Retail news

• The Guardian view on post-lockdown retail: low spirits on the high street | Editorial

  27-05-2020 20:55
  
  Shops shutting, jobs lost, landlords wiped out. The future of our community hubs looks bleakRarely does a cabinet minister salivate in public over fast food but on hearing yesterday that chicken chain Nando’s is reopening dozens of branches, Rishi Sunak could not stop himself. “The good news we’ve all been waiting for,” the chancellor tweeted, his jauntiness somewhat out of place with a thoroughly bleak situation. He may hanker after a peri-peri hit, but the government hu
  
  Read more

• How the coronavirus crisis has hit the UK's economic outlook

  27-05-2020 20:34
  
  Our analysis looks at growth and jobs, and the effect of the pandemic on businessesUK economy faces longer and slower recovery from Covid
  Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageDecline in new Covid-19 cases
  The number of new confirmed cases of Covid-19 has been steadily falling from a peak reached after the government lockdown began, even as more tests are being done. New daily cases in London are now close to zero. As of 26 May, 3,681,295 people have been tested, of w
  
  Read more

• Macy’s: land grab

  27-05-2020 19:19
  The property-rich retailer has breathing space to ride out the storm
  
  Read more

• Boohoo/Shadowfall: little Benn

  27-05-2020 18:55
  For all its success, the online fashion group flourishes red flags
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Tesco and Sainsbury’s sales outpace Aldi for first time in a decade

  27-05-2020 18:46
  Traditional supermarkets benefit as larger stores make social distancing easier
  
  Read more

• Amazon/driverless cars: gadZoox

  27-05-2020 17:45
  Ecommerce company reportedly interested in autonomous vehicle start-up
  
  Read more

• M&S HR boss Harriet Hounsell leaves after just 7 months

  27-05-2020 16:27 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // M&S’s HR chief Harriet Hounsell reportedly made redundant after less than 8 months in the role
  // M&S CEO Steve Rowe decided to devolve the retailer’s HR responsibilitiesReports have emerged that Marks & Spencer’s HR chief Harriet Hounsell has left the retailer after less than eight months in the role.
  Hounsell left M&S earlier this month after the retailer carried out another corporate restructuring, according to an internal memo from chief executive Steve R
  
  Read more

• Boohoo forced to defend itself from activist shareholder

  27-05-2020 15:12
  
  Hedge fund specialising in short positions accuses fashion retailer of misleading investorsBoohoo has defended its accounting practices after criticism by an investor known as the “Dark Destroyer” hit the online fashion specialist’s share price.The ShadowFall hedge fund led by Matthew Earl, a specialist in taking positions that bet against a company’s share price, issued a 54-page report accusing Boohoo of misleading investors about profits and cashflow. Continue reading.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Boohoo rejects short-seller’s claims over cash flow

  27-05-2020 14:47
  Online retailer disputes accusations over PrettyLittleThing stake
  
  Read more

• UK grocery enjoys biggest sales jump in 26 years

  27-05-2020 14:15 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // UK grocery sales grew 14.3% in the past 3 months – faster than another time in the last 26 years
  // Online shopping hit a new peak – accounting for 11.5 per cent of all grocery sales
  // People were visiting supermarkets in fewer numbers but average spend per trip increased 50% to £27.41Supermarket sales soared faster in the past three months than at any point in at least 26 years, as the extent of shoppers stockpiling became clear, according to new data.
  With improving weath
  
  Read more

• John Lewis reveals stores to reopen in new details on lockdown exit plan

  27-05-2020 14:02 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // John Lewis to reopen first two stores on June 15, followed by a further 11 on June 18
  // There are plans to reopen more stores “throughout the summer”, depending on response to the first openings
  // John Lewis also detailed the new social distancing measures in place to protect shoppers & staffJohn Lewis Partnership has revealed new details about the lockdown exit strategy for its department stores, including the locations of the first batch of stores to reopen.
  The partnershi
  
  Read more

• 5 minutes with Mark King, Sales Director, ShopperTrak

  27-05-2020 13:19 via retailgazette.co.uk
  Tell us a little bit about ShopperTrak
  ShopperTrak, a Sensormatic Solutions Brand, is a trusted advisor to retailers and shopping centres worldwide. We work with internationally renowned brands and through our unique retail technology and analysis solutions, we can identify key in-store and online profit opportunities in areas such as customer conversions, queue management, sales, marketing, and merchandising. Our insights support retail benchmarking between stores and sites.
  We also pioneered a
  
