Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from March, 2020

Sustainable focus: The rise of the curated edit…

Welcome to this monthly column within our broader sustainability section which focuses on what retail is doing to address the issues in its industry. Today we discuss the different sustainable edits available in the market place and their chances of success brought to you by Retail Insider with Clipper  and  Give Back Box The number of fashion retailers now offering sustainable edits across their range is steadily rising but the scope and remit varies considerably. In this month’s Sustainability column we assess who is guiding their consumers towards sustainability in fashion, how well are they doing it and which edits are expanding? All the stats and research to date seem to show that first the Millennials and now Generation Z are both willing to put their money where their mouths are when it comes to sustainability and what it means to them. For the Future: Boohoo.com’s sustainable edit A 2019 report from US company First Insight ‘The State of Consumer Spending:...

Woolworths makes earlier payments for small businesses

Woolworths Group is temporarily changing its payment policy to pay small suppliers faster for their goods and services. Currently, small trade suppliers in Woolworths’ Supermarkets business are paid within 14 days, while across the rest of the Group, payment terms for small suppliers do no exceed 30 days from receipt of a correct invoice or receipt of goods. Starting today, the payment terms for eligible small suppliers will be aligned across the entire Group (including Goods Not For Resale, BIG W, Endeavour Group and New Zealand) and will not exceed 14 days. “Our small business suppliers are an integral part of our supply chain and play a key role in helping us provide the products our customers need,” says Woolworths Group Chief Financial Officer, Stephen Harrison. “By paying our small suppliers faster, we hope to ease some of the financial pressure many of them are currently experiencing amid the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic.” Woolworths Group classifies small...

eBay Australia supports local retailers

eBay has launched a stimulus package to assist local retailers get through the COVID-19 pandemic. The package permits eligible eBay sellers to defer fees for 30 days, and removes listing fees until June 30. For new sellers opening an eBay store, the business is offering no selling fees for three months to help them establish their online presence while brick and mortar stores close. The initiative aims to help thousands of small to medium-sized businesses and will give a much-needed boost to the 57 per cent of retail that is still offline in Australia. eBay Australia Managing Director, Tim MacKinnon comments, “eBay is devastated to see so many Australian retailers closing their physical stores. We believe that just because they’ve had to close their doors, it doesn’t mean they need to close their businesses. “In recent weeks we have seen more Australians come to eBay for the things they need from everyday essentials to office furniture and activities they can do indoors. eBay ...

Impact of Covid-19 on supply chain business in retail sector

Covid-19 continues to impact the economies worldwide, severely hitting the businesses and services. As several cities and countries observe absolute lockdown, its strong ripple effects are jolting the supply chain business. “Coronavirus took the world by surprise, and the full impact of the pandemic on supply chains is still hard to predict. However, one of […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/3dJSvbE via IFTTT

Outrage in Germany as adidas, H&M stop rent payments

Global retailers including adidas and H&M sparked outrage in Germany on Sunday after announcing they planned to stop paying rent on stores that have been forced to close over the coronavirus outbreak. Finance Minister Olaf Scholz urged leading companies to refrain from taking rash action that could hurt property owners. “It’s irritating when large companies […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/3axlWLW via IFTTT

Paytm Mall waives off penalties on merchants for order cancellations and delays in processing

Paytm Mall (owned by Paytm Ecommerce Private Limited), which is redefining the e-commerce space in India with its unique O2O (Offline to Online) model, announced that it has waived off order delay and cancellation penalities on merchants due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic until April 22, 2020. Service level agreement (SLA) is a commitment to […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2X0CTuy via IFTTT

Coronavirus Impact: India’s retail trade incurs losses worth US$ 30 billion last fortnight

Retailers have incurred around US$ 30 billion losses in the past 15 days due to the lockdown announced by the government to contain Covid-19 spread, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). “The losses incurred by the retail trade in the last 15 days due to the Covid-19 pandemic is $30 billion,” the […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2w2sh2X via IFTTT

