Torrential rain in Spain means spinach shortage and blow to Popeye wannabees January 13, 2017 New Year gym-goers aiming to build up a Popeye-like physique have been dealt a major blow. Torrential rain in Spain has damaged this winter’s spinach crop, and supermarkets are struggling to feed consumer demand. Read more: Manufacturing giant Premier Foods considers price rises due to Brexit vote Waitrose supermarkets, for instance, have signs warning shoppers [...]
And you thought 2016 was bad – Freddos are soon going to cost 30p January 13, 2017 As if we didn't have enough to deal with this Friday 13th, with Snowmageddon raging on (we're told), now Cadbury's owner Mondelez has delivered a shocking blow. The price of a Freddo bar will rise to 30p later this year. Yes, that's 30 British pennies. The recommended retail price for the beloved chocolate frogs will [...]
A wine delivery service uses letterbox-shaped bottles so you don’t miss a delivery January 13, 2017 A London entrepreneur has solved the problem of missed wine bottle deliveries. After winning £20,000 in prize money on CNBC's Pop Up Start Up TV show, Joe Revell said he is launching his subscription-based Garcon Wines in the UK. The Graze-like business model is enhanced by a "revolutionary" bottle design which the company says will allow easier deliveries. Read [...]
Mitchells & Butlers reports strong festive period with sales up 4.7 per cent January 13, 2017 Pub, bar and restaurant group Mitchells & Butlers has reported an uptick in sales during the first quarter of the year, citing a particularly strong festive period. The figures Like-for-like sales growth for the year-to-date increased to 1.7 per cent in the 15 weeks to 7 January, with trading over the festive period "particularly strong [...]
Not hampered: Fortnum & Mason posts record Christmas results January 13, 2017 Fortnum & Mason enjoyed a record festive period, as customers flocked to high-end Christmas gifts, including the retailer’s signature hampers. The figures Like-for-like sales up to 1 January increased by 16 per cent on the previous year, driven by a 22 per cent increase in online sales for the year. Indeed, Fortnum’s online trading contributed [...]
“Brexit tourists” from Hong Kong, China and UAE spent millions on British high streets this Christmas January 13, 2017 Tourist spending is expected to hit a record high this year, but figures to be published today show the weak pound has already given the UK economy a significant boost. So-called "Brexit tourists" took advantage of the pound's slump by spending more than £725m on British high streets in December, the data shows. Payment processor Worldpay analysed transaction data [...]
Muller slims headcount as part of UK corporate restructuring of milk division January 12, 2017 Yoghurt giant Muller has binned nearly 400 London jobs as part of £60m shake-up of its fresh milk and butter operations. After consulting with unions, Muller confirmed the job losses at its north east London dairy in Chadwell Heath. Operations at the plant, which was bought from Dairy Crest dairies in late 2015, will be wound [...]
Shares in Hilton Food Group increased nearly 6 per cent after trading performed ahead of expectations January 12, 2017 Hilton Food Group's shares jumped up today after the international meat packer said its results would surpass expectations. Shares in the UK's leading meat packing business increased 5.93 per cent to 670p in afternoon trading after it released an update ahead of its full-year results, which will be released 30 March. The group outperformed expectations as it grew in [...]
Londis and Budgens owner Booker Group beats expectations with its sales January 12, 2017 Wholesaler Booker Group's share price rose in trading today after the company reported a rise in sales. In the four months to 30 December, Booker Group's non-tobacco like-for-like sales increased 5.1 per cent, far ahead of analysts' expectations of between zero per cent and 0.5 per cent. Total non tobacco sales increased 4.8 per cent. [...]
Moss Bros focuses on online sales and improving margins January 12, 2017 Menswear retailer Moss Bros scored a healthy sales growth in the second half of 2016 as it focussed on improving its margins and its online offering. In the 23 weeks from 31 July to 7 January, Moss Bros' like-for-like sales grew 6.1 per cent on the year before, with online sales jumping 24.9 per cent. [...]