Retail news

• JD Sports stops paying rent to landlords

  31-03-2020 20:42
  
  Sports fashion chain joins Primark in refusing to pay landlords during the government’s high street lockdownCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageJD Sports has become the latest store chain to stop paying rent to its landlords as the high street lockdown has a devastating impact on fashion retailers.JD confirmed that it had not paid the quarterly rent for its 390 UK stores which was due last week. The retailer is understood to be in discussions with its landlord
  
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• UK supermarkets ease coronavirus shopping restrictions

  31-03-2020 19:02
  
  Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons and Waitrose relax quantity curbs after decline in footfallCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSeveral supermarkets have loosened purchasing restrictions designed to prevent stockpiling during the coronavirus outbreak, as Tesco announced it could handle an extra 120,000 online orders per week.Aldi, Morrisons and Waitrose relaxed their policies on Tuesday, while Lidl removed quantity controls on all groceries except toilet paper. Continue readin
  
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• Why is Instacart making its contract workers risk their health to do their job? | Sarah Polito

  31-03-2020 18:13
  
  We who shop and deliver groceries to the app’s customers for meager wages we deserve to be issued with proper protection Coronavirus – latest US updatesCoronavirus – latest global updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThese days, simply leaving your home to buy food is a gamble. That’s why countless people are calling services like Instacart, which delivers groceries, to spare them a trip to the supermarket. I’ve been an Instacart worker for nearly two years in the
  
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• Kipling names Markus Hamm as new Europe boss

  31-03-2020 17:25 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // VF Corp names Markus Hamm as the new VP and GM for Kipling EMEA
  // He will be based in Antwerp and will report to Kipling’s global president Vera BreuerVF Corp has named Markus Hamm as the new vice president and general manager for its Kipling fascia in the EMEA region.
  Hamm first joined VF Corp in 2004 and has held various positions for the company’s Jansport and Eastpack brands, such as sales director, direct to consumer and strategic accounts director.
  Since January last year,
  
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• New Look announces Stuart MacKenzie as new board member

  31-03-2020 16:57 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // New Look appoints Stuart MacKenzie to its board of directors as a non-executive member
  // He replaces John Gnodde
  // Gnodde represented the interests of Brait, which owns a 18.5% stake in the businessNew Look has appointed Stuart MacKenzie to its board of directors as a non-executive member, replacing John Gnodde.
  As a board member, Gnodde represented the interests of South African company Brait, which has an 18.5 per cent stake in New Look.
  He first joined the the fashion retailer’s bo
  
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• UK minimum wage rise of 6% to go ahead despite coronavirus pay freeze call

  31-03-2020 16:47
  
  Pay for over-25s on national living wage rises to £8.72 per hour despite push to suspend increaseAlmost 3 million workers across Britain will receive a pay rise on Wednesday as the legal minimum wage rises more than 6%, despite calls for a delay to protect jobs as the coronavirus outbreak escalates.Amid mounting job losses and the country sinking into recession, pay for workers over the age of 25 on the national living wage will rise by 6.2%, from £8.21 to £8.72 in the biggest
  
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• Push to end low pay may have to be scrapped, UK government warned

  31-03-2020 16:47
  
  Low Pay Commission says cost of fighting coronavirus pandemic endangers flagship pledge to raise national living wage to £10.50 an hour The government has been warned it could be forced to abandon targets for ending low pay in Britain by raising the legal minimum wage, as the economic costs of Covid-19 mount. The Low Pay Commission, the independent body which advises ministers on legal wage floors, said the government target to increase the national living wage to two-thirds of average ear
  
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• Ikea opens coronavirus test centre for NHS workers

  31-03-2020 16:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // A coronavirus test centre for NHS staff opens at Ikea’s Wembley store in north-west London
  // The drive-through testing centre opened in the car park of the site
  // Ikea follows Boots in offering free testing kits to NHS staffIkea has become the latest retailer to step up support for NHS workers during the coronavirus pandemic by opening up a new test centre for medical staff on the frontline.
  A drive-through testing centre has opened in the car park of the furniture retailer’s st
  