Apparel industry may take a hit of Rs 1 lakh crore: CMAI

The country’s apparel industry could take a hit of around Rs 1 lakh crore due to the lockdown and the slowdown in the economy later, says the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI). Deeply concerned by the economic impact due to the lock down in the country caused by COVID-19, CMAI conducted a survey amongst […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/3aCb932 via IFTTT

VLCC starts manufacturing hand sanitizers to support mitigation of COVID-19 crisis

VLCC Personal Care Ltd. announced the commencement of production of hand sanitizers at its GMP certified manufacturing facility in Haridwar (Uttarakhand) – one of its two such plants in India – to support mitigation of the severe health crisis caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and to meet the sudden spike in demand for hygiene products. […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/39tkZ64 via IFTTT

Driving ROI: The Business Case for a Comprehensive Merchandise Optimization Solution

Who is this document for? This ROI impact study, conducted with Hobson & Company (H&C), is for decision-makers in large retail organizations who are responsible for building the business case for transitioning from a legacy or homegrown merchandise planning, allocation, or replenishment system to an automated, integrated, and intelligent merchandise optimization solution. What will I learn about? Hobson & Company (H&C), a leading research firm focused on return on investment and total cost of ownership studies, worked with Mi9 Retail to explore how leading retailers are addressing common merchandise management and demand planning challenges. H&C conducted independent research consisting of in-depth interviews with Mi9 Retail customers and found that Mi9 solutions addressed customer challenges and delivered quick, measurable results with a high return on investment. Based on the ROI analysis outlined in this paper, a retailer with roughly $1B in revenu...

Mi9 Pick & Pack Data Sheet

Who is this document for? This data sheet is written for grocery retailers who are seeking a fulfillment solution to optimize the process of managing, picking, and filling online grocery orders. What will I learn about? Mi9 Pick & Pack is a cloud-native order fulfillment microservice for grocers designed to combat high fulfillment costs, increase operational efficiency, and improve profitability. Multi-order picking and route optimization functionality dramatically improves picking efficiency and reduces fulfillment costs. Pick & Pack is independently deployable and easily integrates with a retailer’s existing systems or with the Mi9 Digital Commerce platform. The post Mi9 Pick & Pack Data Sheet appeared first on Mi9 Retail . from Mi9 Retail https://ift.tt/2w7OdKe via IFTTT

NSW gets 24-hour supermarket trading

The National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed the New South Wales Government decision to allow supermarkets to trade 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and is urging other states to follow suit. NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes announced the immediate lifting of restrictions on the hours that supermarkets can operate. According to NRA CEO Dominique Lamb the move will help supermarkets better service people following unprecedented demand for essential items. “Cutting red tape and offering greater flexibility on trading hours will enable supermarkets across NSW to better supply consumers during this period of upheaval,” she said. “24-hour trading will assist by spreading out the time available to shoppers to buy groceries and provide supermarkets with greater freedom around special shopping periods for the elderly and those operating in essential services.” However, the decision does not force supermarkets to open 24 hours a day but provides the maximum amount o...

Call for retail leasing industry code of conduct

National retail groups and shopping centre landlords have united in a set of retail leasing principles and calling for the implementation of a national Code of Conduct for retail leasing that assists both retailers and landlords during this period of unprecedented economic turmoil. The National Retail Association (NRA), Australian Retailers Association (ARA), the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) have announced their shared commitment to ensuring business continuity in response to a common set of principles outlined by the Prime Minister relating to commercial leasing. “We sat down immediately after the Prime Minister’s announcement to come together in good faith and continue our ongoing discussions to ensure landlords and tenants are working together,” NRA CEO, Dominique Lamb, said. “Pharmacies are under immense pressure as frontline health resources during this COVID-19 crisis, and they need the certainty and consistency that can ...

