Retail news

• Amazon: pay fray 

  03-04-2020 18:30 via ft.com
  ‘Essential workers’ who provide deliveries are some of the US’s lowest paid
  
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• UK retail footfall down 85% over two months, Google data reveals

  03-04-2020 18:22
  
  Visits in some areas come to almost complete halt as coronavirus lockdown hits Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageFootfall at British retailers is down 85% over the past two months, according to location data gathered by Google, with some areas effectively coming to a complete halt as the government’s lockdown hits.Visits to retail and recreation establishments in Rutland, Britain’s smallest county, were down 100% compared with the pre-February baseline
  
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• 'Why are people buying boob tubes': fashion workers' anger at owners and consumers

  03-04-2020 18:10
  
  Warehouse staff at Pretty Little Thing and Boo Hoo say they cannot observe distancing rulesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWarehouse workers for the fast fashion brands Pretty Little Thing and Boo Hoo are begging consumers to stop ordering non-essential items such as £6 boob tubes and £8 false eyelashes after orders at one depot more than tripled in a week.Morale is said to be “rock bottom” at Pretty Little Thing’s fulfilment centre
  
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• Waitrose apologises after elderly struggle to secure delivery slots

  03-04-2020 18:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Waitrose increases number of home delivery slots dedicated for vulnerable customers by 50%
  // Follows a swathe of complaints from vulnerable customers unable to book a slot online
  // Waitrose said that this week alone, 50% of its online orders were going to elderly or vulnerable customersWaitrose has confirmed that it has increased the number of online delivery slots dedicated for vulnerable customers by 50 per cent after the grocer was swamped with complaints.
  The upmarket grocer also said t
  
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• Sainsbury's bans couples from stores but eases buying limits

  03-04-2020 17:55
  
  Retailer introduces one adult per household rule as stock returns to normal levelsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSainsbury’s is banning couples from its stores as part of efforts to enforce social distancing.The retailer said a one adult per household rule was intended to help keep customers and store workers better protected from the highly contagious coronavirus. Continue reading...
  
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• Debenhams considers administration as virus intensifies struggles

  03-04-2020 17:49 via ft.com
  Department store chain faces further insolvency process and more closures
  
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• Debenhams prepares to file for bankruptcy

  03-04-2020 17:03
  
  Chain buckles under coronavirus shutdown just a year after it was rescuedCoronavirus - live news updatesFind all our coronavirus coverage hereDebenhams is preparing to call in administrators after the struggling department store was forced to close all its outlets under the coronavirus lockdown.The company, which has 22,000 staff and was rescued by its lenders after collapsing into administration only a year ago, is understood to be considering filing a formal notice of intention to appoint admi
  
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• Groceries from the dry cleaner? UK firms turn to food delivery in bid to survive

  03-04-2020 16:25
  
  Small businesses are adapting to the Covid-19 shutdown by keeping home larders stockedAvailable slots for supermarket deliveries may be rarer than hens’ teeth, but an army of small firms are finding new ways to feed and water the nation – and keep themselves in business in the process.Some entrepreneurs who have never dabbled in food and drink before are now doing so. Related: Sainsbury's to ease shopping limits, but allow only one adult per household How to help Continue reading...
  
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• Groceries from the dry-cleaner? UK firms switch to food delivery

  03-04-2020 16:25
  
  Small businesses adapt to Covid-19 shutdown by helping to keep home larders stockedAvailable slots for supermarket deliveries may be rarer than hens’ teeth, but an army of small firms are finding new ways to feed and water the nation – and keep themselves in business in the process.Some entrepreneurs who have never dabbled in food and drink before are now doing so. Related: Sainsbury's to ease shopping limits, but allow only one adult per household How to help Continue reading...
  
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• Debenhams prepares for another administration

  03-04-2020 16:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Debenhams prepares to file for notice of administration as early as next week
  // KPMG understood to be standby to handle the process
  // However, a firm decision to file for administration has yet not been madeDebenhams is reportedly preparing to line up administrators as early as next week, as the 242 year-old department store chain continues to struggle amid the coronavirus pandemic.
  According to Sky News, Debenhams could file a notice of intention to appoint administrators next week, and it
  
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• Shoe Zone furloughs majority of 3500-strong workforce, cancels final dividend

  03-04-2020 15:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Shoe Zone plans to cancel dividend payments as a result of the ongoing coronavirus crisis
  // The retailer has also put the majority of its 3500-strong workforce on furlough
  // The news led to Shoe Zone shares falling as much as 53% this morningShoe Zone has announced plans to cancel dividend payments and confirmed it has furloughed the majority of its 3500-strong workforce due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
  The news saw shares in the footwear retailer fall by as much as 53 per cent on the
  
