Sports Direct confirms it will not open stores during coronavirus pandemic

Earlier, Sports Direct came in for heavy criticism, with Labour’s chairman telling the firm’s majority owner Mike Ashley to “take some responsibility” and “shut up shop”.

B&Q stores will be shut on Tuesday, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered the immediate closure of non-essential stores.

B&Q chief executive Graham Bell said in statement that he had learned “that the DIY and hardware store sector has been categorised as an essential retailer”.

He added: “We are now working out the safest and simplest way to support communities in providing only essential products moving forwards.”

B&Q stores will be closed on Tuesday “as we prepare”, Mr Bell said.

Any firm which closes its stores joins a long list which now includes Primark, McDonald’s, Greggs, Nando’s, Costa Coffee, Eat, and Debenhams.

In contrast, Waitrose announced in a statement that it was backing the Government’s plea with “a set of strong, new measures”.

These would include limiting customer numbers, introducing floor signage to mark safe distances, marshals to manage queues, protective screens at checkouts, and additional security, the company said in a statement.

JD Sports has shut down “essentially all” of its stores across the UK, US and Europe following the spread of coronavirus.

The company said it is experiencing a “major disruption” to business operations but warned current uncertainty means it is too early to provide financial guidance for the year.

It said that its websites continue to accept and fulfil orders, with a “resilient performance” in most territories, but only represented a “comparatively small mitigation” to the impact of profits.

Luxury handbag maker Mulberry has warned it expects to slump to a loss in its second half as it said trading had been “severely impacted” by the coronavirus crisis.