  Read more

• John Lewis announces first wave of store reopenings

  27-05-2020 13:04
  
  Shops in Poole and Kingston will open on 15 June and another 11 three days laterCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageJohn Lewis is to begin its phased return to high street shopping by reopening two stores in Poole and Kingston upon Thames on 15 June, followed by 11 more three days later.The retailer said it would open more depending on the response from shoppers to the initial wave. The first stores to open are a full department store in Kingston, in south-west Lond
  
  Read more

• US shoppers to be wooed back with steep discounts

  27-05-2020 12:50
  Retailers including Macy’s prepare for sales after writing down value of merchandise
  
  Read more

• Halfords to reopen 53 stores

  27-05-2020 12:10 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Halfords to reopen 53 stores on back of surge in bike sales now that people can commute without using public transport
  // Halfords to operate with new rules, including limited number of shoppers, under a model called “Retail Lite”Halfords is set to reopen 53 stores for customers as bosses said they have seen a surge in bike sales since the government encouraged commuting that avoids public transport.
  The stores spread across the country will allow a limited number of shoppers thro
  
  Read more

• Next in line to reopen 25 stores on June 15

  27-05-2020 11:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Next says it will begin to reopen 25 out of its 500 stores from June 15, when lockdown for non-essential retail is lifted in England
  // It will first prioritise larger stores where social distancing can be easily monitoredNext has announced plans to re-open 25 stores for customers to shop in from June 15, when England’s coronavirus lockdown begins to lift on non-essential retailers.
  The fashion retailer said it would prioritise larger, out-of-town stores, where social distancing can be
  
  Read more

• English retailers told to halt coronavirus home antibody test deliveries

  27-05-2020 11:42
  
  Public Health England says labs must not process them until it has established their accuracyCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageRetailers in England selling home antibody tests, including Superdrug and Babylon, have been told to stop sending them out, and labs must not process them, while the regulatory body examines how well they work.Although the kits are made by the healthcare technology firm Abbot and have been approved by Public Health England (PHE) for the NH
  
  Read more

• Co-op introduces phone ordering service for customers with limited online access

  27-05-2020 11:07 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Co-op has introduced a new phone ordering service at some of its stores, helping customers unfamiliar with or without access to computers to order remotely.
  Members of Central England Co-op can call a dedicated number and order from a list of items, ranging from fresh food to cupboard essentials.
  Once the order is placed a member of staff will pick and pack the items from their local store.
  A staff member will then call the customer back the next day, take payment over the phone and give them a
  
  Read more

• Lockdown will leave big holes on the UK high street

  27-05-2020 11:00
  The pandemic has changed shopping habits for ever
  
  Read more

• UK corner shops and independent grocers ring up 63% rise in sales

  27-05-2020 10:59
  
  Small stores benefit alongside online retailers during coronavirus lockdownCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageCorner shops and independent grocery stores have reported a 63% surge in trade as shoppers turn to local outlets during the coronavirus crisis.Sales at independently owned retailers, many of which trade under brand names such as Spar, Londis and Budgens, soared by more than double the pace of the fastest growing grocery chain, the Co-op, in the three months
  
  Read more

• British Land suffers £1bn hit from retail tumult

  27-05-2020 10:53
  Property company dented by coronavirus impact and boom in ecommerce
  
  Read more

• British Land search for new CEO paused as property value drops

  27-05-2020 10:28 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // British Land value declines as Covid-19 affects performance at shopping destinations
  // Following the outbreak, British Land collected 43% of rent due between March 2 and April 30British Land has recorded a decline in valuations and retail rent as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect the company’s performance.
  The property giant, which owns Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield, saw the value of its property drop by 26.1 per cent “as ongoing structural challenges were exace
  
  Read more

• British Land pauses search for new CEO as property value drops

  27-05-2020 10:28 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // British Land value declines as Covid-19 affects performance at shopping destinations
  // Following the outbreak, British Land collected 43% of rent due between March 2 and April 30British Land has recorded a decline in valuations and retail rent as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect the company’s performance.
  The property giant, which owns Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield among others, saw the value of its property drop by 26.1 per cent “as ongoing structural challeng
  
  Read more

• Shopping centre owner British Land slashes value of retail portfolio

  27-05-2020 10:22
  
  Shop closures due to coronavirus lockdown push company to £1.1bn annual lossCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBritish Land, which owns shopping centres including Sheffield’s Meadowhall and Drake Circus in Plymouth, has written down the value of its retail portfolio by more than a quarter due to the impact of the coronavirus.The government’s implementation of a nationwide lockdown in late March helped push the company, which also owns office prope
  
