Retail news

• Working from home may be bigger test for City of London than Brexit

  23-09-2020 19:04
  WFH bears down on the Square Mile; Tesco chief urges shoppers to stay calm
  
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• Up to 200 workers could face redundancy at Ocado call centre

  23-09-2020 18:59
  
  Firm looks to shift jobs to Sunderland in a cost-cutting measure despite record profitsOcado could make up to 200 workers at its Hatfield call centre redundant as it shifts the roles to Sunderland in an apparent cost-cutting move at a time when the online grocer is recording record profits.One call centre worker involved in a 45-day redundancy consultation process which kicked off this week described the cuts as “quite brutal” for staff who worked throughout lockdown as Ocado respond
  
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• Brits must stop “unnecessary” panic buying, Tesco CEO Dave Lewis urges

  23-09-2020 17:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Tesco urges customers not to panic buy
  // CEO Dave Lewis said there is enough stock so customers should buy as normalTesco chief executive Dave Lewis has reportedly called on customers to not return to a state of “unnecessary” panic buying after prime minister Boris Johnson revealed tougher measures for the retail sector.
  Following the PM’s speech at the House of Commons on Tuesday, speculation arose over whether there could be stockpiling, or panic buying, of groceries simi
  
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• Retailers urged to implement tougher measures as Covid-19 cases rise

  23-09-2020 17:09 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Retail sector urged by Bureau Veritas to not delay stricter measures amid pandemic
  // Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed the toughened measures on Tuesday
  // Bureau Veritas has worked with various sectors amid the pandemic to help them set Covid-secure guidanceThe retail industry has been urged by a testing and inspection company to step up the fight against Covid-19 by introducing stricter measures to avoid the risk of fines or closure.
  Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke in the House
  
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• Clothing rental services – a viable option for UK consumers?

  23-09-2020 17:07 via retailgazette.co.uk
  With Brits disposing an estimated £140 million worth of clothing every year, it’s no surprise that clothing rental services are paving the way for a more sustainable approach to fashion and fashion waste.
  According to GlobalData, the UK rental market value is expected to reach £2.3 billion by 2029, a stark increase compared to the estimated £400 million in 2019.
  In Sweden, H&M is trialling a clothing rental service for members of its customer loyalty scheme, while in
  
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• EU won’t block Northern Ireland food supplies, says NI retail group

  23-09-2020 16:14 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // EU not contemplating blocking Northern Ireland food supplies, says Northern Ireland Retail Consortium
  // Comes after the PM said the EU threatened to impose “a full-scale trade border down the Irish Sea” that could stop food transportationThe EU is not contemplating blocking food supplies to Northern Ireland, a representative of the country’s largest supermarkets has said.
  Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the EU was threatening to use an “extreme interpretation”
  
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• Study reveals change in triggers for abuse against shopworkers during Covid

  23-09-2020 14:56 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Focus of triggers for abuse against shopworkers changed due to Covid-19 – study
  // Enforcing social distancing or face coverings are now the biggest triggers for abuse against shopworkers
  // Incidents of assaults, threats and abuse have doubled since the pandemic startedEnforcing social distancing and the wearing of face coverings are now the biggest triggers for abuse against shopworkers rather than thefts or age identification, a new study suggests.
  The shopworkers union Usdaw said a
  
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• Asda to tighten safety measures as second Covid-19 wave looms

  23-09-2020 14:04 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Asda drafts in 1000 new safety marshals
  // The grocer is attempting to keep up with tightened restrictions which could lead to high demandAsda has announced further safety measures across its stores in an effort to provide an enhanced level of protection for customers and colleagues.
  The new measures are set to be implemented in the coming weeks as restrictions are tightened across the UK.
  The grocer has reinstated 1000 new door marshals at the front of every store and increased security
  
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• Amazon Prime Day 2020 set to launch on October 13 after months of delays

  23-09-2020 13:27 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Amazon Prime Day is now set to launch on Tuesday October 13 after being delayed for months due to the coronavirus.
  Amazon’s flagship sales event which usually takes place in July will now launch in just three weeks’ time, according to a report from CNET.
  Four separate sources “with knowledge of Amazon’s plans” leaked the October date, though Amazon has not yet publicly confirmed this.
  READ MORE: Amazon Prime day pushed back a third time until October
  Amazo
  
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• Amazon launches ‘Climate Pledge Friendly’ badge encouraging sellers to “create sustainable products”

  23-09-2020 11:09 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Amazon has launched a new ‘Climate Pledge Friendly’ label in a bid to encourage its sellers to “create sustainable products”.
  More than 25,000 products in categories spanning fashion, electronics, beauty, grocery and household will be awarded Amazon’s new Climate Pledge Friendly label from today.
  “With 18 external certification programs and our own Compact by Design certification, we’re incentivizing selling partners to create sustainable products that h
  
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• Jobs at risk as Ralph Lauren plans to reduce workforce

  23-09-2020 11:06 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Ralph Lauren plans to reduce global workforce to create a “flatter team structure”
  // The company will reorganise its corporate merchandising teamsRalph Lauren is considering reducing its global workforce as it plans to roll out improved technology platforms to support its worldwide operations.
  The premium fashion retailer said it also plans to create a “flatter team structure” by consolidating its global marketing and branding functions.
  It will create a new cons
  
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• Toilet roll sales up 23% as retailers anticipate second Covid-19 wave