Preoday and Eagle Eye partner to offer food and hospitality operators digital loyalty and ordering in combination

Eagle Eye, a SaaS-based provider enabling one-to-one performance marketing in real time, is partnering with digital ordering platform Preoday, a QikServe company. The partnership will enable hospitality operators the ability to offer customers combined pre-ordering of food and drink with loyalty rewards and promotions via Eagle Eye’s mobile apps. from Retail Times https://ift.tt/2xEbUdi via IFTTT

Coronavirus: Oasis & Warehouse supplier payments delayed

// Oasis and Warehouse tells suppliers that payments will be delayed as a result of coronavirus // The group is continuing to operate online and has not cancelled orders Oasis and Warehouse have reportedly informed suppliers that payments will be delayed as a result of protecting the business amid the coronavirus outbreak. The fashion retail group has said it is still operating online and has not cancelled orders. However, it has not issued any statements as to when its suppliers will be paid for overdue invoices and goods that have already been delivered, Drapers reported. READ MORE: Oasis & Warehouse seeks new buyer amid coronavirus crisis Big Interview: Hash Ladha, CEO, Oasis & Warehouse Meanwhile, the group is also in talks with landlords about deferring rent and VAT payments. The business has maintained that its priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of its customers and colleagues. Retailers including Primark, Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group ...

Coronavirus: UK supermarkets experience a surge in sales

British consumers made more than 79 million extra grocery shopping trips in the past four weeks, new data reveals. Figures from Nielsen show the increase in sales was particularly pronounced in the week ending 21 March, which saw a massive 43% weekly growth in sales. The data reveals that over the four week period ending ... This story continues at Coronavirus: UK supermarkets experience a surge in sales Or just read more coverage at Talking Retail from Talking Retail https://ift.tt/2UP15gz via IFTTT

StockX says coronavirus has been “great for our business and growth”

StockX says the coronavirus has been “great for our business and growth” as shoppers are forced to turn online to make purchases. Scott Cutler, the sneaker start-up’s chief executive, said speaking at an online interview last week that the pandemic had not hit the brand’s margins. While almost all non-food retailers have been forced to shut their physical stores, online retailers like Amazon and Asos are now facing criticism for keeping their warehouses open and putting employees at risk. “The recent events over the last couple of months has been a benefit to our business,” Cutler said. “We’ve had more and more traffic and buyers coming to our site because in some respects, traditional retail in some geographies is not available. “We thought we’ve always been a marketplace of scarcity, but now you can’t actually go into a real retail location, so you’re coming to StockX. So on the one hand, it’s been great for our for our business and for our growth.” READ MORE:   StockX tops...

Coronavirus: Urban Outfitters invokes force majeure clause

// Urban Outfitters declines the delivery of goods on purchase orders & cancels all undelivered orders // Any products with freight forwarders will be discounted by 30% In a bid to protect the business amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Urban Outfitters has told suppliers it can no longer accept delivery of goods on orders, and will cancel all undelivered orders. Drapers reported that the fashion retailer also told creditors that any products with freight forwarders will be discounted by 30 per cent. In a letter from Urban Outfitters European managing director Emma Wisden to suppliers, which was seen by Drapers , the retailer said that under the exceptional circumstances it would have to “regretfully invoke the force majeure provision of our contract and cancel all undelivered POs as of today.” READ MORE: Zalando adopts protective measures in response to Covid-19 Arcadia postpones pension top-ups to save cash Coronavirus: Burberry offers up resources to fight agains...

Zalando adopts protective measures in response to Covid-19

// Zalando has asked the majority of its workforce to stay at home amid pandemic // It has put a range of protective and hygienic measures in place Zalando has released a statement concerning the security measures it will implement to protect both its business and staff throughout the coronavirus crisis. The majority of the online fashion retailer’s staff have been asked to work from home, and a range of protective and hygienic measures have been provided for those unable to do so. The business will also be enforcing social distancing rules in addition to asking vulnerable employees to stay at home while they continue to receive their salary. READ MORE: Zalando warehouses stay open despite Covid-19 affecting demand Zalando HQ worker tests positive for coronavirus Meanwhile, Zalando stated that the lockdown measures that have been implemented by the majority of European governments, as well as the UK, has impacted sales. Consequently, the company has adjusted its spe...

