It seems incredible that barely a month ago, retail's focus continued to be around how to embrace the change being brought about by the digital revolution. And then came COVID-19 which hit China in January and then in a matter of weeks swept through Asia to Europe and the Americas connecting all countries of the world.

This is first and foremost a global healthcare crisis, a pandemic as classified quickly by the World Health Organisation. Doctors and nurses around the world have been battling with amazing skill and dedication and often in the face of unbelievable challenges together with emotional and physical pressures to save as many lives as they can. But what has made this pandemic so unique has been its far-reaching impact on the global economy where lockdowns and the closure of much of commercial life have brought with it the threat of recession.

Retailing around the world has found itself right at the heart of this global crisis. Great swathes of the industry have been forced to close stores and many thousands if not millions of people have either lost their jobs permanently or temporarily. Ecommerce has seen unimaginable growth figures matched only by what has happened in the food and pharmacy retail sectors. Panic buying around the world emptied shelves and supply chains have struggled to keep-up despite no lack of product availability. Retailing has had to learn and adapt with incredible speed and skill to fulfill its enhanced role in literally feeding populations.

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The Retail World 2020: retailing in a time of crisis-World Retail Congress