Coronavirus concerns are accelerating consumers’ demand for digital, according to a new report from Periscope by McKinsey. The consultancy firm's analytics solution surveyed more than 2,500 consumers in the UK, US, France and Germany, revealing that the appetite for digital is surging with no signs of slowing down, brand loyalty remains vulnerable, and there is a new premium on safety and convenience.

E-commerce continued to outperform pre-pandemic levels last week, as in-store shopping began to show signs of recovery following the easing of lockdown restrictions. Data collected from more than 10,000 e-commerce merchants by fraud protection company Signifyd Ecommerce, found that European retailers were tracking sales levels 30 per cent higher than the start of the pandemic from 27 July to 2 August.

Hammerson plans to raise £552 million, while offloading £274 million worth of assets to help offset 'the extraordinary disruption caused by COVID-19'. The shopping centre owner is proposing a rights issue, alongside the sale of the company’s 50 per cent stake in VIA outlets, to bring in a combined £825 million.

WHSmith is set to cut 1,500 jobs as the Coronavirus hits sales on the High Street and in transport hubs. The retailer expects to report a headline loss before tax for the financial year ending 31 August of between £70 million and £75 million.