All Retail Week articles in 15-21 August 2020
Browse all news stories and articles from this date or time period.
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NewsOnline sales soar as golden quarter spending moves early and online
Ecommerce sales in the UK had their strongest year-on-year growth since June as golden-quarter spend was brought forward and much of the UK was plunged back into lockdown.
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NewsAsda sales rise as Christmas spending is brought forward
Asda has posted an increase in sales during its third quarter as demand for “key Christmas products” was brought forward.
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NewsModern slavery risk rises in Asia as pandemic hits fashion industry
While the UK is enraged by the allegations of modern slavery in Leicester factories, manufacturing hubs in Asia have seen the problem worsen amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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AnalysisHow Chinese giant Alibaba plans to take on Europe
Alibaba may be the world’s biggest retailer, but so far its efforts outside Asia have been lacklustre. But all that may be about to change. With a European distribution centre poised to open and an army of European influencers signed up, Alibaba is now firmly eyeing the West. Can it succeed?
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NewsSupply chain watchdog shuns Boohoo Leicester inquiry, questions independence
Supply chain monitor the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) has declined to take part in Boohoo’s Leicester inquiry, questioning its focus on factories and not on the retailer’s buying procedures.
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NewsJohn Lewis launches retail partnership with US fitness brand Peloton
Department store chain John Lewis has launched a concession partnership with US-based fitness brand Peloton in nine of its stores.
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NewsUK retail sales rise above pre-lockdown levels as shoppers return to stores
UK retail sales for the month of July were the highest they have been since before the pandemic struck but the outlook remains grim for many categories.
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NewsEstée Lauder to axe 2,000 jobs as coronavirus hammers profits
Cosmetics giant Estée Lauder is cutting 2,000 jobs across the globe amid plans to close stores and department store beauty counters in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
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NewsAlibaba profits surge as customer numbers jump during lockdown
Alibaba has smashed quarterly profit predictions as online sales surged during lockdown and demand for its cloud computing services soared.
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AnalysisStoreworker 2.0: the new responsibilities for frontline staff
The role of store staff is changing. Covid, new shopping habits and fewer in-store roles have created a wealth of extra responsibilities for shopworkers. Retail Week looks into the skills needed for Storeworker 2.0.
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NewsAO boss Roberts urges more retailers to launch company-wide bonus plans
AO.com boss John Roberts has urged more listed retailers to launch company-wide incentive plans for staff after its new scheme was unanimously approved by shareholders.
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Opinion‘What does the government’s Plan for Jobs mean for retail?’
In more ways than one, retail has been on the front line of the Covid-19 crisis. It has been among a handful of sectors that have led efforts to keep the country running, ensuring stores and supply chains of essential goods have remained open.
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AnalysisAnalysis: Can Walmart and Kroger really beat Amazon at its own game?
Kroger has followed US grocery rival Walmart by launching its own marketplace. Retail Week analyses whether the two grocery giants really have what it takes to challenge Amazon.
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NewsAO.com reports ‘strong’ sales growth ahead of AGM
Pureplay electronics retailers AO.com has reported “strong year-on-year revenue growth” in the UK and Germany ahead of its annual general meeting today.
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NewsFrasers Group blames profit slump on Brexit and coronavirus
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group reported a slump in profits that it blamed on a prolonged period of Brexit uncertainty followed immediately by the coronavirus crisis.
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NewsHotel Chocolat launches ‘drive-to’ outlet store
Hotel Chocolat has launched its first “drive-to” outlet store as part of its efforts to cut food waste and capitalise on changing consumer habits.
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AnalysisThe economics of ecommerce: Counting the costs of trading online
As countries went into lockdown when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, ecommerce was the sole channel still open to retailers of products deemed non-essential.
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Opinion‘UK retailers should look to China to support their Covid-19 recovery’
The Covid-19 crisis has had a global impact on consumer spending, shifting short-term purchase patterns and bringing long-term changes to the way we work, socialise and shop.
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AnalysisData: Waitrose customers flock to online grocery during lockdown
As more and more customers turned to online shopping, Waitrose and Partners’ latest Food and Drink Report highlights that Britons made more use of fast delivery services in lockdown, with heightened demand for Fairtrade or organic products and wine.
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DataData: The retail sectors capturing footfall since stores reopened
Footfall is slowly returning to retail destinations following the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, but which sectors are capitalising on that traffic and enticing customers into their stores? Springboard data shared exclusively with Retail Week reveals the sectors that are emerging as the winners and losers.