Primark owner takes £1bn extra inflation hit amid ‘most challenging’ economy for many years November 8, 2022 Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) saw inflationary costs leap by £1bn this year alone, as it weathers “highly volatile” economic conditions and hopes to retain shoppers with its low prices. The chairman of the fashion and food business, Michael McLintock, said ABF had “encountered the most challenging economic conditions for many years with sharply [...]
Dreams of ‘future drinking’ bolsters wine merchant Berry Bros November 7, 2022 THE UK’s oldest fine wine merchant Berry Bros & Rudd said profitability soared this year, as wealthy collectors keep their eyes on “future drinking” through hard economic times. The family-owned business said turnover climbed 7.2 per cent to £220.2m in the year to March 2022, whilst EDITDA rocketed 107 per cent. Berry Bros, which also [...]
Tech troubles: Apple iPhone 14 shipments hit by Chinese Covid-19 curbs November 7, 2022 There will be fewer iPhone 14’s under Christmas trees this year after Apple forecast smaller shipments of its latest offering. Apple supplier Foxconn issued a significant production cut as it battled against a Covid-19 outbreak at one of its large facilities in China in mid-October and tough local pandemic restrictions. The Zhengzhou plant – one [...]
Inside House of Campari: Brexit vote of confidence in London as Italian spirits giant moves to Soho November 7, 2022 Campari Group, the producer of spirits brands in the UK such as Aperol, Wray & Nephew, Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum as well as Campari, has opened a new regional headquarters in the heart of the capital. Named “The House of Campari”, the new London base is situated in Great Portland Street, just off Oxford Street. [...]
Gutsy Loungers sees motorway’s Brightside as retailer launches entire new restaurant chain November 7, 2022 Loungers announced today the launch of a new roadside restaurant brand called Brightside, amid a volatile economic environment. The UK cafe and restaurant operator said it has acquired three sites, with the first one set to open on the A38, south of Exeter, in February. The other two sites will open on the A303 and [...]
Struggling retailer Joules begs investors for fresh cash as merciless restructure looms November 7, 2022 Struggling retailer Joules has revealed talks with investors including founder Tom Joule to inject cash into the business alongside a possible company voluntary arrangement (CVA) restructuring as sales continue to disappoint. The group said Mr Joule – who has recently returned to the firm as product director – is among a number of “strategic investors” [...]
Made.com to fall into administration as soon as Monday November 7, 2022 Troubled online furniture retailer Made.com is reportedly set to go into administration as soon as Monday or Tuesday. It comes after attempts to find a buyer failed earlier this month, which prompted the company “to temporarily suspend new customer orders”. Hundreds of staff, most of them in the UK, are expected to lose their jobs, [...]
Retailers bet on coronation boost after extra May bank holiday announced November 6, 2022 Retailers are hoping for a royally big boost next year after the government announces an extra bank holiday for King Charles III’s coronation. In an announcement today, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the UK-wide holiday would fall on Monday 8 May, following the Coronation on Saturday 6 May. “The Coronation of a new monarch is [...]
Cost of living special: Which everyday items have risen in price by how much recently? November 6, 2022 New figures showed recently that retail sales volumes have plummeted to 1.3 per cent lower than pre-coronavirus levels, as rising prices and the cost of living continues to bite. The ONS data said at the end of October that in particular food store sales were down, by 1.8 per cent last month, which is 3.2 [...]
Pastry prices: Watchdog warns Cérélia‘s purchase of Jus-Rol could leave UK shoppers at risk November 4, 2022 Puff pastry giant Cérélia‘s purchase of Jus-Rol could leave UK shoppers at risk of forking out higher prices, the competition watchdog has provisionally found. After an initial investigation, the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) found that a merger of the two retailers raises concerns about the impact on prices and product quality. Ready-to-bake items [...]