What Covid-19 means for retailers & their commerce strategies

In the coming weeks and months, retailers will need to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and lean into “a new normal”. Across the globe, retailers are closing their doors in a bid to protect their employees, communities and customers. Online sales have already increased 52 per cent compared to the same period last year – and we can expect more disruption to come. Retailers are becoming more reliant on their digital commerce strategies by the day, to make it through this time. Amazon has already announced that it will be hiring an additional 100,000 employees across its global infrastructure to support the surge in demand. Meanwhile, competition laws are being relaxed across the globe to allow retailers share data, resources and inventory to ensure consumers have access to the products they desperately need. How are consumers coping? The news surrounding Covid-19 is changing by the hour — and the US population is trying to make sense of this changing situation and increased anxiety. T...

Australian Horticulture Statistics released

The latest edition of the Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook is live and includes improved functionality and user preferences. The handbook features data on more than 70 horticultural products including fruit, nuts, vegetables, nursery, turf and cut flowers. Data shows that in 2018/19, the horticulture sector recorded its highest production value to date. Value of produce The sector has experienced seven years of consecutive growth, according to the statistics. Results by category show that in the fruit sector, the value of berries and citrus accounted for nearly one third (32%) of the total value of fruit in 2018/19. The value of the vegetable category increased by nearly 9% to reach a value of $4.7 billion in 2018/19. Potatoes were the most valuable vegetable product at $752.6 million. All hale almonds Almonds were the highest-valued horticulture product overall, achieving a record export value of $675 million. Almonds and macadamias also accounted for 89% of the to...

Beales’ suppliers, staff & landlords owed £17.6m

// Beales’ unsecured creditors are owed around £17.6m, according to a report from administrators // The unsecured creditors includes suppliers, fashion concessions, staff and landlords // They’re expected to receive a dividend but KPMG was “not yet able to confirm the quantum or timing of any distribution” A report from administrators at KPMG has shown that Beales’ unsecured creditors are owed around £17.6 million. KPMG said unsecured creditors – which includes suppliers, fashion concessions, staff and landlords – are expected to receive a dividend. However, the administrators were “not yet able to confirm the quantum or timing of any distribution”. READ MORE:  Coronavirus prompts last 11 Beales stores to shut down 2 weeks early Beales reveals list of final 11 stores set to close Beales: What went wrong? Some of the creditors which are owed the most amount of money include Barbour, which is owed £218,500, Phase Eight which is owed £112,600, Dorothy Perkins which i...

Your In-Store Messaging Must Change Due to COVID-19, Here’s How – Part 1

COVID-19 has changed the way you operate your stores and communicating that to your customers is key. Changes such as new or altered store hours, revised self-service policies, new cleaning protocols and inventory updates provide shoppers peace of mind and that’s critical right now. Here’s how to keep your customers in the know with signage and POP that helps inform, guide, reassure and show you care. Inform Shoppers of Changes COVID-19 guidelines are bringing about a lot of change right now. Pausing the use of refillable cups and doing away with self-serve food requires communication with your customers. Easy-to-read signage indicating these new updates is the best way to alert patrons. Place signs with these new mandates near fuel pumps, on exterior doors and inside your stores. Don’t shy away from using images or icons to visually demonstrate your message. This could be an “X” over an image of a customer filling a coffee cup or grabbing a donut alongside an image of a glove-we...

