Stationery chain slashes jobs, fashion store's CVA, and crisis for the trade show industry as events pulled (full list of lost trade exhibitions here)
WHSmith sheds staff
Ian Carrotte of ICSM Credit said the news that WHSmith were to cut 1,500 jobs was proof of how the pandemic had thrown the printing and stationery industries into a recession. A number of printers had gone to wall during the covid-19 crisis and one of the largest stationers known as Spicers had collapsed already.
He said: “WHSmith has been hit in the high street by low levels of footfall but they are also a feature of airports and train stations. There is normally strong business at transport hubs, which has been damaged by a drop in people travelling. Couple that with the drop in business for printers and stationers – the mainstay of the WH Smith brand and it comes as no surprise that this usually sound business is having to cut costs.”
WHSmith expects to report a headline loss before tax for the financial year ending 31 August 2020 of between £70m and £75m.
Drapers report on latest retail closure
Grace Whelan of Drapers has reported on retailer M&Co who are expected to agree a pre-pack administration deal that will see its assets sold back to McGeoch family.
She wrote: “The deal is expected to result in the permanent closure of 50 of M&Co’s stores and the loss of several hundred jobs, Sky News reports. It currently operates from 262 stores in the UK and employs around 2,700 staff. M&Co appointed Deloitte in June to consider options including a partial or full sale via a pre-pack administration. A number of turnaround funds and private equity firms were approached. In its most recent results, the retailer reported a 40% drop in operating profits to £3.6m for the year to 28 February 2020. Net debt reduced from £19.2m to £8.7m in the year.”
Trade shows pulled leaves 30,000 jobs at risk
The Events Industry Alliance (EIA), the trade show organisers’ lobby organisation, said they have fears over the cancelling of trade exhibitions across the country with around 30,000 jobs could disappear along with £8bn in the UK economy.
The EIA believe that 60% of the supply chain companies are also not expected to reopen in October as furlough comes to an end, according to their research.
Ian Carrotte of ICSM Credit said that with the scratching of some of the biggest trade shows the economy had taken a massive hit. The Print Show, Advanced Manufacturing, IFEX, BBC Good Food Show and the CV Show were amongst scores of exhibitions at the NEC and elsewhere that had been cancelled.
The industry lobby group Meet Expo said the industry needed a date from the Government when they could restart opening shows as a minimum of three months is needed as a lead time. They said: “The exhibitions industry plays a critical role for the UK economy, generating £11bn in economic activity and supporting 114,000 jobs. The industry also creates a trading platform for 178,000 businesses, of which approximately 140,000 are Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME’s), which have seen a significant impact on their sales by the cessation of exhibitions activity.”
Chris Skeith of the EIA said: “The exhibitions sector is a vital enabler of economic activity in almost every sector of the UK economy and failure to provide a go-live date impacts the ability of almost 180,000 businesses to recover. These businesses, including 140,000 SMEs, rely on tradeshows to meet customers and make sales, to launch new products and enter new markets, and the continued closure of events will have a negative impact on employment far beyond the events sector.”
A list of the shows from Meet Expo:
|
United Kingdom - Aberdeen |
Scottish Skipper Expo - Exhibition for the Fishing and Processing Industry |
postponed to 13-14 November 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - Alcester |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Antrim |
postponed to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Ardingly |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Aviemore |
postponed to 15-17 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Bakewell |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Belfast |
postponed to 17-19 November 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
Advanced Manufacturing - Exhibition for Advanced Manufacturing Technologies |
now postponed to 2021 |
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
Air-Tech - Exhibition and Conference for Compressed Air, Vacuum and Generators |
postponed to 25-27 January 2021 |
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
now exhibition date July 2020 cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
BBC Good Food Show Summer - The Summer BBC Good Food Festival |
postponed to 2021 |
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 30 October-1 November 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed nw to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 11-12 Seotember 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 25-27 January 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 2-3 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
Fluid Power & Systems - International Fluid Power and Motion Control Exhibition |
postponed to 25-27 January 2021 |
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 12-14 April 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 22-23 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
exhibition date April 2020 cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 2-3 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
MACH - The UK's Premier Manufacturing Technologies Exhibition |
postponed to 25-28 January 2021 |
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 27-28 June 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 29-30 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
exhibition date March 2020 cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
MULTIMODAL - International Exhibition for the Freight, Transport, Logistics and SCM Industries |
postponed to 4-6 November 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed now to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 7-9 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
Nursing in Practice - Primary Care Exhibition and Conference |
postponed |
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 19-21 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
cancelled 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
Plant & Asset Management - Exhibition and Conference for Plant Maintenance |
postponed to 25-27 January 2021 |
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
Sign & Digital UK - The UK's Premier Sign Making, Display Solutions and Digital Printing Event |
postponed to 2-4 March 2021 |
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
Subcon - National Contract and Subcontract Manufacturing Show |
now postponed to 2021 |
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed again to 27-29 November 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 13-15 April 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
now postponed to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 22-23 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed to 22-23 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
The Security Event - The Security Event – powered by Security Essen |
postponed to 22-23 September 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
postponed again to 9-10 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Birmingham |
THE WORLD BIOGAS EXPO - Trade Show dedicated to Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas |
postponed to 7-8 October 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - Bristol |
The Source Trade Road Show - Hospitality, Catering and Food Exhibition |
postponed to 2021 |
|
United Kingdom - Builth Wells |
Royal Welsh Spring Festival - Smallholding and Rural Life Exhibition |
cancelled |
|
United Kingdom - Buxton |
HILLHEAD - International Exhibition for the Minerals and Heavy Construction Industries |
postponed to 2021 |
|
United Kingdom - Cambridge |
BASEES - British Association for Slavonic and East European Studies - Annual Conference |
cancelled |
|
United Kingdom - Cardiff |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Coventry |
IntraLogisteX - Exhibition for Logistics and Supply Chain Solutions |
postponed again to 29-30 September 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - Coventry |
Making Pharmaceuticals - Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Exhibition |
