Made scraps hunt for a buyer as sofa seller nears collapse October 27, 2022 Ailing Made.com has said it has cut short its hunt for a buyer, as the homeware firm teeters on the brink of collapse. In an update to the London Stock Exchange on Thursday morning, the furniture retailer said there was “no reasonable prospect” of an offer. Shoppers have been pulling back from spending on big [...]
Ben & Jerry’s owner Unilever warns of shoppers buying less as inflation bites budgets October 27, 2022 Dove maker Unilever has seen consumers buying less of products after price hikes, as the consumer goods titan has ushered in record price rises. Prices increased by 12.5 per cent in the period, the brand’s highest ever hike, as consumers battle cost increases in every corner of life. The London-listed consumer goods giant admitted price [...]
Ben Francis: Gymshark’s move to the West End ‘completely different ball game’ October 27, 2022 How does Gymshark’s 30-year-old founder feel about the fitness apparel firm moving offline and into the West End? “Buzzing,” Ben Francis tells CityA.M. Gymshark reeled in record profits during the pandemic, as stuck at home Brits took to Joe Wicks workouts and online shopping with abandon. With that now in the rear-view mirror, Francis is [...]
In the Square Mile, all the pieces matter to City of London prosperity October 27, 2022 “Earn the commute.” That was the phrase that a host of City hotshots used in a panel discussion earlier this week. It’s a helpful way of understanding the Square Mile’s rebound from the pandemic, and indeed, how it has changed. Today, the City will be at its busiest. Thursday is the new Friday, after all, [...]
Growth for Durex owner Reckitt as punters find new way to warm the home October 26, 2022 CONSUMER giant Reckitt enjoyed another bumper quarter heading into the winter – with strong momentum in one particular category suggesting consumers across the world might have found alternative ways to keep warm amid the energy crisis. The firm said it had seen “strong growth” in its intimate wellness portfolio, which includes Durex and KY, alongside [...]
Greggs opens new café in Primark’s Oxford Street store October 26, 2022 Greggs has opened a new café on the top floor of Primark’s flagship Oxford Street store, following the launch of their collaboration earlier this year. The new 110-seater London café will offer a menu of all Greggs’ customer favourites following the success of the first ‘Tasty by Greggs’ eatery in Primark’s Birmingham shop in February. [...]
Heineken cautions over rapid softening in consumer demand for beer October 26, 2022 Dutch brewing giant Heineken has said it is witnessing growing reasons to be cautious about the future after it recorded “some signs of softness in consumer demand”. The brewer, which also makes Amstel and Birra Moretti, highlighted the changing consumer backdrop as it revealed beer volumes rose by 8.9 per cent on a like-for-like basis [...]
Bloomsbury has ‘highest ever’ first-half profit and sales as books become ‘affordable treat’ October 26, 2022 Bloomsbury had its “highest ever first half sales and profits”, as books become an “affordable treat” during the cost of living crisis. The company’s profit was up 23 per cent on 2021 and almost 300 per cent on two years ago, as students return to schools and universities, while consumers turn to books in the [...]
Made.com suspends homeware orders as it faces collapse October 26, 2022 Beleaguered Made.com has decided “to temporarily suspend new customer orders” following yesterday’s termination of talks with potential buyers. The firm said the latest move was done to “preserve value for its creditors and shareholders”. This comes after the company ended negotiations with all potential buyers yesterday, after no party could commit to a suitable timetable [...]
Virgin Wines expects customers to dodge the pub for drinks at home October 26, 2022 Virgin Wines has anticipated customers will host more social gatherings at home rather than heading to the pub. In annual results, the online wine retailer said it was “mindful” of the potential impact of the cost of living crunch on frequency and order values. However, it said it expected people would be “more likely to [...]