Brits splashed out extra £1.9bn on stockpiling groceries

// Britons spent almost £2bn on stocking up groceries ahead of lockdown // An additional 79m shopping trips were made to supermarkets during March New research has shown that Brits have spent at extra £1.9 billion on stockpiling groceries in the run-up to the coronavirus lockdown. In the four weeks to March 21, grocers saw an additional 79 million shopping trips as consumers scurried to find essentials, Nielsen reported. According to Kantar, March was the biggest on record for UK grocery sales as grocery spend totalled £10.8 billion in the past four weeks alone. READ MORE: Coronavirus: M&S launches online “food boxes” for vulnerable customers Tesco puts one item limit on essentials at some Express stores Coronavirus: Co-op mulls 60 store closures to continue operating Furthermore, Nielsen found an 84 per cent rise in frozen food sales last week alone, compared to the same period last year. After the government announced the closure of pubs and restaur...

Coronavirus: Poundland shuts 32 stores

// Poundland shuts 32 stores temporarily due to coronavirus // The discount retailer has outlined specific reasons for the closures // Affected staff to receive 80% of average earnings in line with government’s Jobs Retention Scheme Poundland has temporarily closed 32 of its stores amid the coronavirus crisis, and said affected staff will receive 80 per cent of average earnings in line with the government’s Jobs Retention Scheme. Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw said it had been informed by the discount retailer that it has asked employees from the stores to voluntarily agree to be furloughed. Poundland said the reasons for the temporary closures include, if the stores are located in a retail park or shopping centre, if there are a number of stores in the same area, and if there are not enough employees available to staff that particular store. READ MORE: Poundland owner delays flotation as FTSE 100 suffers worst day since 1987 Coronavirus: Is it ‘survival of the fittes...

Coronavirus: M&S launches online “food boxes” for vulnerable customers

// M&S has released food boxes packed with essentials to support vulnerable customers unable to pop into stores // The boxes are filled with staple products Marks & Spencer has launched new online “food boxes” to help vulnerable customers find kitchen essentials amid the coronavirus pandemic. M&S said it will give priority to customers over 70 (identified via Sparks) who may be finding it more challenging to buy essentials. The boxes are filled with over 20 kitchen and household essentials, from pasta, rice, curries and cooking sauces to sweets, and is priced at £30. READ MORE: Big Interview: Nathan Ansell, Marketing Director, M&S Clothing & Home Coronavirus: 90% sales drop forecast for M&S’s clothing & home Coronavirus: Moody’s downgrades M&S’s credit score The retailer has also offered a contact-free delivery option to ensure maximum safety measures for its colleagues and customers. The news comes after the government announced a f...

Britons made 80m extra grocery shops in less than a month

Between 24 February and 21 March, UK shoppers spent an extra £2bn on food and drink Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Britons made nearly 80m extra grocery shopping trips in the last four weeks than over the same period last year – spending nearly £2bn more on food and drink – as they rushed to stockpile amid fears about coronavirus. New data published today by market analysts Nielsen shows that total till sales at the UK’s supermarkets surged 20.5% during the key four-week period from 24 February to 21 March. Continue reading... from Retail industry | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3bH7xx8 via IFTTT

JobKeeper package offers comfort, says ARA

Russell Zimmerman, the Executive Director of the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) congratulates Prime Minister Scott Morrison on announcing a $130 billion wage relief package. Mr Zimmerman says the money is a “huge comfort” which goes significantly towards reducing the financial strain on business and the uncertainty of their staff. The Government announced that $1500 would be paid per employee per fortnight – effectively placing a floor under continuing jobs. The ARA know one of the biggest pressures from the coronavirus pandemic is placed on retailers wage costs, “and this package will relieve a huge portion of that burden at a time of minimal retail turnover,” says Mr Zimmerman. Those who had already been stood down are also eligible for the JobKeeper package, which Mr Zimmerman says can give confidence to families without jobs at the moment. “We know of retailers – and not just small retailers or sole traders – who have reported revenue losses to us of more than 75% from...

