Card Factory today said that it would continue to develop its strategy of making its products available to customers however they want to buy – whether that’s online, in a shop or via a third-party retailer. Coming out of lockdown, it is looking to develop new innovative ways for its customers to buy that will enable them to visit shops less often while spending more

Topps Tiles expects all stores to reopen by the end of June as it regroups post-lockdown

19 May 2020by Chloe Rigby

Topps Tiles today said that it expects to have all its stores open by the end of June as it continues to navigate the coronavirus crisis

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Fresh uncertainty surrounds UK-EU trade deal negotiations

15 May 2020by Chloe Rigby

Uncertainty remains today over what, if any, trade agreement will be struck between the UK and the EU following the UK chief negotiator’s admission today that “very little progress” has been made in the latest round of talks. If no deal is struck, World Trade Organisation rules would apply to retailers’ cross-border sales and sourcing from January 2021. One commentator says it’s time to extend

Boohoo raises war chest to spend on pandemic buying opportunities

15 May 2020by Chloe Rigby

Boohoo has raised almost £200m to spend on expanding its online fashion business by taking advantage of the “numerous opportunities” it expects to see in coming months

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Amazon warns shareholders not to expect profits short-term as it outlines a $4bn response to Covid-19

01 May 2020by Chloe Rigby

Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos today told shareholders not to expect profits at the business while it looked after its staff and its customers during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Bezos, announcing Amazon’s first quarter results, did not mention continued controversy around Amazon’s approach to health and safety during the pandemic in markets including France and the United States – but his words did appear to mark a move to respond to those criticisms

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Oasis and Warehouse staff to be made redundant as administrators fail to save it

30 Apr 2020by Chloe Rigby

More than 1,800 members of staff at Oasis and Warehouse are to be made redundant after administrators were unable to rescue any parts of the business as a going concern

John Lewis Partnership sets out worst case scenario for full-year pandemic retailing

21 Apr 2020by Chloe Rigby

The John Lewis Partnership has set out its worst-case scenario for its current financial year, as it says the future of its business is strong despite the hit to short-term trading as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. It will now look to adapt to the changing way that shoppers are buying as a result of the pandemic in its already-planned retail review

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Next starts to reopen its online business, now operating from warehouses redesigned around pandemic safety

14 Apr 2020by Chloe Rigby

Next today partially reopened its online business, after putting safety measures into place in its warehouse and distribution network

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Boots sees fast growth in online spending, but in-store sales are down

03 Apr 2020by Chloe Rigby

New figures out from Boots owner the Walgreens Boots Alliance show how online sales were already growing at the retailer before the Covid-19 pandemic put it on the front line of retail

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UPDATED Coronavirus round-up: Annoushka is using digital to give an in-store experience, Adidas China sales sharply down, plus Amazon, Deliveroo, WH Smith, Intu

13 Mar 2020by Chloe Rigby

We’re reporting on the effect of the Covid-19 coronavirus on the way UK shoppers buy – and on how retailers are responding to that changing behaviour. This update comes as 590 positive cases have been confirmed by Public Health England as of 9am on March 12 and eight people have died. The World Health Organisation has now classified coronavirus as a pandemic.

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