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• UK food industry fears waste explosion as coronavirus strains supply chain 

  31-03-2020 16:33
  Surge in supermarket sales and shutdown of hospitality sector disrupts finely-tuned system
  
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• Matalan offers warehouse staff option to stay at home

  31-03-2020 16:18 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Matalan offers distribution centre staff the chance to stay at home due to the coronavirus pandemic
  // Their salaries would be covered under the government’s offer to pay 80% of wages
  // Follows concerns about workers gathering in large numbers at the siteMatalan is offering staff at its distribution centre the chance to stay at home and come under the government’s scheme for paying 80 per cent of salaries for workers on furlough.
  The fashion retailer said the move at its site in
  
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• Poundland to mothball one in 10 stores as shoppers heed coronavirus advice

  31-03-2020 15:59
  
  Order for people to stay home prompts bosses to shut close-together stores and furlough 250 staffPoundland is to mothball about one in 10 stores and lay off 250 head office staff as shoppers follow government advice and stay away from the high street.The no-frills chain said it will close stores where there are two shops near each other or where they are located in a shopping centre that has shut due to the lockdown. Continue reading...
  
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• COMMENT: Why Covid-19 doesn’t have to mean the end of indie retail

  31-03-2020 15:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  As retailers across the country temporarily close their physical stores and reduce their working hours due to coronavirus restrictions, now more than ever we must think creatively about how we can use this time wisely.
  Concern, panic and fear for the future are acute at the moment. The stark reality is that many small and independent businesses will be lost in the wake of this crisis – but not every independent retailer must meet this fate.
  The Chancellor’s latest measures aim to hel
  
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• Tesco expands click & collect to meet soaring demand; Aldi relaxes rations

  31-03-2020 15:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Tesco expands home delivery and click-and-collect services in response to surge in demand from coronavirus
  // Aldi says fresh fruit and vegetables and meat will no longer be rationed, but restrictions remain on other items
  // Tesco grows delivery and collection capacity to around 780,000 slots this week, adds more than 200 new vans, 2500 new drivers, 5000 new pickersTesco has expanded its home delivery and click-and-collect services after a surge in demand while Aldi has said it is relax
  
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• Explainer: How to turn data into better customer experience

  31-03-2020 15:04 via retailgazette.co.uk
  How to start turning data into a better customer experience
  Want to create loyalty, encourage repeat visits and drive more revenue?
  Focusing on customer experience is a no-brainer – and the more complete your understanding of your their behaviour, the more you can tailor their experience.
  But how do you get to know your customers better without getting in the way of their buying journey?
  Take a look at our explainer to find out how to get a complete, cross-channel view of your cu
  
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• For loyalty with the human touch, start with tech

  31-03-2020 15:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  So far, 2020 has been something of an emotional roller coaster. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, you’re not alone… and we’re still only a few months in. But if there’s one upside to all the uncertainty, it’s the way in which it’s encouraged us to connect, empathise and be kind. Learning to be more in touch with our emotions is a good lesson to take into the rest of the year – especially for retailers.
  According to Sephora’s VP of Loya
  
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• Record month for UK supermarkets as consumers spend extra £1.9bn

  31-03-2020 13:51
  Panic-buying shoppers pushed grocery sales up by a fifth ahead of coronavirus lockdown
  
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• Boris Johnson urged to lockdown non-essential workplaces

  31-03-2020 13:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Boris Johnson urged to introduce strict & enforceable closure of all non-essential workplaces
  // This includes non-essential retailers with warehouses & online delivery continuing to operate during lockdown
  // Several fashion retailers, such as Next & TK Maxx, have suspended their online servicesPrime Minister Boris Johnson has been urged to introduce strict and enforceable closure of all non-essential workplaces, such as fashion retailers with warehouses and online delivery servi
  
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• Consumer confidence weakens amid coronavirus fears

  31-03-2020 13:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Consumer confidence fell by two points to -9 in March
  // However, research took place in first 2 weeks of March, before government guidance to stay home
  // Lockdown expected to further deteriorate confidence as the coronavirus crisis bitesConsumer confidence fell by two points in March after three consecutive months of positive figures, and with lockdown now in full swing it’s expected to get worse.
  According to the latest data from GfK, UK consumer confidence fell to -9 last month, com
  