Amazon resumes services in some cities, delivery delays to continue

E-commerce major Amazon India has resumed services in some cities, including Bengaluru, Noida, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Mumbai, but deliveries would continue to be delayed because of movement restrictions and extensive lockdowns. According to a PTI report: Amazon and other e-commerce companies have been facing delays in delivery of orders after the government ordered […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/33XEpPi via IFTTT

Hard Stop on the Global Economy Means Steeper Online Discounting

By: Jharonne Martis, Director of Consumer Research, Refinitiv   The COVID-19 pandemic has caused retailers, manufacturers and businesses to close their physical stores around the world. It has disrupted the natural economic cycle and imposed a hard stop on the global economy, making it difficult to predict when we will see a restart. As retailers close their physical stores, consumers are forced to shop online. To track the online trends, Refinitiv partnered with StyleSage Co., which analyzes retailers, brands, online trends and products across the globe. We tracked the average discount percentage retailers are offering and how much retail assortment is on sale since the coronavirus outbreak. In the U.S. alone, consumer spending accounts for about two thirds of the U.S. economy. The amount of money consumers spent online continues to rise, but still only accounts for 11.4% of total U.S. retail sales. This means that the bulk of retail spending (89.6%) still happens in stores an...

New leasing of retail spaces may take hit in short-term due to lockdown

India”s commercial real estate, which has been performing well for last few years despite slowdown in the property market, is likely to be impacted due to nationwide lockdown as market experts see short-term affect on demand-supply of office and retail spaces, besides pressure on rentals values. According to a PTI report: Corporates and retailers, both […] from Indiaretailing.com https://ift.tt/2xxq8Nl via IFTTT

How to get the taxman to pay for your store refit

If you own or run a small business, one of the best tax breaks is the instant asset write-off. This allows you to buy items of capital equipment and then immediately write off the cost against current year profits. Whilst now might not seem like the best time to be spending money on a store refit, the tax break has now been made even more attractive for a limited time meaning that for those retail businesses with a cash balance and a plan to freshen up their retail presence, there has actually never been a better time to take the plunge. The government has just announced that the dollar limit for qualifying capital assets has gone up to $150,000 with effect from 12 March 2020 (it was previously $30,000 from 2 April 2019), meaning that any item costing up to that limit can be written off straight away. This applies to all capital purchases through until 30 June 2020. Better still, the scope of the instant asset write-off has been expanded meaning that thousands more Aussie businesses...

Wesfarmers agrees to sell 5.2% of Coles Group

30 March, 2020 Media release Wesfarmers announced that it has entered into an underwriting agreement with two lead managers to sell 5.2 per cent of the issued capital of Coles Group Limited (ASX:COL) (Coles). As a result of the Group’s interest falling below 10 per cent, the Relationship Deed agreed with Coles at the time of the demerger will terminate and Wesfarmers will no longer have the right to nominate a director to the Coles Board. As part of the transaction, Wesfarmers has also agreed to retain its remaining shares in Coles for at least 60 days from completion of the sale, subject to customary exceptions. Wesfarmers Managing Director Rob Scott said that the significant and unprecedented events of the past few weeks have highlighted the importance of balance sheet flexibility to support the Group in a range of economic circumstances. “We have been pleased with the performance of Coles since the demerger and the very important role that Coles is providing, and will continue ...

Delta Global: how remote working will help us revaluate our business agenda

As the impact of the coronavirus crisis grows every day, the retail world has had to evolve in countless ways, as how we shop and connect with each other has shifted dramatically. The pandemic has changed the way that all businesses are operating, not least in relation to working from home for those who are able to. We are living through dark times but it is important to try to stay positive – and the situation may well be giving many companies the chance to take stock of the future, says Robert Lockyer, the owner of luxury packaging company Delta Global from Retail Times https://ift.tt/2UrzUta via IFTTT

