IKEA pushes back opening of Oxford Street site August 24, 2023 IKEA is pushing back the date to open its flagship store on Oxford Street, with shoppers forced to hold out an extra 12 months to buy flat pack goods on the iconic London street. Two years ago the Swedish retailer inked a £378m deal to takeover the former Topshop site, after its parent company Arcadia collapsed [...]
John Lewis faces fresh backlash for Ealing build-to-rent scheme August 24, 2023 John Lewis is facing renewed backlash from Ealing locals for its attempts to build hundreds of rental homes in two block towers within the London borough as part of its push to diversify from retail. The struggling department and grocery brand has submitted its finalised development plans to Ealing Council, with an ongoing consultation process [...]
Travelodge reveals record first half as blockbuster London summer drives demand August 24, 2023 Budget hotel chain Travelodge has revealed a record first half, with underlying earnings up 48 per cent, thanks to booming demand for both business and leisure trips and its best ever night in London. Travelodge reported its highest ever revenue night in London in July, as Brits flocked to Blur’s concert at Wembley and Bruce Springsteen [...]
PureGym: “If we build it, they will come” says gym chain riding out cost hikes August 24, 2023 Value fitness club PureGym appears to have muscled its way through the start of the cost of living crisis with revenues spiking almost a fifth. During the quarter it steamed ahead with its expansion plans to open one new site per week, amounting to 20 new sites in the UK. The business, which offers competitive [...]
Pret-A-Manger doubles discount on Club Pret as chain looks to take scheme international August 24, 2023 Pret-A-Manger will double the discount it offers on its Club Pret subscription from 10 per cent to 20 per cent as the chain rolls out the loyalty scheme worldwide. Lovers of the cafe’s sandwiches and snacks will now enjoy further discounts alongside five ‘free’ coffees a day. However, Pret will still charge £30 for the [...]
London’s West End ‘picking up’ after £102m worth of deals bolsters high street August 23, 2023 The West End showed signs of “picking up” in July as demand from businesses to secure a spot in London’s premier shopping district led to a cluster of five deals totalling £102.2m taking place. So far this year some 58 property transactions have taken place and turnover year to date has reached £1.92bn. This is [...]
Holidaymakers rejoice as JD Wetherspoon opens SECOND pub at Heathrow airport August 23, 2023 In some great news for London jetsetters who enjoy a frosty glass of lager before taking off, JD Wetherspoon has announced it is opening its second pub at Heathrow airport. The budget boozer will open ‘The Star Light’ in Terminal 4 of the busy Hounslow travel hub in the place of former site of Carluccio’s [...]
Ocado unveils price cuts on 200 goods as shares rise slightly August 23, 2023 Ocado’s share price grew just under one per cent on Wednesday following news it would slash prices on 200 more goods to entice customers. In recent months the tech-driven supermarket, which is owned as part of a joint venture with M&S, has been distancing itself from its reputation as an upmarket grocer with the brand [...]
Waitrose: Supermarket gets with the times and launches £5 meal deal August 23, 2023 Upmarket grocer Waitrose has followed in the footsteps of its fellow highstreet stores and launched a meal deal offer. It will launch the British lunchtime staple, which usually consists of a sandwich, drink and snack, on the 30th of August, pricing it at £5. Waitrose has sold pre-packaged sandwiches and wraps in its stores but [...]
Reckitt: Retiring CFO to be replaced by Nike finance boss August 23, 2023 Consumer goods giant Reckitt has announced the retirement of its chief financial officer, Jeff Carr, drafting in a business veteran from Nike to replace him. The firm said that Carr will step down next March after nearly four years at the company, with Reckitt praising him for his reducing its net debt and guiding the [...]