Barratt Developments: Housebuilder blames mortgage misery for plummeting profits September 6, 2023 The number of homes the company built also declined 3.9 per cent during the term to 17,206, as a series of interest rate hikes by the Bank of England made buyers cautious.
WH Smith: Revenues surge 28 per cent as travel hub retailer boosted by summer splurge September 6, 2023 WH Smith said its revenues surged 28 per cent compared to a year ago, as the group was bolstered by a busy period for summer travel. The highstreet stalwart, which has stores in airports and train stations, said revenues across its travel hubs jumped 42 per cent as passengers return to their pre-Covid holiday habits. [...]
Halfords revenues rise as consumers sniff out budget auto care September 6, 2023 Halfords reported a 14.1 per cent hike in revenue for the first five months of the year as the retailer was bolstered by demand for “basic needs” services such as motoring. The motoring and cycling retailer said that revenue in its autocentres division grew 34.6 per cent and retail rose 3.7 per cent. Halfords has [...]
The Notebook: Tim Rodber on the office of the future, English rugby’s warm-up campaign and the biggest workplace trend September 6, 2023 Tim Rodber is CEO of The Instant Group, a workspace consultancy, and played rugby union for Northampton, England and the Lions The future office exists, but it’s had a makeover We are in the midst of a workplace revolution and the traditional world of office landlords and tenants operating in an almost feudal relationship is [...]
A Stoke Newington gelato serves up a reminder that immigration makes London tick September 6, 2023 An 8pm queue for a Stoke Newington gelato joint may not be an obvious starting point for a column about the City’s competitiveness, but start there we will. Every evening, especially in this welcome burst of long-overdue sunshine, there is a line at least 10-or-so outside of Romeo & Giulietta. Amongst the families bribing small [...]
Land of milk and honey? Why New York may not be a panacea for UK firms September 6, 2023 When second-hand car platform Cazoo announced a shift onto the public markets in 2021, it looked from most angles to be a true-blue British success story. Just three years after its foundation, this Amazon of old cars would debut on the stock market and pocket its founder Alex Chesterman the multi-million dollar payday most entrepreneurs dream of. [...]
London Podcast Festival: 7 events not to miss September 5, 2023 The London Podcast Festival returns from 7 – 17 September – here are some events not to miss Watching podcasts live rather than listening to them is catching on: since its launch in 2016 the London Podcast Festival has welcomed over 50,000 visitors and over 600 podcasters. You can book tickets separately for each of [...]
Lidl opens its largest ever warehouse in Luton September 5, 2023 Lidl has opened its biggest warehouse worldwide, which is worth £300m, in Luton creating over 1,000 new jobs. The German discounter said the 1.2m sq ft site in Houghton Regis, Luton, will service 150 stores and open up 1,500 new positions. The regional distribution centre (RDC) will feature solar panels that are set to generate [...]
Wilko: Store confirms over 1,000 job cuts – but talks with HMV owner continue September 5, 2023 Wilko’s administrators confirmed today that it will cut 1,300 jobs and close 52 stores.
Into the blue: Three great watches that are beautiful in blue September 5, 2023 Taking inspiration from the sea and the sky, these are some of our favourite new watch releases from Switzerland and beyond, all looking beautiful in blue. Oris Aquis Pro 4000m The historic watchmaker of Holstein has progressed in leaps, bounds and huge splashes in recent years – from designer savvy to in-house mechanical nous. This [...]