In a world first: New Zealand imposes lifetime tobacco ban on anybody born after 1 January 2009 December 13, 2022 New Zealand today passed into law a unique plan to phase out tobacco smoking by imposing a lifetime ban on young people buying cigarettes. The law says that tobacco cannot ever be sold to anybody born on or after January 1, 2009. It means the minimum age for buying cigarettes will keep going up and [...]
Poundland owner Pepco to accelerate plan for new stores as profit booms December 13, 2022 Poundland owner Pepco will accelerate its store rollout strategy as it looks to entice cash-strapped shoppers, after posting elevated profit. The discount retailer said it was taking an increased focus on new stores in Western Europe and a refit programme in Central and Eastern Europe. Pepco was upping its annual capex spend to between €350m [...]
Silverwood snags stake in shower gel maker Lush for £217m December 12, 2022 Silverwood has acquired a 19.8 per cent stake in shower gel seller Lush as the investment firm says it is well placed for “generating new ideas to invigorate and strengthen” the retailer. Silverwood said the total consideration for the purchase of Lush sale shares sat at around £216.8m. This would be satisfied via an issue [...]
Fever-Tree names new chair to head tonic water titan December 12, 2022 Fever-Tree has appointed Domenic De Lorenzo to chair the tonic water giant. De Lorenzo, will step into the role after the London-listed beverage maker’s annual general meeting in May 2023. He is set to take up the reins from Bill Ronald, who was appointed as chair in 2013 and oversaw the company’s stock market listing [...]
Majestic to freeze wine prices for pubs and restaurants until spring December 12, 2022 Wine seller Majestic has frozen prices for pubs and restaurants until next spring, as the hospitality industry grapples with a tough winter. The country’s largest wine retailer said it would lock its prices for venues until the end of April 2023. Hospitality venues have been struggling with hiked costs across the board with energy to [...]
Monsoon to open new stores as fashion retailer enjoys high street Covid bounce-back December 11, 2022 Monsoon is continuing its Covid bounceback by opening a slew of new stores next year. In an interview with the Financial Times, chief executive Nick Stowe said that he had been surprised by the level of enthusiasm from shoppers to return to the high street after the pandemic. He said the firm could “probably get [...]
Superdry founder debating potential take-private buyout December 11, 2022 Fashion tycoon Julian Dunkerton is mulling a potential buyout of Superdry, reportedly holding talks with private equity firms. It comes as the London-listed retailer has seen its share price plummet 60 per cent in the past year to date. Dunkerton founded the brand in 1985 and now owns 23.9 per cent of the £86m valued [...]
Tesco on the hunt to replace outgoing chairman John Allan December 10, 2022 Tesco is reportedly looking replace outgoing chairman John Allan, who is set to step down in 2024. Sources told Sky News’ Mark Kleinman that external headhunters had been appointed to help with the recruitment process. Byron Grote – former BP finance boss and non-executive director of the supermarket chain – will lead the search internally. [...]
Saturday Spotlight: Cost of living crisis is giving Buy Now Pay Later shot in the arm December 10, 2022 Buy Now Pay Later offerings may be controversial and much-criticised, it seems the cost of living crisis is giving the format a major boost. In fact, it has emerged that nearly half of all Brits are more likely to or are already using Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services compared to a year ago, according [...]
Pubs optimistic ahead of England v France tonight as World Cup proves ‘shining light’ this winter December 10, 2022 Publicans will be eagerly hoping for extra time at the England v France match this evening, when venues will be hosting “one of the biggest nights of the year.” With the Three Lions set to take on the tournament’s quarter final this weekend, pub and bar bosses have said the game will draw in huge [...]