way aisles also introducedTesco chief executive Dave Lewis has written to customers setting out new measures to ensure social distancing for shoppers in the Big 4 grocer’s stores.
  Lewis said there would now be floo
  
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• Off-licences added to “essential” list that can stay open during lockdown

  25-03-2020 12:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Off-licences added to list of essential businesses that can stay open during lockdown
  // The vast majority of retailers were ordered to shut down, except for food retailers and convenience stores
  // Licensed shops selling alcohol made the updated list of stores exempted from mass closuresOff-licence retailers have been added to the government’s list of high street businesses that can remain open to help keep the country running during the coronavirus crisis.
  With pubs, bars, hair and be
  
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• Simba offers 50% discounts on mattresses for NHS & private healthcare workers

  25-03-2020 12:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Simba offers 50% mattress discounts for NHS & private healthcare workers amid Covid-19 pandemic
  // The retailer wants to help “the nation’s heroes get the rest they deserve”Sleep technology retailer Simba is offering a 50 per cent discount on mattress for all NHS and private healthcare workers.
  To “help the nation’s heroes get the rest they deserve” those eligible can receive their 50 per cent discount on Simba’s Hybrid® mattress until June 30
  
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• Ebay imposes “Emergency Listing Restrictions” to tackle price gougers

  25-03-2020 11:43 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Ebay is imposing “Emergency Listing Restrictions” to help tackle price gouging on its platform amid calls for online sellers to do more.
  The online marketplace informed its sellers this week that it will be bringing in these emergency selling restrictions on items including face masks, hand sanitisers and cleaning wipes and pads.
  From now on any sellers, whether they are a business or a private seller, must be approved by Ebay to sell these items, and any listings from unapproved par
  
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• Halfords to reopen some stores as firm gives essential service

  25-03-2020 11:42
  
  Car parts and bike retailer seeks balance between trading and safety during coronavirus crisisCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageHalfords is aiming to reopen some of its stores later this week after being designated an essential service under the government’s latest coronavirus control measures.The car parts, bike and servicing group said it was “seeking to strike a balance between providing essential motoring and cycling services to the UK public along
  
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• Halfords to reopen branches as bike shops given 'essential' status

  25-03-2020 11:42
  
  Car parts and bike retailer says it will balance trading and safety during coronavirus crisisCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageHalfords is aiming to reopen some of its stores this week after being designated as an essential service under the government’s latest coronavirus control measures.The car parts, bike and servicing group said it was “seeking to strike a balance between providing essential motoring and cycling services to the UK public alongside
  
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• Coronavirus: Sainsbury’s steps up support for suppliers & concessions

  25-03-2020 11:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Sainsbury’s says financing available to help suppliers manage production volumes & cash flow
  // Big 4 grocer will pay nearly 1500 smaller suppliers immediately to help mitigate impact of coronavirus pandemic
  // Concession partners and other property tenants will also offered change in payment termsSainsbury’s has become the latest grocer to announce measures that see it step up support for its suppliers and concessions amid ongoing uncertainty from the coronavirus crisis.
  The
  
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• Coronavirus: Fenwick suspends ecommerce operations

  25-03-2020 11:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Fenwick halts all online operations due to the Covid-19 crisis
  // The decision follows the PM.s announcement for tighter measures to prevent the spread of the virus
  Fenwick has temporarily halted its ecommerce operations due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
  The department store chain closed its retail stores across the UK last week but has now ceased all online operations as orders are picked up in its stores, not delivered.
  This comes after the Prime Minister ordered all shops selling &l
  
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• Amazon confirms 2 new COVID-19 cases in US logistics network as staff protests continue

  25-03-2020 10:58 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Amazon has been criticised for failing to shut its affected facilities after two more staff in the US were confirmed to have contracted the virus.
  Last week Amazon revealed that its first US employee had contracted COVID-19 at its delivery station in Queens, New York, and that it had temporarily closed the site for a deep clean while its workers were sent home with full pay.
  Now Amazon has confirmed two new cases of coronavirus at its sites in Michigan and Oklahoma but has taken the decision not
  
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• Coronavirus: Some Halfords stores remain open to “keep UK moving”

  25-03-2020 10:54 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Some Halfords stores to remain open despite the coronavirus pandemic
  // The retailer maintained its services are essential to “keep the UK moving”Halfords has said some of its stores will remain open amid the Covid-19 pandemic to “keep the UK moving”.
  Following the government’s move to close down all non-essential services earlier this week, most retailers have been forced to temporarily close their stores until further notice.
  The British retailer of car parts,
  
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• Thousands of shops may never re-open after coronavirus lockdown

  25-03-2020 10:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Experts warn that that thousands of shops may not re-open after the coronavirus lockdown
  // 20,600 shops expected to not re-open by the end of the year, according to new figures
  // This compares to the 4547 that closed in 2019Thousands of shops up and down the country may have closed their doors for the last time this week following the government’s coronavirus lockdown, experts have warned.
  According to new figures from the Centre for Retail Research, more than 20,600 stores are expect
  
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• Intu to cut service charge to support retailers amid Covid-19 chaos

