Retailers

Usdaw calls on government to respond to crime report

Retail trade union Usdaw has called on the government to respond to a new report which highlights the cost to business and staff of violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers. The ‘Retail violence: abused and attacked at work’ report by broadcast journalist Jamie Long highlights the 9% increase in violence…

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Bira welcomes £50m fund to prepare high streets for shoppers return

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed a new £50m boost to help local authorities prepare high streets for reopening. High Streets Minister Simon Clarke announced the fund for councils to help their local high streets get safely back to business earlier this week. The ‘Reopening High Streets Safely…

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Turtles stolen from Longcroft pet shop

An investigation has been launched by police after two men reportedly stole four live turtles from a pet shop in Longcroft. According to the Falkirk Herald, the turtles were taken from their tank in Central Aquatics on Saturday afternoon (23 May), before the men left the premises with the animals.…

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‘Many independent retailers are ready to reopen now’, says Bira CEO

The CEO of The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) Andrew Goodacre has said many independent retailers are ready to reopen now, having already worked hard to put measures in place to keep both customers and staff safe. The news comes as non-essential retailers will be allowed to reopen from Monday,…

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Animals killed in pet shop blaze

Several animals have died after a pet shop blaze in Sheerness yesterday (21 May) evening. According to Kent Online, fire crews were called to Cuddles n Bubbles shortly after 5pm, but dozens of animals were unable to be saved. Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke coming out of the building,…

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Pets at Home sales top £1bn for the first time

Total annual revenue at Pets at Home exceeded £1bn for the first time in its history, increasing 10.2% to £1,058.8m in the full-year ended 26 March 2020 .  Like-for-like revenue also surged 9% during the period, while retail like-for-like revenue was up 9.4%, marking a 15% rise on a two-year…

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Pet Place secures £1m loan to support growth

Pet Place announced it has secured a £1m Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) loan from Lloyds Bank in efforts to support its growth and presence.  It comes as the Welsh pet supplies retailer said it has expanded its click + collect service after online orders increased by 600%.  The…

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Trouble ahead for retail vacancy rates, warns BRC

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Local Data Company has said the new BRC-LDC Vacancy Monitor has revealed that the rate of store vacancies increased to 12.2% in March. The monitor also reported a 0.3% decrease in vacancy rates in shopping centres to 14.1% compared with 14.4%. The South West and Wales…

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PFMA notes ‘substantial rise’ in bird food sales

The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) revealed it has seen a “huge shift” in bird food sales in light of the ongoing pandemic.  PFMA members have seen bird food sales shift from stores to online in the last four weeks amid the nationwide lockdown, though warn that many retailers have…

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Dog Artists sales surge amid pandemic

Dog Artists revealed it has seen a rise in the number of requests for pet portraits since the nationwide lockdown began.  The London-based dog painting company consists of eight professional artists specialising in hand painted dog portraits. The group delivers oil paintings to pet owners across the globe.   Each piece…

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