Unilever: New boss promises step-change after ‘flat volumes’ in half-year results July 25, 2023 Unilever made a modest profit in the first half of the year with turnover reaching €30.4bn (£26.2), as it was driven by sales in its personal care and beauty market.
Amazon Warhammer deal spurs Games Workshop to record £170m profit July 25, 2023 Warhammer-maker Games Workshop saw bumper profits this morning as it benefitted from a major December deal with Amazon to turn its popular wargame into a TV series. Profits rose from £156m to £170.6m for the year ending in May, which the firm said was the highest it had “generated since flotation 29 years ago.” Revenues, [...]
Matalan: Rainy weather and shift back to stores leads to revenue slump July 24, 2023 Matalan reported a challenging first quarter as poor summer weather impacted sales against the backdrop of cost of living pressures and a shift away from digital. The bargain homeware and clothing retailer said revenues in the thirteen weeks to 27th of May declined eight per cent to £263m. However, in the five weeks to the [...]
12th century fair returns to Square Mile featuring dancers suspended from St Paul’s and a midnight walk July 21, 2023 A fair dating back to the 12th century will be brought back to the Square Mile this September, which will see aerial dancers hanging from St Paul’s Cathedral. Bartholomew Fair, which was last held 1855, will be brought back to the City for the first time in centuries, and will host a number of performances [...]
McDonald’s sets up investigations unit after sexual harassment claims July 21, 2023 The UK boss of McDonald’s has appointed a new unit to crack down on sexual harassment and bullying after admitting the business has “fallen short”. Alistair Macrow said the investigation handling unit will able to refer cases to specialist investigators. It comes after more than 100 past and present workers at the fast food chain [...]
Summer deals help bump retail sales as growth falls at slowest rate in a year July 21, 2023 Retail sales grew by 0.7 per cent in June 2023 with increases across all the main sectors, as warmer weather and a greater selection increased consumer spending. During the month, non-food stores sales volumes rose slightly by 1.0 per cent in June 2023, following a fall of 0.5 per cent in May 2023, according to [...]
‘Utterly pathetic’: M&S boss furious as Gove rejects Oxford Street store demolition plan July 20, 2023 Plans by M&S to demolish its flagship site on Oxford Street have been rejected by Michael Gove. The high street stalwart had previously received a green light from Westminster City Council to tear down its Marble Arch store and replace it with a revamped shop featuring a new cafe, offices and a gym. However, the [...]
Chapel Down increases market share as premium wine sales soar July 20, 2023 Britain’s largest winemaker Chapel Down has upped its market share as demand for its luxury wines heats up. Chapel Down’s market share increased to 36 per cent in the first half of the year, and the brand drove 80 per cent of overall English Sparkling Wine category value growth, according to information tracker Nielsen. The [...]
Return to the office helps hike Fuller’s sales 18 per cent in London July 20, 2023 Fuller’s share price soared over three per cent this morning after the pub chain revealed that like-for-like sales growth in the City and central London grew over 17.9 per cent in the first half of the year. The London-listed company, which has a cluster of pubs in the capital, said that an increase in workers [...]
Premier Foods has no plans for price increases as cost inflation ‘now past its peak’ July 20, 2023 Mr. Kipling maker Premier Foods said that it now believes that the recent period of significant input cost inflation has “now passed its peak”, with the group no longer planning for further price increases during the year. It comes as inflation fell to its lowest level this year of 7.9 per cent, giving shoppers hope [...]