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• China’s retail market not set to recover fully until 2nd half of 2020

  31-03-2020 13:01 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  China’s retail sector is not due to fully recover for the coronavirus outbreak until the second half of 2020, according to experts.
  Savills China Retail has predicted that although shoppers are now gradually returning to retail outlets and shopping malls in the country’s most affected areas, a full recovery is still months away.
  China’s retail sector has largely been shut down since late January, and the rest of the world is looking towards the country for cues on how long the
  
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• WHSmith partners with Sainsbury’s to sell groceries in hospitals

  31-03-2020 12:47 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // WHSmith and Sainsbury’s extended supply partnership to hospitals amid Covid-19 outbreak
  // NHS staff will continue to have a 20% discount on all products including Sainsbury’s productsWHSmith and Sainsbury’s extends their supply partnership to hospitals to help support NHS staff amid the coronavirus outbreak.
  WHSmith will be stocking an extended range of Sainsbury’s grocery products to “support the needs of NHS staff and make it easier for them to buy food and es
  
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• Coronavirus: Oasis & Warehouse supplier payments delayed

  31-03-2020 12:28 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Oasis & Warehouse Group tells suppliers that payments will be delayed as a result of coronavirus pandemic
  // The group is continuing to operate online and has not cancelled ordersOasis and Warehouse have reportedly informed suppliers that payments will be delayed as a result of protecting the business amid the coronavirus outbreak.
  The fashion retail group has said it was still operating online and has not cancelled orders.
  However, it has not issued any statements as to when its sup
  
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• StockX says coronavirus has been “great for our business and growth”

  31-03-2020 11:56 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  StockX says the coronavirus has been “great for our business and growth” as shoppers are forced to turn online to make purchases.
  Scott Cutler, the sneaker start-up’s chief executive, said speaking at an online interview last week that the pandemic had not hit the brand’s margins.
  While almost all non-food retailers have been forced to shut their physical stores, online retailers like Amazon and Asos are now facing criticism for keeping their warehouses open and putting e
  
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• Coronavirus: Urban Outfitters invokes force majeure clause

  31-03-2020 11:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Urban Outfitters declines the delivery of goods on purchase orders & cancels all undelivered orders
  // Any products with freight forwarders will be discounted by 30%In a bid to protect the business amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Urban Outfitters has told suppliers it can no longer accept delivery of goods on orders, and will cancel all undelivered orders.
  Drapers reported that the fashion retailer also told creditors that any products with freight forwarders will be discounted by 30 per cent
  
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• Zalando adopts protective measures in response to Covid-19

  31-03-2020 10:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Zalando has asked the majority of its workforce to stay at home amid pandemic
  // It has put a range of protective and hygienic measures in placeZalando has released a statement concerning the security measures it will implement to protect both its business and staff throughout the coronavirus crisis.
  The majority of the online fashion retailer’s staff have been asked to work from home, and a range of protective and hygienic measures have been provided for those unable to do so.
  The
  
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• What Covid-19 means for retailers & their commerce strategies

  31-03-2020 10:54 via retailgazette.co.uk
  In the coming weeks and months, retailers will need to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and lean into “a new normal”. Across the globe, retailers are closing their doors in a bid to protect their employees, communities and customers. Online sales have already increased 52 per cent compared to the same period last year – and we can expect more disruption to come.
  Retailers are becoming more reliant on their digital commerce strategies by the day, to make it through this time. Am
  
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• Beales’ suppliers, staff & landlords owed £17.6m

  31-03-2020 10:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Beales’ unsecured creditors are owed around £17.6m, according to a report from administrators
  // The unsecured creditors includes suppliers, fashion concessions, staff and landlords
  // They’re expected to receive a dividend but KPMG was “not yet able to confirm the quantum or timing of any distribution”A report from administrators at KPMG has shown that Beales’ unsecured creditors are owed around £17.6 million.
  KPMG said unsecured creditors – wh
  