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• PlayStation and Moonpig's UK sales soar amid virus crisis

  03-04-2020 15:37
  
  Data from online bank Revolut shows convenience stores boom and decline in cash useCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSpending on PlayStation more than doubled in March, while local convenience stores such as Nisa and Costcutter recorded a surge in sales, according to the online bank Revolut. But JD Wetherspoon, the pubs chain, was among the biggest losers in the UK.Revolut’s customers are likely to be younger and slightly more urban than account holders at t
  
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• M&S and Asda launch contactless pre-paid cards for volunteers

  03-04-2020 13:59 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // M&S, Asda launch online vouchers for volunteers to pay & pick up shopping for those in need
  // Allows volunteers assisting elderly, vulnerable or self-isolating customers to pay without cash
  // The contactless vouchers reduce risk of coronavirus’ transmission through handling cashMarks & Spencer and Asda have both launched card vouchers to allow volunteers to pay and pick up shopping for elderly, vulnerable or self-isolating customers without cash.
  The retailers said the new
  
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• H&M points to faster online shift as coronavirus shuts stores 

  03-04-2020 13:56 via ft.com
  Swedish fashion retailer’s new chief says it will take ‘forceful measures’ as March sales halve
  
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• Kingfisher donates £1m worth of PPE to health services

  03-04-2020 13:24 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Kingfisher announces £1m worth of donation of protective medical equipment to health services across Europe
  // Five trucks of protective eyewear & masks worth over £200,000 given to NHS emergency hub in the MidlandsKingfisher has announced a donation of protective medical equipment to health services across Europe worth £1 million as demand for the items soar in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
  The home and DIY retail group, which operates B&Q and Screwfix in th
  
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• High street retailers suffer worth month on record

  03-04-2020 12:37 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // UK’s high street retailers suffered worst month on record in March amid coronavirus lockdown
  // Total like-for-like sales dived 17.9% for the month while in-store sales plunged 34.1%
  // Fashion stores were worst-hit, with sales nosediving 40.4% over the monthBritain’s high street retailers suffered their worst month on record in March as they were hammered by the Covid-19 lockdown, according to new figures.
  The latest monthly BDO High Street Sales Tracker saw total like-for-like s
  
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• High street retailers suffer worst month on record

  03-04-2020 12:37 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // UK’s high street retailers suffered worst month on record in March amid coronavirus lockdown
  // Total like-for-like sales dived 17.9% for the month while in-store sales plunged 34.1%
  // Fashion stores were worst-hit, with sales nosediving 40.4% over the monthBritain’s high street retailers suffered their worst month on record in March as they were hammered by the Covid-19 lockdown, according to new figures.
  The latest monthly BDO High Street Sales Tracker saw total like-for-like s
  
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• Coronavirus: Asos ends fixed-term contracts early

  03-04-2020 11:51 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Asos terminates fixed-term contracts early amid the coronavirus outbreak
  // This comes after the retailer paused all incoming deliveries from suppliers
  Asos has reportedly informed almost all of its employees on fixed-term contracts that it will be ending their agreements early, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  According to Drapers, all its staff affected – including head office and other business functions – have been given notice.
  Asos is the latest retailer to take this measure
  
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• Morrisons partners with DPD to offer next-day delivery on new £35 lockdown food boxes

  03-04-2020 11:23 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Morrisons has partnered with delivery giant DPD to provide next-day delivery of its new food boxes for those struggling to secure home deliveries in lockdown.
  DPD is now delivering Morrisons new £35 food boxes, which include a Meat Eaters Food Box and a Vegetarian Food Box, containing enough chilled, fresh and tinned food items to feed a couple for up to a week.
  The partnership has already seen DPD carry out 200,000 deliveries a week, offering next day delivery on any boxes ordered before
  
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• Coronavirus: Joules raises £15m to survive crisis

  03-04-2020 10:53 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Joules raises £15m to shore up balance sheet
  // The funding will provide it with enough liquidity to get through a “downside scenario”Joules has raised £15 million from investors in a bid to shore up its balance sheet amid the coronavirus pandemic.
  The lifestyle retailer said the funding will provide it with enough liquidity to get through a “downside scenario” as well as allow it to “emerge relatively stronger from this unprecedented situation&r
  
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• H&M Group releases Sustainability Performance report

  03-04-2020 10:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // H&M reports that 97 per cent of its cotton came from sustainable sources in 2019
  // By 2023, the retailer wants 100% of its materials to be recycled or sourced in a more sustainable way.The H&M Group has released its Group Sustainability Performance Report 2019, highlighting the retailers progress towards circular and climate positive fashion.
  According to the report the retailer reached 97 per cent recycled or other sustainably sourced cotton in 2019 and will not source conventional
  