  25-03-2020 10:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Intu to slash service charge for tenants during the coronavirus outbreak
  // The company’s cost savings will allow it lower the service charges
  // It welcomed the business rates holiday introduced last weekIntu has said it would cut service charge for its tenants by 22 per cent in the second half of 2020, in a bid to offer support to retailers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
  The shopping centre owner said its cost savings would allow it to lower its service charges, and would deliver an 1
  
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• Coronavirus: Asda & M&S latest to set new social distancing measures

  25-03-2020 10:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Asda & M&S present new measures to keep colleagues and customers safe
  // Asda has made hand sanitiser available in stores while M&S closed 31 clothing & home outletsAsda and Marks & Spencer have introduced new in-store initiatives in a bid to protect staff and customers during the coronavirus outbreak.
  The initiatives include limiting the number of customers allowed to enter stores at any one time and markers on the floor to ensure social distancing measures.
  Big 4 grocer
  
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• Off-licences added to essential businesses list during UK lockdown

  25-03-2020 09:59
  
  Other shops that sell alcohol, including within breweries, can stay open during Covid-19 crisisCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government has added off-licences and other shops licensed to sell alcohol, including those within breweries, to its list of “essential businesses” that can stay open during the coronavirus lockdown.The late addition of alcohol outlets to the list will be welcome news for many people stuck at home, with pubs and restauran
  
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• Off-licences added to essential businesses list by UK government

  25-03-2020 09:59
  
  Other shops that sell alcohol, including within breweries, can stay open during Covid-19 crisisCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government has added off-licences and other shops licensed to sell alcohol, including those within breweries, to its list of “essential businesses” that can stay open during the coronavirus lockdown.The late addition of alcohol outlets to the list will be welcome news for many people stuck at home, with pubs and restauran
  
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• DFS bosses take pay cut, suspends deliveries amid coronavirus pandemic

  25-03-2020 09:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // DFS reveals range of initiatives to address impact of store closures & business disruption due to Covid-19
  // This includes DFS leaders taking a pay cut and a suspension on deliveries
  // DFS is also cutting back on marketing and capital expenditure, pausing production, and seeking government aidDFS has revealed that senior directors will take a pay cut as part of measures to help the furniture retailer mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
  The retailer’s other me
  
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• New Look requests 3 month rent holiday

  25-03-2020 09:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // New Look requests three-month rent holiday from landlords
  // It also outlined other immediate actions to help navigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic
  // This includes reducing marketing costs, pausing all production & recruitment, delaying capex projectsNew Look has confirmed that it requested a three-month rent holiday from landlords amid measures to help the retailer navigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
  In a business update, the fashion retailer sai
  
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• Online marketplaces must clamp down on coronavirus profiteering: Which?

  25-03-2020 08:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Which? urges Amazon & eBay to clamp down harder on coronavirus profiteering by sellers
  // Which? said it had found overpricing of cleaning products, thermometers, baby formula and tampons
  // Sometimes prices were around 10x what shoppers would normally payAmazon and eBay are being urged to clamp down harder on coronavirus profiteering by sellers, after Which? found many staple household products being offered at inflated prices.
  The consumer lobby group said it had found overpricing of cl
  
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• Amazon and eBay failing to stop Covid-19 profiteers, says Which?

  25-03-2020 07:01
  
  Consumer group finds ‘consistent overpricing’ on hand sanitiser, thermometers and baby formula despite crackdownSee all our coronavirus coverageCoronavirus latest: at a glanceThe online shopping platforms eBay and Amazon Marketplace are failing to crackdown on a surge in profiteering by sellers due to the coronavirus, a consumer group has warned, after its investigation uncovered a wide range of products on sale at “extortionate” prices.Which? found “consistent over
  
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• 'People are so thankful': how delivery drivers became the new emergency service

  25-03-2020 07:00
  
  Just a month ago, they were deemed unskilled workers. Now they are essential in the fight to control coronavirus. But what is it like driving down increasingly deserted streets to make sure everyone – including elderly and vulnerable people – has what they need?Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageLast week, Bob (not his real name) clocked in for a shift at Tesco’s 185,000 sq metre (2m sq ft) depot in Livingston, Scotland. He loaded his HGV with 25
  
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• Lidl rolls out new customer food donation boxes

  25-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Lidl has begun rolling out new customer food donation boxes in its stores as it looks to help local community groups and people in need of... View Article
  
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• JD Sports closes stores and delays results release

  25-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  JD Sports has confirmed that all of its stores in the UK, US and Europe are now closed due to the coronavirus crisis. Although its online... View Article
  
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• Asda outlines social distancing measures

  25-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Asda is implementing a range of social distancing measures to help keep staff and customers stay two metres apart while visiting its shops. These include markers... View Article
  
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• Aldi to pay staff 10% bonus to store and distribution staff

  25-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Aldi is to pay its store and distribution staff a 10% bonus on hours worked as it looks to reward them following the coronavirus outbreak. It... View Article
  
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• Aldi introduces new measures to protect staff and customers during Covid-19 crisis

  25-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Aldi is introducing new in-store social distancing measures to protect staff and customers during the coronavirus crisis. The retailer has begun rolling out clear plastic screens... View Article
  
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