Double-digit footfall boost for London and South East as shops fear cost of living crunch will deter customers April 5, 2022 Retail footfall saw a double-digit boost last month in London and the South East, thanks to a bout of sunshine. London and the south East saw a 11.3 per cent rise in footfall to retail destinations in March. This represented footfall down 22 per cent on pre-pandemic levels. Across the UK, footfall was up 9.9 [...]
London shoppers evacuated from Oxford Street after gas leak April 4, 2022 Shoppers have been evacuated from Oxford St after emergency services have shut down the West End shopping destination. The Met closed several streets in the area on Monday afternoon, including Poland Street, Berwick Street, Oxford Street, Noel Street, Wardour Street and Great Marlborough Street. In a tweet, the police force said: “Please can we make [...]
57 salmonella cases confirmed as Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs recalled April 4, 2022 The UK’s food authority has confirmed 57 cases of salmonella, mostly among young children, with suspected links to Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs. Confectioner Ferrero has recalled batches of its individual 20g eggs and eggs that come in packs of three with a best before date of between 11 July 2022 and 7 October 2022. The [...]
Fever pitch: Battle for Ted Baker intensifies as new owners set to face post-pandemic high street ‘challenges’ April 4, 2022 Fashion chain Ted Baker has seen its share price boom after kicking off a formal sale process, with a third US private equity proposal. Analysts said the proposal comes as valuations of British companies have fallen in the wake of the pandemic and Brexit. Ted Baker has received an improved proposal from Sycamore, in addition [...]
Bidding war looming: Ted Baker launches formal sale process as retail giant receives yet another takeover offer April 4, 2022 Ted Baker has launched a formal sale process after receiving a third takeover move by US private equity suitor Sycamore Partners. Shares in the company jumped on Monday morning after the fashion brand said it had also received another “unsolicited” approach by an unnamed party. It comes a week after Ted Baker rejected two takeover [...]
Hospitality firms receive less than half of £635m Omicron support package despite fierce struggle to survive April 4, 2022 New analysis has found that hospitality firms in England affected by Omicron have received less than half of the £635m support package promised by the Government. The Treasury announced funding in December to provide a lifeline for businesses suffering from mass cancellations and declining footfall over the Christmas period when the Omicron variant of coronavirus [...]
BrewDog chairman picks row with HR adviser over employee platform April 4, 2022 BrewDog’s chairman Allan Leighton picked a row with the HR firm brought in to improve relations between staff and management. Leighton accused consultant Hand & Heart of “amplifying attacks” on the management team, after the HR firm set up a platform where BrewDog workers could submit their feedback regarding the company. In a letter to [...]
Raising a toast: Beer sales return to pre-pandemic glory as pub goers ditch wine and spirits April 4, 2022 Beer sales have brewed a comeback with 1.1bn more pints sold last year than in 2020. Some 4.6bn litres of beer was sold in 2021, up 13 per cent on 2020. Lockdown drinkers opted for spirits, causing beer sales to plummet, but pints regained popularity when pubs reopened. Wine and spirits saw a drop of [...]
Hospitality venues receive less than half of £635m Omicron support package April 4, 2022 Hospitality businesses in England received less than half of a £635m support package promised at the end of last year to make up for Omicron cancellations. Just £305m was paid out less than three weeks before the final cut off, analysis by the Altus Group revealed. The Treasury had announced one-off grants worth up to [...]
Lush lathers up for return to profit amid buy out of US partner April 3, 2022 Soap-seller Lush has bought out its US partner in a bid to almost double its sales in the UK. According to The Financial Times, the high street name is eager to pump cash into rebuilding its UK operations after they took a hit amid Covid restrictions. The retailer returned to profit in its last financial [...]