A Newport business which helped set up pop-up Tesco stores around NHS Nightingale hospitals is preparing to dial up support for retailers across the UK with the support of Lloyds Bank. Family-run Retail Merchandising Services has secured a £700k Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan via the lender that will ease any cashflow issues faced by the […]
Online retail sales were up 72% year-on-year in the UK in May according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks overall retail sales across all types of payment, including card, cash and cheque. This is an advance on April’s online sales – which were up 64% year-over-year, showing an ongoing growth trend as consumers continue to shop […]
The BRC and Opinium have been working together to track consumer behaviours and their sentiment towards coronavirus. This research has run weekly since the pandemic began, with this wave of responses taking place between 12-15 June 2020. Respondents feeling comfortable about making purchases in-store rose to 63% for groceries (20% uncomfortable) and 41% for non-groceries* […]
New research has highlighted how UK shopping habits are shifting compared to six weeks ago, at the height of the lockdown. In particular, the number of people who say they shop more often on Amazon has risen from 19% then to 27% now – and 17% say they plan to continue doing so after the […]
Even after 15 June, when most non-essential shops reopened, sociable shopping will remain off-limits thanks to continuing social distancing measures. However, new research reveals that online shopping has become an increasingly sociable activity thanks to a lockdown boom in social commerce. The closure of many high street favourites has fuelled a 95% increase in shoppers […]
Despite today’s long queues outside newly reopened stores, the home delivery expert ParcelHero is forecasting that the crowds will fall away by Wednesday, as stores remain a stressful environment and home shopping proves too strong a habit to quit. ParcelHero’s head of consumer research, David Jinks MILT, says today might see significant queuing to satisfy […]
A horticulture supplier aiming to capitalise on the reopening of garden centres has traded through Covid-19 with the support of a loan from Lloyds Bank. BHGS, a century-old business with a cooperative heritage, has seen demand slump since the coronavirus hit the UK as its customers – including independent garden centres, National Trust estates and […]
With restrictions on non-essential stores easing from 15 June, new research by industry voice SaveTheHighStreet.org reveals that only a quarter (25%) of small businesses have completed the necessary Covid-19 risk assessments critical to reopening. The Covid-19 High Street Recovery & Resilience survey, which has had 1000 responses also reveals one in five (20%) have not […]
Covering the four weeks 3 – 30 May 2020 On a total basis, sales decreased by 5.9% in May, against a decrease of 1.9% in May 2019*. This is the second worst decline recorded since our monitor began in January 1995, an improvement over April. It is above the 3-month average decline of 9.4% and […]
Retailers need to pay attention to changing customer demands and keep an eye on cash, if they are to avoid going into administration, say leading accounting and tax advisory firm Blick Rothenberg. Mark Hart a partner in the firm said: “A key issue for retailers as we ease of out lockdown is to ensure they […]
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