All Coronavirus articles
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AnalysisSmiling through tiers: Retailers pin hopes on ‘busier December’ as lockdown lifts
On Thursday, health secretary Matt Hancock rose to his feet in the House of Commons to update MPs and the country about the end of national lockdown on December 2 and a return to the tiered system of restrictions.
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News
Black Friday off to slow start as store closures depress spending
This year’s Black Friday is off to a slow start as non-essential store closures across much of the UK have seen payment volumes decrease year-on-year.
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Opinion
Homebase CEO Damian McGloughlin: ‘Experience is the key to relevance’
Homebase boss Damian McGloughlin explains why retailers need to work extra hard to ensure shops are inspirational as online sales soar.
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News
Tesco to open over 300 stores for 24 hours in run-up to Christmas
Grocery giant Tesco is set to open over 300 of its stores for 24 hours, with the remainder extending opening hours, from the middle of December until Christmas.
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Analysis
The Big Question: Should consumers be given spending vouchers to boost high streets?
The Northern Ireland Assembly intends to give consumers high street vouchers worth up to £100 per person in a bid to stimulate spending and help retail and hospitality recover from the coronavirus crisis. Industry experts share their views on whether the scheme should be replicated across the UK.
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News
Sainsbury’s joins Primark and M&S in extending pre-Christmas opening hours
Grocery giant Sainsbury’s is set to extend its opening hours in the run-up to Christmas, joining rivals Aldi and Waitrose in making the move.
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News
Chancellor unveils new £4bn ‘levelling-up fund’ as part of spending review
The chancellor of the exchequer has unveiled plans for a £4bn “levelling-up fund” as part of his spending review today.
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News
Pets at Home boss eyes future growth from ‘boom’ in pet ownership
Pets at Home boss Peter Pritchard insists the business can capitalise on a “baby boom” of pet owners amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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News
AO boss Roberts: ‘It’s a daily fight for product’
AO boss John Roberts has admitted the business is facing a “daily fight” to source electrical products as supply chains adapt with the coronavirus crisis and Britain’s exit from the EU.
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News
AO.com back in the black as sales soar
Pureplay electricals specialist AO.com has reported a profit in the first half of the financial year off the back of “strong” revenue growth and greater customer demand.
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News
Pets at Home sales grow as Covid costs drag down profits
Pets at Home reported growth in like-for-like sales in the first half of the financial year, although underlying profits were hit by costs associated with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
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News
Non-essential retail to reopen next week as Johnson pledges end to national lockdowns
The prime minister has confirmed all non-essential retailers will be allowed to reopen stores next week, as he pledged an end to national lockdowns in future.
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News
Next partners with Morrisons on collect and returns ‘pods’
Fashion giant Next has partnered with grocer Morrisons to trial new collect and return ‘pods’ in two supermarket car parks.
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News
Fashion etailer In The Style ponders £100m IPO
Online fashion specialist In The Style is mulling a flotation that could value it at approximately £100m.
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News
Shops get go-ahead for December reopening
Stores dubbed ‘non-essential’ will be able to reopen at the start of next month when the latest English lockdown comes to an end.
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News
Retail sales boosted in October as Christmas shopping starts early
Customers looking to buy Christmas presents before the second lockdown started in England earlier this month helped boost retail sales for the sixth straight month.
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Analysis
The Big Question: Should retailers be paying big dividends during the pandemic?
Big-name retailers, most recently Sainsbury’s, have become embroiled in controversy for paying dividends while benefiting from pandemic assistance measures such as business rates relief. We ask industry experts whether retailers should be giving out dividends during the crisis
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News
Consumer confidence slips to six-month low as coronavirus restrictions tighten
UK consumer confidence fell to its lowest ebb since the spring as coronavirus restrictions tightened, leaving one in three hospitality businesses wondering whether they will survive.
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News
M&S extends midnight openings to manage Christmas rush
Marks Spencer will open most shops until midnight in the last days before Christmas to manage shoppers safely as the Covid pandemic continues.
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News
Edinburgh Woollen Mill brands Jaeger and Peacocks appoint administrators
Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group has appointed administrators for Jaeger and Peacocks.
