Tier four fears: Retail CEOs on shop closure ‘body blow’ and port delays

Empty Oxford Circus

After the toughest of years, retailers were dealt another savage blow in the crucial final trading week ahead of Christmas.

A surge in Covid cases and fears over a new variant of the disease plunged 21 million people, including residents of London, into new tier four restrictions, including the closure of so-called ‘non-essential’ stores.

As if that was not enough, the consequent closure of the French border throttled a key supply route into the country and the delivery of some goods, especially produce, looked as if it was in jeopardy. 

It was a perfect storm to end a tempestuous year. What will be the implications for the retail industry?

 

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