Just how tough UK retail’s pandemic mauling has been — especially for fashion — came into stark focus on July 30. More than one in seven stores are now vacant on UK high streets, retail parks and in shopping centres.

Global payments and and shopping services provider Klarna has launched a £3 million Small Business Support Package to help British small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) recover from the pandemic.

The latest initiative to get shoppers spending sees adults in Northern Ireland being given shopping vouchers as part of a £145 million investment to attract people back to high streets.

​Hermès became the latest luxury group to announce a rebound on Friday as the upscale leather goods and fashion maker saw its sales soaring during Q2 and the first half as a whole.

​Consumers want more transparency from brands around eco practices with nearly a third of them thinking not enough is being done, while almost a quarter think there’s too much ‘greenwashing’ simply to improve sales.

Yet more positive news on UK retail rent collections. This time it comes from Midlands-based Mailbox REIT, which recorded a “strong” 92% collection rate for the 24 June-28 September period.

After news this week of Marks & Spencer and JD Sports Fashion improving their digital and logistics focus, Very Group is also highlighting its own credentials.

Unibail Rodamco Westfield has reported H1 results and continued to see “significant Covid-19-related disruption” in the first six months. But it also highlighted its ongoing “resilience in tough operating conditions”.

​UK retail sales continued to grow at a rate well above the long-run average in the year to July, but clothing and footwear stores are yet to see demand recover to usual levels, the CBI’s latest survey has showed.

​The private equity takeover of UK supermarkets giant Morrisons might not be all smooth sailing with news that its biggest shareholder doesn't intend to support the deal.

​Department stores chain John Lewis reportedly has a new trading director who will join the retailer in mid-September. The company has appointed Accessorize’s MD Kathleen Mitchell to the role.

​Any brand or retailer still thinking that ethical issues don't matter should look at a new report. The study says that as many as 35% of online shoppers in the UK will only associate with "responsible" brands. 

​Footfall across the UK rose 3.3% last week (compared to the previous seven days) with a “staggering” 16.5% uplift on Freedom Day last Monday, although from Tuesday onwards the rise was only 1.7%.

​Visitors have been returning to the West End of London in large numbers in the past week since so-called Freedom Day last Monday when just about all lockdown restrictions were eased in England.

Selfridges is for sale with a formal auction process about to start. It hasn’t been announced by its owners, the Westons, but a news report said Credit Suisse will be canvassing prospective buyers “imminently”.

Italian brand Dolce & Gabbana will present its latest couture collection in Venice from August 28 to 30. On the occasion, the brand will also unveil its first homeware line and unprecedented digital collection of NFTs.