From stamp duty to the triple lock, Andy Haldane says bold Burnham leadership can usher ‘vibe change’ for UK economy
Lidl to create 1,200 new warehouse jobs by 2025 for Luton distribution centre March 25, 2022 Lidl will create more than 1,200 new warehouse jobs by the end of 2025 as construction on a new distribution centre nears completion. Construction was started on a new Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) in Luton last year, which boasts 1.2m sq ft. Now, the discount retailer is looking to fill roles at the warehouse. Team [...]
Wickes revenue surges past £1.5bn as DIY chain acknowledges cost of living crunch March 25, 2022 Wickes has reported revenue has hit £1.53bn after rising 14 per cent last year. Like-for-like sales were up 12 per cent on 2020 and 18.6 per cent on 2019, as lockdown shoppers turned to DIY projects. David Wood, chief executive, said the company expected to continue outperforming the market. Wickes was “well-placed to capitalise on [...]
Retail sales drop as Brits return to venues while cost of living crunch looms March 25, 2022 Retail sales volumes fell 0.3 per cent last month as Brits made the most of Covid restrictions abating. Stormy weather also deterred shoppers from making trips to the high street, with Storm Eunice and Storm Dudley causing travel haovc across the country last month. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), shoppers bought less [...]
McColl’s boss steps down after six years at the helm amid rescue talks March 24, 2022 The chief of beleaguered convenience store chain McColl’s has quit as the business faces an existential crisis. The chain has been in talks with lenders over emergency cash, as it hopes to find a buyer to secure its future. After three decades with the chain and six years in leadership, Jonathan Miller has quit the [...]
Warhammer maker shares surge as trading ‘in line with expectations’ March 24, 2022 Games Workshop shares skyrocketed after the Warhammer maker said its most recent trading was “in line with expectations”. The wargames manufacturer said trading in the three months to the end of February was as expected. This sent shares up more than six per cent on Thursday afternoon. As a result, the firm announced a dividend [...]
Watchdog says Morrisons takeover could lead to higher fuel prices in more than 100 locations March 24, 2022 The competition watchdog has said Morrisons’ blockbuster private equity takeover could lead to higher fuel prices. Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R)’s £7bn takeover of the supermarket could lead to higher fuel prices in 121 locations where both firms own forecourts, the regulator said. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it has concerns about the [...]
Hollywood takes over Waltham Cross as £700m plan for Europe’s largest film studios with 4,500 jobs moves ahead March 24, 2022 Hollywood’s Sunset Studios is moving ahead with its plans to pump around £700m in a new film studio in Waltham Cross, a project that should generate around 4,500 jobs and create the largest film studio in Europe. The Hollywood giant has submitted a range of plans and proposals to the local council, after holding a [...]
Amazon ditches diesel with the UK launch of five new electric heavy delivery trucks March 24, 2022 Amazon has launched its first fleet of 37-tonne fully-electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), in a bid to ‘deliver’ on its 2040 net-zero target. Ditching diesel, the five new trucks are set to travel 100,000 miles a year powered by renewable electricity, meaning 170 tonnes of CO2 emissions are removed. The fleet will be charged at [...]
Lockdown mattress shoppers deliver revenue growth for Eve Sleep March 24, 2022 Sleep wellness brand Eve Sleep has marked its third year of revenue growth as lockdown drove shoppers online. Group revenue hit £26.6m in 2021, up from £25.2m the year prior, while gross profit stood at £14.7m, slightly higher than the £14.4m in 2020. Cheryl Calverley, CEO of eve Sleep, said: “Delivering a third year of [...]
Next anticipates £10m hit to profit after suspending online sales to Ukraine and Russia March 24, 2022 Fashion retailer Next has lowered its profit guidance by £10m after it stopped online sales in Ukraine and Russia. The high street name also shrunk its sales guidance for the 2022/2023 year by £85m, a two per cent dip. In results published on Thursday, it anticipated its full price sales would rise five per cent [...]