UK retail sector faces mounting pressures after Budget, warns Begbies Traynor December 27, 2024 UK retailers in critical financial distress has surged by more than 25 per cent, marked by weaker-than-expected retail sales and Budget uncertainty
Food Review: Ranking Wetherspoon’s Christmas menu at new Waterloo pub December 25, 2024 City AM's finest food reviewers, Steve Dinneen, Anna Moloney and Christopher Dorrell, try every single item on the new Wetherspoon's festive menu.
Mike Ashley loses vote to join Boohoo board December 20, 2024 Mike Ashley has lost his bid to become a board member of fast-fashion giant Boohoo, which his Frasers Group is the largest shareholder. More than 63 per cent of votes were cast against the appointment of the billionaire at a general meeting in Manchester. Almost the same number of votes were also cast against Michael [...]
Shops being ‘thwacked by colossal’ employment costs December 18, 2024 Business rates rises totalling £7.6m are being faced by shops in Scotland when the new tax year starts, according to new figures. A total of 4,520 shops liable for the intermediate and higher property rates will experience an increase in their rates bills, according to information obtained by Conservative MSP Craig Hoy and published by [...]
Shoe Zone shares crash as Budget deals major blow to profit plans December 18, 2024 Shares in Shoe Zone have plummeted to their lowest value for more than three years after the company warning the changes announced in the Autumn Budget has forced it to close a number of stores. The Leicester-headquartered retailer issued a trading update to the London Stock Exchange in which it revealed the impacted that “significant [...]
B&Q owner Kingfisher sells underperforming Romanian arm December 18, 2024 Kingfisher has agreed to sell its Brico Dépôt Romania business for £58m to Altex Romania. The sale, which is expected to be completed in the first half of the next financial year, comprises the entire Brico Dépôt Romania business, including its network of 31 stores in 24 cities, distribution operations, and head office in Bucharest. It [...]
Shoe Zone: Firm slams Budget tax hikes as it’s forced to close ‘unviable’ stores December 18, 2024 Shoe Zone has said it has been forced to close “a number” of stores following higher costs announced in the Autumn budget. The affordable footwear company said a combination of lower consumer confidence following the budget, plus “significant additional costs” due to the increases in National Insurance and the National Living Wage, have made the stores [...]
Frasers Group CEO measured up for Hugo Boss board seat December 17, 2024 The chief executive of Frasers Group, Mike Ashley’s retail giant which owns the likes of Sports Direct and House of Fraser, is in line to take a board seat at Hugo Boss. Michael Murray will take part in an election to become part of the German fashion retailer’s supervisory board. Frasers Group currently holds a [...]
B&M hires boss of Iron Bru maker as it battles slumping share price December 17, 2024 B&M has hired the chief executive of Iron Bru maker AG Barr as it battles a slump in its share price. Euan Sutherland will become a non-executive director at the Liverpool-headquartered company from 20 January, 2025, subject to shareholder approval. If appointed, Sutherland will also join the remuneration and nomination committees. Sutherland has been chief [...]
Hollywood Bowl: Record revenue for ten-pin bowling operator but shares drop December 17, 2024 Ten-pin bowling operator Hollywood Bowl has reported record revenue this year as Brits continue to flock to competitive socialising venues. The firm, which operated 85 venues across the UK and Canada, said revenue rose 7.1 per cent in the year ended 30 September 2024, from £215.1m to £230.4m. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation [...]