Shoppers spend less at Ocado after offices reopen and Covid measures ease March 17, 2022 Ocado customers are spending less through the online grocery delivery service as pandemic habits return to normal. In an eight week trading update, Ocado said its average basket size came in at £124, 15 per cent lower than last year. This was reflective of changing shopper behaviours as customers return to physical supermarkets and offices. [...]
Deliveroo losses widen with warnings of future cost pressures March 17, 2022 Deliveroo has reported widening losses of £131m as the food delivery firm warned of the impact of hiked costs. The firm said its core adjusted loss had widened compared to a loss of £11m in 2020, citing increased marketing spend and investment into technology. However, revenue soared 57 per cent, with food delivery apps benefiting [...]
Landscaping firm Marshalls back to pre-pandemic levels of profit March 17, 2022 Marshalls, which produces stone and concrete for landscaping, has returned to pre-pandemic levels of revenue and profit. The Yorkshire-based construction firm’s full year results for 2021 include revenue of almost £590m, a 25 per cent increase on 2020, and nearly £50m, more than for 2019, pre Covid. Its EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and [...]
Cineworld revenue skyrockets by $1bn as record-breaking blockbusters lure in viewers March 17, 2022 Cineworld revenue has skyrocketed by $1bn (£760m) in the past year, as record-breaking blockbuster releases such as Spider-Man: No Way Home lured in viewers. Revenue surged more than 111 per cent to $1.8bn (£1.3bn) in the year to 31 December, up from $852m, according to the theatre chain’s preliminary results this morning. Admissions rose over [...]
Pubs hope to sell 14 million pints as St Patrick Day celebrations return March 16, 2022 Pubs are anticipated to pull some 14 million pints tomorrow on the first St Patrick’s Day unmarred by Covid guidance in two years. The estimation comes from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), who encouraged punters to support their local on Thursday. Venues lost out on an estimated £54m on St Patrick’s Day last [...]
Pub operator Young’s announces new CEO as Patrick Dardis steps down after six years March 16, 2022 Pub chain Young’s has announced Patrick Dardis will step down as CEO this summer. Dardis will end his six-year stint leading the brewer and pub operator at the firm’s AGM on 5 July. He will be succeeded by chief operating officer, Simon Dodd, who previously served on the board of rival Fuller. Dardis will remain [...]
Parker Review: Almost all FTSE 100 boards now meet ambitious diversity target of at least one director from minority background March 16, 2022 Almost 90 per cent of Britain’s top companies have met ambitious goals to have more ethnically diverse boards. The secretary of state for business heralded “great strides” made in British firms, following a report by the Parker Review Committee, revealing 89 FTSE 100 firms are now more representative than five years ago. This comes after [...]
Zara owner Inditex warns of challenges ahead after shutting Russian shops March 16, 2022 Zara owner Inditex has reported sales surpassing pre-Covid levels but warned of looming challenges after severing ties with Russia. The world’s largest fashion retailer said Russia was a major market, after it shut its 503 shops and suspended online sales in the country amid its war in Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine accounted for five per [...]
The Gym Group revenue rockets a third as pandemic losses linger and shares fall March 16, 2022 The Gym Group’s revenue had rocketed a third in the past year, though it continues to swallow lingering pandemic-era losses. The low-cost gym chain enjoyed a revenue boost to £106m from £80.5m, after pandemic restrictions significantly dampened earnings. The company has since unveiled a plan to open 28 new gyms in 2022, with 20 leases [...]
Firm behind loyalty schemes for Pret A Manger, Asda and Pizza Express recovers from pandemic March 16, 2022 The marketing firm behind loyalty schemes for brands such as Asda, Pret A Manger and Pizza Express is back in the black after a small pandemic loss. Eagle Eye Solutions, which manages schemes for major chains through coupons,, subscriptions and gift services, announced its half-year figures up to January, with £600,000 in profit, after a [...]