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• Brits splashed out extra £1.9bn on stockpiling groceries

  31-03-2020 09:55 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Britons spent almost £2bn on stocking up groceries ahead of lockdown
  // An additional 79m shopping trips were made to supermarkets during MarchNew research has shown that Brits have spent at extra £1.9 billion on stockpiling groceries in the run-up to the coronavirus lockdown.
  In the four weeks to March 21, grocers saw an additional 79 million shopping trips as consumers scurried to find essentials, Nielsen reported.
  According to Kantar, March was the biggest on record for UK
  
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• Coronavirus: Poundland shuts 32 stores

  31-03-2020 09:19 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Poundland shuts 32 stores temporarily due to coronavirus
  // The discount retailer has outlined specific reasons for the closures
  // Affected staff to receive 80% of average earnings in line with government’s Jobs Retention SchemePoundland has temporarily closed 32 of its stores amid the coronavirus crisis, and said affected staff will receive 80 per cent of average earnings in line with the government’s Jobs Retention Scheme.
  Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw said it had been i
  
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• Britons made 80m extra grocery shops in less than a month

  31-03-2020 09:00
  
  Between 24 February and 21 March, UK shoppers spent an extra £2bn on food and drinkCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBritons made nearly 80m extra grocery shopping trips in the last four weeks than over the same period last year – spending nearly £2bn more on food and drink – as they rushed to stockpile amid fears about coronavirus.New data published today by market analysts Nielsen shows that total till sales at the UK’s supermarkets
  
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• Coronavirus: M&S launches online “food boxes” for vulnerable customers

  31-03-2020 08:39 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // M&S has released food boxes packed with essentials to support vulnerable customers unable to pop into stores
  // The boxes are filled with staple productsMarks & Spencer has launched new online “food boxes” to help vulnerable customers find kitchen essentials amid the coronavirus pandemic.
  M&S said it will give priority to customers over 70 (identified via Sparks) who may be finding it more challenging to buy essentials.
  The boxes are filled with over 20 kitchen an
  
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• Amazon auditions to be ‘the new Red Cross’ in Covid-19 crisis | Free to read

  31-03-2020 06:00
  
  The group could be a hero if deliveries remain on track but will be criticised if workers have to take health risks
  
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• Amazon auditions to be ‘the new Red Cross’ in Covid-19 crisis

  31-03-2020 06:00
  
  The group could be a hero if deliveries remain on track but will be criticised if workers have to take health risks
  
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• Amazon auditions to be ‘new Red Cross’ for the crisis

  31-03-2020 06:00
  
  This could be the group’s finest hour but there are concerns about workers being put at risk
  
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• Zalando outlines coronavirus crisis measures

  31-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Online fashion retailer Zalando has given an update on the steps it is taking to protect both its business and staff throughout the coronavirus crisis. While... View Article
  
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• The Original Bed Co. enters German market

  31-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Original Bed Co. has expanded into Germany with the launch of a website in the country. The move has enabled German customers to have beds... View Article
  
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• Report suggests surge in burglaries at retail and other commercial premises

  31-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  A new study has found that police forces across the UK have been forced to carry out extra night patrols in emp­ty town cen­tres as bur­glars... View Article
  
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• Poundland temporarily closes 32 stores

  31-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Poundland has temporarily closed 32 of its stores due to the coronavirus crisis. Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw said it had been told by the discount retailer... View Article
  
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• New staff screening  service vital to protect UK

  31-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  A leading UK intelligence provider is calling on food and drink businesses to tighten up employee screening procedures to protect their operations from a potential enemy... View Article
  
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• Covid-19 crisis: Aldi eases product purchase limits

  31-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Aldi has eased most of the temporary purchase limits it has placed on products due to the coronavirus crisis. From 31 March, the only products with... View Article
  
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• Atheon Analytics to supply SKUtrak platform to Morrisons so it can provide operational data to suppliers

  31-03-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Suppliers will benefit from improved Morrisons Supplier Database providing more data that will help improve availability and waste. Atheon Analytics is to supply its SKUtrak platform... View Article
  
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