postponed to 26-27 October 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - Coventry |
cancelled 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - East Malling |
Fruit Focus - The Leading Technical Event for Soft, Stone and Top Fruit Growers |
exhibition 2020 cancelled, but virtual format |
|
United Kingdom - Edinburgh |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom -Farnborough |
postponed to 2022 |
|
|
United Kingdom -Farnborough |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - Glasgow |
postponed to 14.-15. September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Glasgow |
postponed to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Glasgow |
postponed to 29 October-1 November 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Harrogate |
postponed to 11-13 April 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Harrogate |
postponed again to 18-20 Ocober 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Harrogate |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Harrogate |
postponed to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Harrogate |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - High Wycombe |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Knutsford |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Leeds |
now cancelled 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled, virtual 1-3 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
Accountex - Exhibition for Accountants and Finance Directors |
postponed to 18-19 November 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
Ambition - The EPRR Expo - Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response Exhibition |
postponed to 8-10 September 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
A Place in the Sun Live - Overseas Property and Real Estate Exhibition |
postponed to 2021 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
ASME TURBO EXPO - Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exhibition |
cancelled, virtual 21-25 September 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 10-11 November 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 20-21 October 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
Cake International - The Sugarcraft, Cake Decorating & Baking Show |
cancelled |
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed now to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
Cloud & DevOps World - Cloud Computing for Businesses - Exhibition and Forum |
cancelled, virtual 1-3 September 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 8-10 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
DMWF Global - Digital Marketing Technologies Conference and Expo |
2020 digital only |
|
United Kingdom - London |
now cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 11-12 October 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
EWMA - Industry Trade Fair of the European Wound Management Association Congress |
postponed to 18-20 November 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 8-10 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
FIREX International - International Exhibition for Fire Prevention, Detection and Protection |
postponed to 8-10 September 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 8-10 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 24-25 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 22-31 August 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
House Fair & Grow London - Exhibition for Interior Decoration |
postponed |
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
IDENTITY WEEK - Trusted Identity Solutions - Conference and Exhibition |
postponed to 17-18 November 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 11-13 May 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 2022 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
IFSEC International - The Global Event for the Security Industry |
postponed to 8-10 September 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
ISC LONDON 2020 - International Sports Convention and Exhibition |
cancelled 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 1-3 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
Just V Show - Exhibition for Vegetarian and Vegan Food, Drink and Living |
postponed to 16-18 October 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
now cancelled 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled, but virtual format |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
London Expo - International Garments, Textiles, Accessories Trade Fair |
postponed to 16-18 June 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
now cancelled 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 11 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 10-11 November 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 12-13 May 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
exhibition date May 2020 cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
now cancelled 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
Natural & Organic Products Europe - Natural and Organic Products Europe Trade Show |
postponed to 18-19 April 2021 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 8-10 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 10-11 November 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
now cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 18-19 November 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
cancelled, virtual 1-3 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 16-18 October 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 4-5 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed now to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
The Meetings Show UK - Hosted Buyer Led Show for the UK Meetings Industry |
postponed to 19-20 October 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
exhibition date April 2020 cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
TLTF - The London Textile FairTLTF - The London Textile Fair |
postponed |
|
United Kingdom - London |
UC EXPO - Connecting Business - Exhibition for Business Enterprise Communications |
postponed to 30 September-1 October 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to 2021, Virtual 23-24 September 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed to April 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - London |
now cancelled 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Maidstone |
postponed to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Malvern |
postponed to 19 October 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Malvern |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Manchester |
CIH - Housing - Chartered Institute of Housing Conference and Exhibition |
postponed to 2-4 September 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - Manchester |
postponed to 4-5 November 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Manchester |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - Manchester |
Nursing in Practice - Primary Care Exhibition and Conference |
postponed |
|
United Kingdom - Manchester |
The Manchester Cleaning Show - Regional Cleaning and Support Services Exhibition |
postponed to 15-16 September 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - Manchester |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Manchester |
Venues + Events Live - Ausstellung für Veranstaltungsorte und Events |
postponed to 2021, Virtual 29 September 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - Newbury |
postponed to 28-30 August 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Newcastle upon Tyne |
Nursing in Practice - Primary Care Exhibition and Conference |
postponed to 25 November 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - Peterborough |
postponed to 31 July-2 August 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Shepton Mallet |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Shrewsbury |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Southampton |
postponed |
|
|
United Kingdom - Southport |
cancelled |
|
|
United Kingdom - Stoneleigh |
postponed to 2-3 December 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Stoneleigh |
postponed to 2021 |
|
|
United Kingdom - Stoneleigh |
CUK - Ceramics UK - Exhibition for the Technical Ceramics Industry |
postponed to 2-3 December 2020 |
|
United Kingdom - Wetherby |
postponed to 11 October 2020 |
|
|
United Kingdom - York |
cancelled |
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