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COVID-19 UPDATE
CONSUMER SPENDING GROWS IN AUGUST
THE LATEST BARCLAYCARD CONSUMER SPENDING REPORTREVEALS THAT SPENDING GREW IN AUGUST, THE FIRST GROWTHSINCE FEBRUARY.
Consumer spending grew 0.2% in August, the first uplift since February, as Brits enjoyed the last of summer by socialising and holidaying in the UK, according to the latest Barclaycard Consumer Spending Report.
The report found that spending on essential items grew 5.1% year-on-year, with growth largely driven by supermarket shopping which was up 14.9%. Lower prices at the petrol pump contributed to fuel spend declining 13.3%, although the number of transactions returned to similar levels seen last year, down just 2.4%.
Despite a steady return to the high street, the data indicates the months of lockdown have accelerated a sustained shift towards online shopping. The highest category increases are seen across supermarkets, which showed a considerable 102.7% YOY rise as the popularity of online food orders prevailed.
SOCIAL GATHERINGS LIMITED TO SIX IN ENGLAND
THE GOVERNMENT IS FORCED TO TIGHTEN LOCKDOWNRESTRICTIONS AFTER A SPIKE IN CORONAVIRUS CASES.
steep rise in coronavirus cases has led to the Government outlawing gatherings of more than six people in England from Monday coming. The law change will ban groups of more than six of all ages meeting anywhere socially indoors or outdoors.
It will not apply to schools, workplaces or Covid-secure events including weddings, funerals and organised team sports. Those failing to copy face a £100 fine, doubling on each offence up to a maximum of £3,200.
The rules follow the enforcement of a local-lockdown in Bolton and a widening of the mini-lockdown in the Glasgow area.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the rules would be in place for the “foreseeable future”.
TESCO PREPS UFC FIRST
Tesco is set to launch its first urban fulfilment centre (UFC) as it gears up to capitalise on the home delivery boom.
Construction of the facility in West Bromwich was paused in March but Tesco was able to recently complete the work. Automated UFCs will help the supermarket make use of extra space in larger stores as Tesco ramps up its focus on same day delivery, delivery within an hour of placing an order and enhanced Click & Collect capabilities.
Two more UFCs will follow this year and at least another 10 are scheduled to go live in 2021.
TOTAL SCOTTISH DEATHS ‘UP A THIRD’
The total number of deaths in Scotland rose by a third between April and June this year, according to National Records of Scotland figures with Covid-19 cited as the underlying cause of 3,739 of the total 18,201 deaths. The figure represents a hike of more than 4,500 on the five-year average. Covid-19 accounted for 83% of the ‘excess‘ deaths. Deaths from diabetes, dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease were about a quarter higher than the five-year average, although deaths from transport accidents were down by over 69%.
JUST EAT ADDS BITCOIN PAYMENT
Food delivery service Just Eat is now accepting payment by Bitcoin in France, the result of a partnership with cryptocurrency payment provider Bitpay. The deal covers around 15,000 restaurants in France and the company does not charge any fee on Bitcoin payments.
Customers must create a digital wallet by downloading software but can then pay for their deliveries in Euros based on the current Bitcoin rate on the Bitpay platform.
The addition of crypto payments comes after the acquisition of Just Eat France by Takeaway. com which has been accepting Bitcoin payments since 2017.
EARLY XMAS
Central England Co-op hasannounced that mince piesand Christmas puddings areon sale from today in an effortto meet customer demandas shopping trends shiftdramatically under Covid-19.The retailer said the movefollowed customer demand.
FOOTFALL PLUMMET
BRC-Shoppertrak datacovering August showsfootfall in Scottish shoppingcentres and malls down 43%compared to the same periodlast year, the second weakestperformance of any part ofthe UK. Shopper footfall inGlasgow was down 35% lastmonth compared to the sameperiod last year.
JJ RECORD SALES
JJ Foodservice has reported record sales as the eating out market picks up and home consumers keep shopping in bulk. For four weeks in August, total sales increased by 9.27% compared to the same period the previous year. JJ picked up thousands of new customers after launching a business-toconsumer service at the start of the pandemic.
