Coronavirus

Jun- 2020 -

10 June

Pet Place outlines social distancing measures

Pet Place has outlined the social distancing measures it has implemented across its estate to ensure the health and safety of its staff and customers in light of the pandemic. The retailer revealed it has now installed an automated system that controls the number of customers in-store at any time,…

10 June

70% of shoppers ‘not comfortable’ returning to shops

Consumers remain “deeply cautious” about returning to shops, the latest EY Future Consumer Index has revealed ahead of retailers opening next week (15 June). According to the survey of 1,017 consumers, 80% said they would be “uncomfortable” trying on clothes in a store, while only 25% are “currently comfortable” visiting…

10 June

UK GDP expected to decline 7.2% in 2020 amid ongoing pandemic

The continuing impact of the Covid-19 virus is expected to see the UK economy contract by 7.2% in 2020, with the economy unlikely to be able to fully restart until a vaccine or effective treatments for the virus are available. This is according to KPMG UK’s latest quarterly Economic Outlook,…

9 June

BVNA calls off 2020 congress

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) has announced the 47th BVNA congress will not go ahead this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The congress, which was due to take place in October this year, made the decision to cancel due to a number of BVNA members, exhibitors and speakers,…

9 June

Bira opposed to proposed relaxation of Sunday trading laws

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has expressed concern for proposed relaxation of Sunday trading laws. Under plans being suggested by the government, England could suspend Sunday trading laws for a year in a bid to boost the economy. However, Bira, who has added its support to the ‘Keep Sunday…

8 June

Sunday trading deregulation would be a ‘slap in the face’ for key workers, says Usdaw

Shopworkers union Usdaw has titled government plans for Sunday trading deregulation as a “slap in the face” for key workers and calls out the government failing to provide a “proper strategy “to help the retail industry. This move to deregulate Sunday trading hours would come across as an opportunistic use…

8 June

Pet food industry announce £110,000 donation to animal welfare charities amid Covid-19 pandemic

Pet food manufacturers and suppliers of animal care products have donated £110,000 worth of food and products to help animal welfare charities who are struggling due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. In April the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH), the umbrella body for companion animal rescue…

8 June

Footfall begins ‘journey to recovery’ in May

Consumer footfall may have begun its “long journey to recovery” in the month of May, according to the latest figures from Springboard. Whilst footfall dropped by 73.3% in May, this still marked a “marginal improvement” from the month prior, when footfall saw a decline of 80.1% in light of the…

5 June

Consumer confidence slips further amid UK lockdown

GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index has decreased by two points over the past two weeks. In the market research firm’s third Covid-19 flash report, it found that the measure for the general economic situation of the country dropped five points to -60 between 20 and 26 May. Additionally, the outlook…

4 June

Petra Brand Photography launches virtual sessions to help brands continue marketing

Petra Brand Photography is offering virtual photography sessions to help businesses continue marketing amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The pet sector brand photography company was set up by former veterinary nurse and head receptionist Petra Losonczi Kiss. The company said “even if you cannot utilise Petra Brand Photography’s services in-person for…