  Read more

• British Land writes down value of retail arm by more than a quarter

  27-05-2020 10:22
  
  Shop closures due to coronavirus lockdown push company to £1.1bn annual lossCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBritish Land, which owns shopping centres including Sheffield’s Meadowhall and Drake Circus in Plymouth, has written down the value of its retail portfolio by more than a quarter due to the impact of the coronavirus.The government’s implementation of a nationwide lockdown in late March helped push the company, which also owns office prope
  
  Read more

• Hammerson CEO David Atkins to step down

  27-05-2020 10:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Hammerson CEO David Atkins to step down, but will stay in post until spring 2021 the latest
  // Resignation comes as Hammerson suffers cashflow issues induced by the coronavirus crisis
  // Atkins first joined Hammerson in 1998 and was promoted CEO in 2009Hammerson chief executive David Atkins is set to resign, as the shopping centre giant faces a cashflow crisis from shop closures and a collapse in rent due to the coronavirus lockdown.
  The news also comes just weeks after the company saw the co
  
  Read more

• Boohoo overstated cashflow by £32m, short-seller says

  27-05-2020 09:56 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Boohoo attacked by short-seller who claims it exaggerated finances
  // Boohoo shares dropped 12% after the claimsBoohoo has come under attack from a British short-seller that said the online fashion retailer had exaggerated its free cashflow by over £30 million.
  Shares in Boohoo fell by more than 12 per cent after investor Shadowfall revealed it had bet on a share price fall.
  The stock later ended the day 6.8 per cent lower at 334.9p which valued Boohoo at £4.1 billion.READ MORE:Wi
  
  Read more

• Halfords to reopen 53 stores after physical-distancing trial

  27-05-2020 09:51
  
  Customers allowed in store for first time since UK coronavirus lockdown started on 23 MarchCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageHalfords is to fully reopen 53 stores after a successful trial of physical-distancing measures on its shop floors.The bike and car parts retailer said that the reopenings follow successful tests at its Peterborough and Bristol Cribbs Causeway stores. It will be the first time Halfords customers will be allowed in store since the UK lockdown
  
  Read more

• Morrisons set to open first concept store to drive clothing sales

  27-05-2020 09:12 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Morrisons to launch first concept store in a bid to drive clothing & homeware sales amid lockdown
  // The chain said the store will offer the Nutmeg clothing range, which is currently available in 100 Morrisons storesMorrisons has reportedly announced it will open its first standalone clothing and homewares store amid the lockdown in an attempt to increase sales of its Nutmeg label.
  The grocer said the standalone store would offer the Nutmeg clothing range as well as its own-brand homeware
  
  Read more

• Lockdown costing non-food retailers £1.8bn a week

  27-05-2020 08:44 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // The coronavirus lockdown is costing non-food businesses billions of pounds each week
  // Revenues and sales are expected to remain weak even after reopening storesNew research has found that the Covid-19 lockdown is costing non-food retailers a colossal £1.8 billion a week.
  The loss is evident in revenues and sales, which are expected to remain weak even as shops begin to reopen from June 15, the BRC said.
  “Many retailers are eagerly looking forward to reopening stores from 15th Ju
  
  Read more

• Frasers Group blames Dominic Cummings “fiasco” on delayed store reopenings

  27-05-2020 08:26 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Frasers Group said govt has been too distracted by the Dominic Cummings controversy which is why reopening date for non-essential retailers was delayed
  // The delay is expected to “finish off” some retailers
  // Frasers Group finance boss Chris Wootton is “extremely irritated” by the delayFrasers Group chief financial officer Chris Wootton has reportedly blamed the controversy surrounding Boris Johnson’s senior advisor Dominic Cummings for later-than-expected stor
  
  Read more

• Survey: 42% vow to shop more online even after shops reopen on 15 June

  27-05-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Despite many UK shops now expected to reopen on 15 June, the COVID-19 crisis is driving a new wave of online consumers as two in five... View Article
  
  Read more

• Specsavers launches Ask the Expert Facebook group

  27-05-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Specsavers has created a sight and hearing health advice Facebook group as part of its Open for Care campaign during the Covid-19 lockdown. The ‘pecsavers Ask the... View Article
  
  Read more

• Optimise store safety and compliance with Occupancy Insights

  27-05-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  ShopperTrak’s promise is to power retail operations, and they are more committed than ever to serving you – the Retail community – during the COVID-19. As... View Article
  
  Read more

• John Lewis sets out plans for phased reopening of stores

  27-05-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The John Lewis Partnership is to embark on a phased reopening of its John Lewis department stores following the government’s decision to allow non-essential retailers to... View Article
  
  Read more

• Hammerson chief executive to step down

  27-05-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Shopping centre owner Hammerson has announced that its chief executive David Atkins has decided to step down. He will remain in post until spring 2021 at... View Article
  
  Read more

Follow @retailuknws on Twitter!