Office Politics: Communication has never been so important April 30, 2020 The work force of 2020 has changed. As many as 60 per cent of workers no longer work in a traditional environment – almost a fifth normally work at home and a similar number use shared office spaces. Around a third are often on the road or with clients. Plenty do some days in all [...]
Shoppers wary about life after lockdown as restrictions cost UK retailers £2.7bn a week April 30, 2020 Most shoppers are wary about hitting the high street when the coronavirus lockdown is relaxed, the latest research indicated, as it was revealed that UK retailers have lost out on £2.7bn in sales each week. The lockdown, which forced all non-essential UK retailers to close from 23 March, has cost the industry £2.7bn in lost [...]
US Federal Reserve holds rates and expresses caution about recovery April 29, 2020 The US Federal Reserve has kept interest rates on hold at their current record low level and signalled that they will stay there until “the economy has weathered” the coronavirus outbreak. The Fed said coronavirus “is causing tremendous human and economic hardship”. It added that it “poses considerable risks to the economic outlook over the [...]
Oil prices stage comeback to push up stock markets April 29, 2020 Oil prices staged a small comeback this morning, boosting stock markets, as data from the US suggested crude inventories were not filling as fast as had been previously feared. After several weeks of rapid price swings, Brent crude gained three per cent this morning, recovering to $21. The gains boosted global stock markets, with the [...]
There is hope amidst the despair in hospitality if pragmatism wins out April 28, 2020 One is forgiven for being a little bleak about the prospects of the hospitality industry at the moment. There is a general view amongst restaurant operators that the rest of 2020 will essentially be a write off in terms of trading. Reopening of food and beverage (F&B) businesses this year will be slow, gradual and [...]
Recovery plans must prioritise small businesses April 28, 2020 If the UK economy is to get back on its feet as soon as possible following the extreme lockdown, there needs to be a small business-first exit strategy. While it is right that decision is led by public health concerns, for the sake of our hugely important small business population, we need to understand the [...]