London SMEs committing over half of annual revenue to tech investment, data reveals August 22, 2023 London’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are ramping up their tech budgets, allocating over half of their annual revenue to technology investments, according to a report by Barclays. In the capital, SMEs are directing an average of 54 per cent of their annual revenue to technology investments, such as data analytics and artificial intelligence tools, [...]
Retail shares may rise as profit upgrades boost investor confidence August 21, 2023 Retail shares could shoot up over the coming months despite recessionary headwinds, reports from City analysts suggest. Analysts at Peel Hunt said the market was “undervalued,” following a season of profit downgrades issued by major UK retailers that sent investor conference sinking. Many retailers were hit hard by red-hot inflation which led consumers to be [...]
Domino’s franchisee to declare Russian business bankrupt August 21, 2023 The Russian arm of fast food chain Domino’s is likely to close after its London-listed parent company decided to put it into bankruptcy. Apparently failing to find a buyer for the Russian business, DP Eurasia said it has decided its subsidiary should instead file for bankruptcy. The franchisee runs around 170 Domino’s pizza sites in the country, and had previously said it was “evaluating its presence” there. The Russian economy has been hit [...]
Wilko: On-the-brink retailer missed out on £40m in sale of flagship depot August 20, 2023 Wilko’s sale of its flagship depot has returned to the spotlight as the deal appears to show how the business allegedly missed out on £40m amid a period when it was desperately trying to shore up cash. Last November, the troubled high street store offloaded its 1.1m sq ft warehouse in Nottinghamshire for £48m to [...]
Tesco first retailer to cover VAT on period pants following industry led campaign August 20, 2023 Tesco has become the first retailer to cover the cost of VAT on its range of period pants, in the latest push from retailers to government to place the absorbent underwear in the same category as menstrual products so it can be exempt from the tax. On Monday, the ‘Big Four’ grocer will introduce a [...]
HomeServe founder pours £110m in crusade to revive flailing British high street August 20, 2023 HomeServe founder Richard Harpin is injecting £110m of his own cash into medium-sized businesses, aiming to breathe life back into the UK’s beleaguered high streets. After cashing in on the sale of insurance company HomeServe to Brookfield last year for a cool £4.1bn, the home repairs mogul Harpin said he is trying to “help others [...]
M&S digital chief exits amid business boom August 20, 2023 The top dog behind Marks & Spencer’s digital growth is reportedly leaving the retailer just months after being promoted. Chief digital and technology officer Jeremy Pee, who landed the position in January, is understood to be leaving the business to return to Canada. According to a report in The Sunday Times, M&S’s co-chief executive officer [...]
Coca-Cola HBC faces questions over Russia operations August 20, 2023 Questions are being asked about the extent of Coca Cola HBC’s operations in Russia after a report suggested the firm has not fully withdrawn from the country despite pledging to do so. The London-listed firm, which is the European bottler for the Coca-Cola Company, said in March 2022 that it was suspending all operations in [...]
Wilko: ‘Genuine grounds for hope’ over future of troubled retailer as possible buyers circle August 18, 2023 There are “genuine grounds for hope” over the future of stricken retailer Wilko after interest from potential suitors, the GMB union has said. The retailer tumbled into administration last week, putting the future of its 400 shops and 12,500 workers at risk. Administrators from PwC swiftly sought offers from potentially interested firms which could save [...]
London Oxford Street to get new retail space near Tottenham Court Road’s Elizabeth Line with £70m GPE swoop August 18, 2023 London’s West End could be getting a new retail and office space, following the purchase of King Sloane Properties by Great Portland Estates for £70m. The acquisition means GPE get their hands on the freehold interests at 16/19 Soho Square, 29.43 Oxford Street 7 Falconberg Mews, from Belgravia & Chelsea Property Services Limited. Worth around [...]