Primark owner ABF thanks sunny spells, digital push and inflation for 13 per cent sales hike June 26, 2023 Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF), has credited warm weather and a revamp of the affordable fashion brands website for a 13 per cent rise in sales – hiking its share price 0.61 per cent when markets opened this morning. The retail giant which also brand such as Twinings, said like for like sales grew [...]
The Notebook: Sir Rocco Forte on the hated tourist tax, counteracting climate hysteria and Boris Johnson’s legacy June 26, 2023 The Notebook is a column where interesting people say interesting things. Today, it’s hotel industry giant Sir Rocco Forte, chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels My hotels in Italy, Germany and Belgium are booming. But occupancy in London is not what it was last year nor what we saw pre-pandemic. Official statistics bear this out, showing [...]
British businesses struggle to source cash amid Bank of England interest rate hikes June 26, 2023 British businesses are struggling to source cash to fuel growth as lenders retrench from the credit market after the Bank of England’s 13 straight interest rate rises, new research out last night showed. Just over nine in 10 mid-sized companies are running into roadblocks when trying to secure financing, prompting them to shelve expansion plans, [...]
Whole Foods: Inflation takes bite out of Amazon owned grocery store June 25, 2023 The Amazon-owned UK division of Whole Foods has seen a rapid decline in earnings for the year as soaring inflation makes Brits hesitant to fork out on its pricey goods. Whole Foods UK reported operating losses of £26.9m up from £17.2m the prior year and its sales also fell to £91.6m down from £94.3m. Amazon [...]
Fast-growing logistics outfit Shift to pick up pieces of Tuffnells June 25, 2023 An up and coming logistics firm is understood to have snapped up pieces of delivery giant Tuffnells Parcel Express, following its collapse earlier this month placing 2,000 jobs at risk. Shift, which was launched five years ago by 29 year old Jacob Corlett has acquired the brand and intellectual property of the British delivery service, [...]
Labour’s first female general secretary Margaret McDonagh dies aged 61 June 24, 2023 Margaret McDonagh, Labour’s first female general secretary, has died at the age of 61. The politician, who sat in the House of Lords as Baroness McDonagh, was described as an “unstoppable force of nature” and a “tireless champion for women” as tributes were paid on Saturday. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer hailed her “absolutely essential” [...]
Chechen leader says his forces are ready to help put down Wagner mutiny June 24, 2023 Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said on Saturday his forces were ready to help put down a mutiny by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and to use harsh methods if necessary. Kadyrov in a statement posted on Telegram called Prigozhin’s behaviour “a knife in the back” and called on Russian soldiers not to give in to [...]
Rishi Sunak ‘in touch with allies’ about Wagner group rebellion in Russia June 24, 2023 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he is in touch with allies about the armed rebellion led by the Wagner mercenary group in Russia, which UK defence officials have described as “the most significant challenge” to the Kremlin in recent times. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the actions of the private military company a “betrayal”, after [...]
Rishi Sunak pays tribute to troops on Armed Forces Day June 24, 2023 Rishi Sunak has paid tribute to the “phenomenal precision and professionalism” of British troops as events are held across the UK to mark Armed Forces Day. Parades and flypasts will take place around the country to thank the military community, with Falmouth playing host to this year’s national event with a 1,000-strong tri-service parade of [...]
Wagner group rebellion call marks ‘most significant challenge’ to Russia – MoD June 24, 2023 An armed rebellion led by the Wagner mercenary group marks “the most significant challenge to the Russian state” in recent times, according to UK defence officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the actions of the private military company a “betrayal”, after its chief Yevgeny Prigozhin vowed to topple Moscow’s military leadership. In its latest intelligence [...]