Judging both the impact of school closures and the likely growth fillip from their reopening is hugely difficult, but the Centre for Economics and Business Research suggests a “substantial” economic bounce of around £70bn a year, or 3.3pc of GDP. The bald statistics show that schools account for 6pc of […]
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China’s largest trade fair goes online as coronavirus shuts doors
SHANGHAI/GUANGZHOU/HONG KONG — China’s biggest import and export fair started on Monday in some of the strangest of circumstances of its six decades — in a digital format and minus physical visitors. Canton Import and Export Fair has been a semiannual diary fixture for businesses across the region since 1957, drawing hundreds […]
Retailers ready to open their doors to the socially distanced shopper
As they are forced to maintain social distancing in stores and maintain the highest hygiene standards, retailers have also been battling with ensuring they continue to provide the best possible experience for shoppers. Cadogan Estates, which owns vast swathes of Chelsea including 300 shops and flagships for Valentino and Versace, is […]
Brushing restraint aside, Uniqlo keeps doors open in Japan
TOKYO — When Uniqlo reopened its flagship clothing store in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza district on May 11 after a monthlong shutdown, masked greeters took the temperatures of customers, who were told to wear masks and sanitize their hands. Nothing was left to chance. “As long as we’re open, we will […]
How John Lewis plans to reopen its doors
“Test and learn” is the mantra adopted by the John Lewis Partnership’s top brass as they map out plans to safely reopen their department stores. Operations chief Andrew Murphy says the employee-owned retailer, which also owns Waitrose, is trying to be humble in the face of the crisis. “If it has taught us anything, […]
Taiwan sees doors open in Europe as virus response earns respect
PRAGUE — The list of Taiwan’s formal diplomatic ties in Europe is short: It begins and ends with the Vatican. But the coronavirus pandemic, which has underscored the island’s isolation and sparked an escalating feud with the World Health Organization, may be opening up some diplomatic opportunities for Taipei. Earlier […]
Coronavirus cracks open diplomatic doors for Taiwan in Europe
PRAGUE — The list of Taiwan’s formal diplomatic ties in Europe is short: It begins and ends with the Vatican. But the coronavirus pandemic, which has underscored the island’s isolation and sparked an escalating feud with the World Health Organization, may be opening up some diplomatic opportunities for Taipei. Earlier […]
Hotels open doors to health care workers and coronavirus patients
TOKYO — As hotels and home rental businesses face huge hits to their business from travel restrictions meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus, some hotel operators and homeowners in the Asia-Pacific region are helping to battle the outbreak by offering rooms to medical workers or patients with mild […]