The City is bouncing back: Itsu sees sales surge past pre-Covid levels amid office return October 10, 2022 Asian-inspired restaurant chain Itsu has declared London is “back in business” after the capital has endured a protracted footfall recovery from Covid lockdowns. Itsu’s City sites have seen sales steadily grow throughout the year, with its third quarter shooting beyond pre-Covid levels, the brand said on Monday. “Increasing numbers” of customers are being served midweek, [...]
Getir in takeover talks with rival Gorillas October 10, 2022 Rapid delivery giant Getir is reportedly in advanced talks to take over rival Gorillas. According to a report in Bloomberg, sources familiar with the matter said a proposed deal would be a mix of cash and equity. They said no final decisions had been made and the talks may not ultimately result in a sale. [...]
More Consolidation Ahead for Europe’s Consumer Sector? October 10, 2022 | City Talk Europe’s consumer industry has suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and has had to adjust quickly to survive. Lockdowns froze physical players and e-commerce provided a lifeline for survival for some. But the easing of restrictions did not necessarily help: consumer behaviours have clearly changed and retail footfall has not recovered to pre-pandemic [...]
West End has 109 per cent sales boost but retail leaders call for ‘urgent’ business reform October 10, 2022 West End retailers are calling for fresh support and radical reform to help continue their pandemic recovery. The organisation representing 600 outlets and hospitality firms in Bond St, Oxford St, Regent St and Mayfair announced the district is returning to pre-coronavirus levels, but that it still needs help to stop it faltering. The New West [...]
Morrisons one step closer to watchdog green light for McColl’s takeover October 10, 2022 The competition watchdog has said it is minded to accept proposals from Morrisons that would alleviate any concerns over higher prices for consumers amid its takeover of McColl’s. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had raised competition concerns regarding a small number of areas amid the supermarket’s £190m takeover of the beleaguered convenience store chain. [...]
Hollywood Bowl eyes expansion to more than 110 centres in UK and Canada October 10, 2022 Hollywood Bowl has said it sees “a significant opportunity” to roll out its leisure business to more than 110 centres across the UK and Canada. In a trading update on Monday, the bowling alley operator said it was eyeing expansion opportunities across its three experiential brands, Hollywood Bowl and Puttstars in the UK and Splitsville [...]
Last orders: Pub numbers sink amid calls for further support October 10, 2022 The number of pubs vanishing from communities in England and Wales increased by 50 per cent in the last three months, according to new data, amid warnings that more must be done to protect the great British institution. During the three months to the end of September, 150 pubs were either demolished or converted into other [...]
Quiz reaps rewards of return of party season October 10, 2022 Quiz has continued to back its come-back story as the fashion chain posts higher sales after shoppers have rushed to stock up their party wardrobes after the pandemic. In a trading update for April to September, the once struggling retailer posted total revenues of £49.4m, 37.2 per cent higher than the year before. Demand for [...]
Joules: CVA one of ‘potential options’ as retailer steams ahead with turnaround plan October 10, 2022 Joules has acknowledged a CVA is one of a number of “potential options” it may opt for as it seeks to turn around the fortunes of the beleaguered lifestyle retailer. Sky News had reported that the struggling firm had been working with Interpath Advisory to discuss using a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), with job losses [...]
London start-up founders reap rewards of almost £200m in loans October 10, 2022 London has received more start-up loan cash than anywhere else in the country after a decade of a programme supporting entrepreneurs. Founders in the capital have received £187.1m through the government backed Start Up Loan scheme, with businesses across the country being provided with loans and mentoring. The scheme has delivered more than 97,000 loans [...]