Five Stores to Close and Job Losses Expected

  • LK Bennett launches CVA proposal
  • Five store closures and job losses expected
  • Shops to move to turnover-based rents
  • Covid-19 pandemic impacting sales
  • Administrator appointed in March 2021

Womenswear retailer LK Bennett has launched a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) proposal in an effort to mitigate the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The move will result in five store closures and a small number of job losses, with remaining shops transitioning to turnover-based rents. LK Bennett employs 400 people, 300 of whom are in retail roles, and has 18 stores closed under the lockdown. The company appointed EY as administrator on March 7th, extending administration for a year. Sales in eventwear and workwear have been challenging due to pandemic restrictions and lack of international tourism in London. A spokesperson said sales may not fully recover until 2021.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about LK Bennett’s CVA proposal, store closures, job losses, and the impact of Covid-19 on their business. It also includes quotes from a spokesperson for the company explaining their situation and plans to mitigate the financial impact.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about LK Bennett’s CVA proposal and its impact on store closures and job losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it lacks in-depth analysis or exploration of long-term trends or possibilities, accountability, scientific rigor, and actionable insights.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: LK Bennett, retail industry
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses LK Bennett’s CVA proposal and store closures due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its business, which affects the retail industry and potentially impacts the company’s creditors.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: The article discusses the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on LK Bennett, a womenswear retailer, which has led to store closures and job losses. The pandemic is considered an extreme event, but its impact is rated as Minor due to the focus being on the company’s response to it rather than the event itself.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk