The impact of COVID-19 has been less severe in Sweden compared to many other markets, with this being largely due to the government’s decision not to introduce a lockdown. Instead, the country’s strategy has to a large extent been built on voluntary quarantining and social distancing, with virtually all shops remaining open during 2020. Retailing...
The government’s announcement of a lockdown from 16 March in an attempt control the spread of COVID-19 in Austria included the closure of non-essential retailers and foodservice, while essential services including grocery retailers, chemists/pharmacies, petrol stations and pet shops and superstores were permitted to remain open with social...
Since there was no strict lockdown due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), most retailers were not negatively impacted by mandated closures. From 13 March 2020, closures only concerned businesses with physical contact, such as dentists, hairdressers, physiotherapists, massages, swimming pools, restaurants and schools. Reopening gradually began from...
Store closures, suppressed incomes and economic uncertainty led to a significant drop in store-based retailing in 2020. Apparel and footwear specialist retailers recorded the highest decline as customers worked from home and attended fewer social events. Retailing in Czech Republic report offers insight into key trends and developments...
Overall, retailing in the Netherlands performed well in 2020, as many local consumers who were either able to continue working from home or had their salaries covered by government assistance programmes had excess disposable income. Unemployment levels remained fairly low and expenditure on things such as foodservice and travel was minimal,...
France’s retailing industry experienced numerous major challenges during 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in numerous fundamental changes to consumer behaviour. However, it should be noted that the difficulties faced across the industry during 2020 were not as severe as what was seen in travel and tourism and consumer foodservice, among...
COVID-19 factors had strong impacts on retailing in 2020. A strong GDP decline, alongside a significant contraction in foodservice and in-store shopping, determined a very particular situation in retailing. The biggest gains are seen in grocery retailing, with strong shifts from foodservice to retail. As such, proximity shops such as convenience...
Unlike many other countries around the world, Finnish authorities did not impose a full lockdown on the country in 2020, with no forced retailing closures in Finland, aside from consumer foodservice during the first wave of the pandemic. Retailing in Finland report offers insight into key trends and developments driving the industry....
The impact of COVID-19 began to be felt in Belarus in mid-March. The authorities in Belarus did not introduce a lockdown or movement restrictions. However, many Belarusians chose to self-isolate and some chose to work remotely from home. Belarusians who work in tourism and in foodservice were the first to feel the effect of the pandemic. Some...
The COVID-19 pandemic first arrived in Mexico in February 2020, resulting in the government attempting to curb the spread of the disease through a lockdown and subsequently all non-essential businesses were closed in April and May, which had a large negative impact on retail in the country. Retailing in Mexico report offers insight...