Primark owner Associated British Foods ‘dodging most economic bullets’ as outlook improves February 27, 2023 Primark owner Associated British Foods has upped its outlook for the full year after reporting a jump in sales at the budget fashion chain as consumer spending held up better than expected. The group said sales at the retailer, which has 419 stores, are set to rise by 16 per cent at actual exchange rates [...]
Meatless Farm wants to drive down prices to win cash-strapped customers February 27, 2023 Morten Toft Bech, the Dutch founder of plant-based company Meatless Farm, launched his company in an effort to save the planet. “Animal protein is unsustainable,” claims Bech, comparing it to driving an old car full of polluting fuel. The public has been made aware of this argument for years, with numerous documentaries warning about how [...]
Food shortages heap more pressure on struggling restaurants and cafes February 26, 2023 British restaurateurs have said shortages of fruits and vegetables are proving “very problematic” for business amid an already challenging period for the sector. “We’re experiencing mass shortages with the supply of fruit and vegetables. We are struggling to get avocado and berries in particular,” Philip Inzani, founder of Polo 24 Hour Bar, a cafe and [...]
Gousto forced to slash jobs after food delivery service’s ambitious hiring plans fall flat February 24, 2023 Meal kit delivery service Gousto, is understood to have cut its workforce by some 14 per cent as the group’s ambitious hiring plans have taken a hit. According to reports in Sky News, the convenience service made all redundancies at the end of last year and fewer than 100 employees were let go. Earlier this [...]
Retailers demand scrapping of ‘£2bn’ waste strategy policy amid fears it will increase consumer costs February 24, 2023 The UK’s largest retailers are urging the government to scrap its waste strategy policy, or risk forcing prices up for consumers who are already facing a cost of living crisis. A draft letter obtained by Sky News, which it is understood will be sent to government officials next week, outlines industry concerns about the costs [...]
Embattled Love Hemp dragged out of weeds by ‘special purpose’ CBD investor for undisclosed sum February 23, 2023 Embattled CBD brand Love Hemp has been rescued from collapse, weeks after the cannabis firm was forced to draft in administrators amid plummeting sales. The group, which has been promoted by boxer Anthony Joshua, was acquired for an undisclosed price by Portillion SPV1 Limited. The group has been recently founded by Kamran Sattar, the chief [...]
Inflation bites into profits of Actimel owner Danone with sales up 13 per cent to £23.7bn February 22, 2023 French food giant Danone, producer of Actimel, has reported a full year increase in sales but admitted that soaring inflation and a hike in costs had impacted its profit margin. The food manufacturer said sales increased to €27.7bn (£23.7bn) in 2022, up 13.9 per cent on a reported basis and 7.8 per cent on a [...]
Next: Share price up for luxury interior brand Sanderson Design after £2.6m licensing deal February 22, 2023 The share price of luxury interior furnishings group Sanderson Design skyrocketed 12 per cent to 132.7pt this morning, after a £2.6M licensing agreement with London listed retailer Next was announced. The group will sell its Clarke & Clarke products, which includes wallpaper and rugs, in Next’s online and physical stores, with the deal meaning a [...]
Last orders? Pubs ‘won’t stay afloat’ without energy bill help in Spring Budget, hospitality bosses warn February 22, 2023 The hospitality sector has urged that many businesses “wont stay afloat” if the government does not look to provide extra support with soaring energy bills in its upcoming spring budget. “The steep increase in utility costs is having a significant impact on our business, it’s now one of the largest cost to manage,” Simon King [...]
Migration Museum gets new home in Square Mile as refugee developer stumps up 60-years rent-free space February 21, 2023 A multi-million pound development in the Square Mile will give a new home to the Migration Museum and provide hundreds of affordable apartments. 65 Crutched Friars near Tower Hill will be transformed into a 21-storey state-of-the-art site and has been granted 60-years rent-free space by the developer. Dubbed “Britain’s gateway to the world for thousands [...]