Last orders? Bittersweet summer for pubs as rising costs out-shadow post-pandemic demand July 20, 2022 Packed beer gardens herald the arrival of summer in Britain. For publicans, this summer presents a chance to rebuild after two years’ of Covid-19 restrictions battering trade. Yet, with inflation surpassing 40-year highs and strike action threatening to severe revellers’ passages into city centres, will publicans be able to make up for those long, lost [...]
Consumers turn to instant noodles in cost of living crunch, says Premier Foods boss July 20, 2022 Shoppers are increasingly turning to budget meals amid the cost of living crisis in the UK, the boss of consumer goods giant Premier Foods said today. The popularity of its instant ramen brands Nissin and Batchelors, which own Cup Noodle and Super Noodles respectively, in the second quarter of this year have jumped, as household [...]
In The Style entices new customers with influencer partnerships as it posts pre-tax loss July 19, 2022 Digital fashion retailer In The Style has seen its share price slump after posting a pre-tax loss in its debut full-year results as a public firm. Shares were down more than 35 per cent on Tuesday afternoon after CEO Sam Perkins admitted the year ahead would likely be “a challenging one for consumers and retailers.” [...]
Amazon files lawsuit against 10,000 Facebook groups as battle with fake reviews continues July 19, 2022 Amazon has filed a lawsuit against more than 10,000 Facebook groups this morning in an attempt to crack down on fake reviews.
Ocado Retail boss to step down as online grocer begins hunt for new CEO July 19, 2022 Ocado Retail has said its CEO Melanie Smith will step down next month, after three years at the helm of the business. Former deputy CEO of the company, Lawrence Hene, will take over on an interim basis while a hunt for a permanent replacement takes place. The supermarket has struggled with waning average basket spending [...]
Joules: Margins continue to be under pressure as shoppers seek out sale items July 19, 2022 Prestige retailer Joules has said discount-hungry consumers have intensified pressures on margins while expecting yearly profit to surpass expectations. The clothing and lifestyle brand admitted gross margins had “remained under significant pressure” after “consumer appetite” was focused on marked down products. Shoppers have been hunting for reductions amid monster hikes in energy and fuel bills, [...]
Hotel Chocolat boss warns of melting profits next year amid cost of living crisis July 19, 2022 Hotel Chocolat revenue has risen more than a third over the past year, as it braces for a spending slow down amid the cost of living crisis in the UK. Revenue hit £226m in the 12-month period, up from £165m a year prior and ahead of market forecasts. However, co-founder and CEO Angus Thirlwell said [...]
Steep losses looming: Made.com warns job cuts are coming to slash costs after dive in consumer spending July 19, 2022 Made.com said this morning it has launched a review its workforce amid efforts to slash costs as a slump in consumer spending is set to send it tumbling to steep losses. The group said it is looking at its operational structure and headcount, as well as improvements to stock buying and warehousing to try to [...]
Supermarket shoppers face £454 extra to yearly grocery bill as inflation bites July 19, 2022 Shoppers are now facing a £454 increase to their annual supermarket bills, with grocery price inflation edging towards the highest level since 2008. According to the latest numbers from Kantar, grocery price inflation now sits at 9.9 per cent for the past four weeks. This marks the second highest level of inflation seen since 2008, [...]
Shaftesbury boss assures that London’s slipping footfall will be over soon July 18, 2022 The boss of West End landlord Shaftesbury Capital has assured that despite falling footfall levels in London’s heat, it will not be for long. “People are going to avoid city centres because they’re the hottest places,” Brian Bickell told City A.M. today, adding that “By the weekend people will be back to doing the things [...]