Chancellor urged to force councils to free up cash for retailers

// Chancellor Rishi Sunak urged to get billions of tax rebates back into retailers’ bank accounts // BRC & Altus Group say retailers should claim some of the £4.1bn held in reserve by local councils // The extra cash is held by councils to cover the cost of appeals made over business rates bills Chancellor Rishi Sunak is being urged to get billions of pounds worth of tax rebates back into the bank accounts of retailers to help aid cash flow during the coronavirus pandemic. The BRC and rates specialist Altus Group said retailers suffering hardest financially from the coronavirus crisis should be able to claim some of the extra £4.1 billion held in reserve by local councils. Extra cash is held by councils to cover the cost of appeals made over business rates bills, although the process has slowed considerably over recent years, leaving councillors sitting on the much-needed cash. READ MORE: Self-employed to receive financial support during coronavirus pandemic Governmen...

Amazon staff to strike “until the building gets sanitized” after another employee contracts virus

Amazon staff at its key warehouse in New York are planning to strike today in a bid to force the retailer to deep clean the site and provide extra protection for employees. Around 100 workers plan to stage a work stoppage at Amazon’s JFK8 site on Staten Island after an employee was confirmed to have contracted COVID-19. While the employee has been told to self-isolate for 14 days by Amazon, the strike’s lead organiser Chris Smalls says the site has continued to run as usual at since the confirmed case and workers were becoming concerned about the virus spreading “like wildfire”. “Since the building won’t close by itself, we’re going to have to force (Amazon’s) hand,” Smalls said. “We will not return until the building gets sanitized.”# READ MORE:   Amazon confirms 2 new COVID-19 cases in US logistics network as staff protests continue An Amazon spokesperson said that it was “following all guidelines from local health officials and are taking extreme measures to ensure the saf...

Monsoon Accessorize mulls sale as Covid-19 dents trading

// Monsoon Accessorize mulls possible sale of the business after Covid-19 disrupts trading // Restructuring experts at FRP Advisory are currently looking at options Monsoon Accessorize said on Sunday it had been badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic and was looking at a range of options. A possible sale of the business is one option, as restructuring experts from FRP Advisory were drafted in to work on possible scenarios. The fashion retailer said it had been ahead of the financial plan set out at the time of its CVA in 2019 and was trading well until March, but like many other retailers it was impacted by Covid-19 when it was forced to close stores. READ MORE: Coronavirus: Arcadia cancels all orders until further notice Its board is looking at a range of options, including a potential sale of part or all of the business, raising fears for the future of the retailer’s 3500 employees. No decisions have been made at this time, although the retailer was struggling for some...

Coronavirus: Police clampdown on non-essential sales

Police and environmental health officers are trying to prevent convenience store owners from selling products they deem non-essential amid the coronavirus outbreak, media reports suggest. The Association of Convenience Stores said some of its members have been the victims of “overzealous enforcement and a misreading of the rules”, and has told them to continue selling ... This story continues at Coronavirus: Police clampdown on non-essential sales Or just read more coverage at Talking Retail from Talking Retail https://ift.tt/2UrYha3 via IFTTT

Coping with compliance: a retailer’s guide to PCI

By Patrick Juan, Director, Solutions Consultants, Ingenico Enterprise Retail Every day retailers are faced with new regulations – and acronyms – to get their heads round. As tricky as these seem at first, they’re crucial to creating a safe and seamless business environment for merchants and consumers alike. As such, it’s important to get a better understanding of exactly what they entail. One industry body sets the standard for regulations for the payments industry, the Payment Card Industry Security Standard Council (PCI SSC). However it can be somewhat of a minefield for retailers, so let’s take a look at exactly what PCI is, and other FAQs on the topic. What is PCI? In a nutshell, PCI defines a compliance framework for security that merchants must comply with, in order to be allowed to take card payments in their physical and digital stores. Without this compliance, retailers may struggle to find an acquirer to partner with, and may also be fined by card schemes indirectly throu...