  23-09-2020 10:04 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Toilet roll sales surge as Brits fear second Covid-19 wave is underway
  // Over the past week, sales of toilet rolls have risen by 23%Toilet roll sales have increased over the past week as retailers prepare for a strong demand in staple items following the government’s recent tightened regulations regarding Covid-19.
  In March, grocers across the UK were forced to speed up their supply chains and introduce purchase limits, which meant rationing toilet rolls and other products such as past
  
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• Lovehoney CEO resigns after 12 months

  23-09-2020 10:03 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Lovehoney CEO Sarah Warby resigns after 12 months in the role, citing “family reasons”
  // Chief commercial officer Debbie Bond is running the business since Warby’s exitLovehoney has confirmed that chief executive Sarah Warby has stepped down from her post after just 12 months in the role.
  A spokesman for the online sex toys retailer said Warby exited the business this month “for family reasons”.
  “Sarah Warby left Lovehoney in September 2020 for family reas
  
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• Nike closer to a permanent shift to online as first quarter sales surge

  23-09-2020 09:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Nike books 82% rise in online sales in Q1, offsetting falling in-store revenue due to the pandemic
  // Overall first quarter revenue came in at $10.6bn (£8.3bn)Nike has enjoyed a significant rise in online sales as its direct-to-consumer strategy came to fruition during lockdown and allowed it to bounce back from a coronavirus slump.
  The sportswear giant saw digital sales surge by 82 per cent in the three-month period ending August 31, offsetting falling revenue in its stores as a result
  
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• Joules “encouraged” by Q1 trading despite 18% sales drop

  23-09-2020 09:22 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Joules overall Q1 sales drop 18% to £39.6m
  // Retail revenue declined by 5%, but retail sales through Joules-owned retail channels increased by 1.5%
  // Online surged 63%, while in-store sales dropped 49%Joules endured a decline in first quarter sales as a result of lockdown, but its chief executive was “encouraged” by the recovery and trading was still ahead of expectations.
  In the 13 weeks to August 30, group revenue fell 18 per cent year-on-year to £39.6 million.
  Jou
  
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• Coronavirus: unwitting beneficiaries

  23-09-2020 06:00
  Anything that reduces the economic damage caused by restrictions would be hugely valuable
  
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• UK economy faces gloomy fourth quarter

  23-09-2020 05:00
  Spending slowed even before new restrictions were announced by Boris Johnson
  
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• Online sales surge sends Nike shares to record high

  23-09-2020 01:31
  Sportswear group finds ecommerce makes up for lower foot traffic at reopened stores
  
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• Webinar: Experience Intelligence is the future of retail – the one investment you need to make

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  October 14 / 10am – When online becomes your only channel, what will differentiate your brand will be the experience you deliver and that can only... View Article
  
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• Watches of Switzerland unveils new Knightsbridge Rolex showroom

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The Watches of Switzerland Group has opened a new Rolex showroom in London’s Knightsbridge. Spanning 1,377 square feet, the showroom is situated within the Watches of... View Article
  
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• Waitrose removes plastic shrinkwrap from all tinned multibuy food

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Waitrose is speeding up plans to stop using single use plastic by ending the use of multibuy shrinkwrap on its own label tinned grocery products. The... View Article
  
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• Three marketing techniques having a 2020 revival

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Many marketers have come to terms with the disruption of their best laid plans for a glorious summer of 2020 Olympics activity. Businesses have reallocated budgets... View Article
  
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• Ralph Lauren to reduce global workforce as it reorganises for future growth

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Ralph Lauren has announced plans to simplify its global organisational structure and to roll out improved technology platforms to support its wordwide operations. The plans will include... View Article
  
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• Raft of retail HR leaders to speak at this week’s Retail HR Summit

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Join us at our virtual Retail HR Summit on 1 October to find out how other retail HR teams are dealing with the unprecedented challenges brought about the... View Article
  
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• Optimizing category management and trade marketing with Virtual Reality

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Leading FMCG and retail companies worldwide have already turned to virtual reality with significant added value across their entire organizations. With its ultra-realistic solutions of virtual reality... View Article
  
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• Less than a week left to get your free place at the virtual Retail HR Summit

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Join us at our virtual Retail HR Summit on 1 October to find out how other retail HR teams are dealing with the unprecedented challenges brought about the... View Article
  
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• Last chance to get your free registration for tomorrow’s Retail HR Summit

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Join us at our virtual Retail HR Summit on 1 October to find out how other retail HR teams are dealing with the unprecedented challenges brought about the... View Article
  
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• Joules ‘encouraged’ by first quarter performance

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Joules has said its group revenue came in ahead of expectations in the 13 weeks to 30 August despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.... View Article
  
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• J. Crew to close all six UK stores

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  US fashion retailer J.Crew is to exit the UK and close all six of its stores in the  country. According to The Guardian, the company has... View Article
  
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• Hugo Boss head of corporate communications steps down

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Hugo Boss has announced that its head of corporate communications Hjördis Kettenbachis has decided to leave the business at the end of September. Kettenbach has worked... View Article
  
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• Calling all HR leaders – join us at today’s Retail HR Summit

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Register to view the event today or access the recording later. Join us at our free virtual Retail HR Summit on 1 October to find out... View Article
  
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• AI Webinar: Experience Intelligence is the Future of Retail – the one investment you need to make

  23-09-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  October 14 / 10am – When online becomes your only channel, what will differentiate your brand will be the experience you deliver and that can only... View Article
  
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