The number of deals announced in the global retail sector declined by 43.6% during the week ended April 12, 2020 compared to the previous week, according to GlobalData’s deals database.

Aurojyoti Bose, Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Deal activity in the retail sector has remained subdued due to uncertainty and volatile market conditions since the outbreak of COVID-19.”

Deal activity declined in key markets such as the US while remaining mostly flat in China, the UK and Japan during the week ended April 12.

Announcements of venture financing, equity offering and merger and acquisitions (M&A) deals decreased by 14.3%, 58.3%, and 27.3%, respectively, during the week ended April 12, 2020 compared to the previous week. There were no partnership deal announcements.