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• Amazon succumbs to pressure announcing it will provide face masks and temperature checks for all staff

  03-04-2020 10:40 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Amazon has succumbed to pressure from staff, unions and government officials announcing plans to launch temperature checks and provide face masks for all staff.
  Following a week of staff walkouts and the launch of an investigation by New York City’s commission on human rights, Amazon said it would roll out the new measures in the US and Europe by early next week, according to a Reuters report.
  All locations will reportedly have surgical masks available for staff by early next wee
  
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• Sainsbury's to ease shopping limits, but allow only one adult per household

  03-04-2020 10:22
  
  New rules begin on Sunday and supermarket says stock is now closer to normal levelsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSainsbury’s is to loosen purchasing restrictions on most items from Sunday – excluding some high-demand essentials – but is introducing a policy of limiting one adult per household entering its stores.In a letter to its customers, the Sainsbury’s chief executive, Mike Coupe, said that as panic-buying has largely subsidised su
  
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• Coronavirus: Walmart puts sale of majority stake in Asda on hold

  03-04-2020 10:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Walmart halts sale of Asda as coronavirus pandemic continues
  // There is currently no timetable for talks with bidders to restartWalmart has reportedly put the sale of a majority stake in Asda on hold in a bid to prioritise running the business with unprecedented demand thanks to the coronavirus outbreak.
  There is currently no timetable for talks with bidders to restart. Walmart has told Asda’s leadership team to focus on day-to-day business, CNBC reported.
  In recent months, Asda had be
  
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• Boots sales slide as coronavirus “proactively deferred activities”

  03-04-2020 09:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Boots sales dropped 2.2% in first half of financial year
  // Adjusted operating income dropped 29.1%Boots has seen its profits slump during the first half of its financial year as the coronavirus outbreak took a toll on its trading.
  The health and beauty retailer’s adjusted operating income dropped by 29.1 per cent to $276 million (220.34 million) while sales dropped 2.2 per cent to $5.8 billion (£4.63 billion).
  Parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) said the drop was due to
  
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• Coronavirus: Primark bosses face 50% pay cuts

  03-04-2020 08:55 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Primark bosses and owner ABF face pay cuts as pandemic continues
  // Base pay has been slashed by up to 50%Primark executives and seniors at parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) have slashed their pay by 50 per cent amid the coronavirus outbreak.
  Primark chief executive Paul Marchant, ABF chief executive George Weston and the group’s finance director John Bason have all requested for their base pay to be temporarily slashed by 50 per cent during the pandemic.
  Meanwhile, all non-
  
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• 14,000 staff furloughed at Arcadia as execs face 50% pay cuts

  03-04-2020 08:34 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Arcadia has furloughed “a substantial number” of staff
  // The group informed its senior team about a pay cut as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic
  // Store staff were furloughed from March 21Arcadia has furloughed 14,500 of its 16,000 employees, while senior leaders take a pay cut as a result of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
  The news comes after the group – which owns the likes of Topshop and Topman – joined the list of retailers demanding rent cuts after their stores
  
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• Superdrug launches new same-day courier service

  03-04-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Superdrug has brought forward the introduction of its new same-day courier delivery service for customers who have urgent orders during the coronavirus pandemic. The health and... View Article
  
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• Sainsbury’s uses fast bike service to help expand home delivery capacity

  03-04-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Sainsbury’s is using its Chop Chop fast bike delivery service in the push to expand its home delivery capacity. The retailer is currently using the bikes... View Article
  
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• Q&A: Rick Schlenker, Co-Founder and Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, Logile

  03-04-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Logile is a global provider of industry-leading store planning, execution and workforce management software and services for retailers. With over 25 years of hands-on information technology... View Article
  
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• Morrisons to triple staff bonus payments to thank them for working through covid-19 crisis

  03-04-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Morrisons is to reward frontline staff working through the coronavirus crisis by increasing this year’s annual bonus payout threefold from last year. The supermarket said this... View Article
  
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• Morrisons launches food box service for NHS staff

  03-04-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Morrisons has launched a click and collect food box service from hospital car parks to give NHS staff an easier way to pick up essential grocery... View Article
  
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• Joules raises £15 million to help it weather coronavirus crisis

  03-04-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Lifestyle clothing brand Joules has raised £15 million through a shares placing as it looks to support its business through the coronavirus crisis. A total of... View Article
  
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• Arcadia furloughs staff as chief executive elects to take no salary

  03-04-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Topshop and Topman owner Arcadia has taken the decision to furlough a substantial number of employees through the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme. All of its... View Article
  
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