Let Brits pick value brands over own-branded products to beat cost of living crisis, Cabinet minister suggests May 4, 2022 A Cabinet minister suggested shoppers could choose value brands to help cope with rising food prices. Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News that rising fertiliser and feed costs had hit the farming industry, partly as a result of soaring energy prices. “The better news is that we have a very, very competitive retail market [...]
Sales slow at J D Wetherspoon as costs rocket and punters dip May 4, 2022 Sales at J D Wetherspoon dipped four per cent in the third quarter as the pub group struggles to keep pace with pre-pandemic levels.
West End set for booming recovery as tourists flock back to capital May 3, 2022 Londoners can bet on a roaring West End comeback, after Peel Hunt analysts pointed to a resilient recovery in occupier demand and rental tone. In a note yesterday, Peel Hunt said that the future looked cheery for the central London shopping and theatre destination, “despite wider uncertainty and the cost of living squeeze.” It comes [...]
BrewDog co-founder James Watt gives £100m shares to staff May 3, 2022 BrewDog boss James Watt has revealed plans to give away some £100m of shares, as the drinks firm attempts to move on from accusations of being a toxic workplace. More than 3.7m shares will be moved to an employee benefit trust while hundreds of workers will be given a stake in the Scottish brewer. Salaried [...]
Hilton marks ‘better than expected’ performance as travel demand returns May 3, 2022 Hotel operator Hilton has reaped the rewards of an international travel resurgence, posting an adjusted EBITDA of $448m for the first quarter. Demand dipped earlier in the year as a surge in Omicron Covid cases prevented many from travelling abroad. However, the easing of Covid restrictions has seen demand for travel flooding back. Hilton Worldwide Holdings [...]
Missguided: Sales documents sent to private equity firms as fashion giants circle retailer May 3, 2022 Fast fashion firm Missguided is reportedly wooing potential buyers as the retailer faces an uncertain future. According to the Daily Mail, the Manchester-based firm has recruited consultants to work on a deal, with the possibility of an agreement being inked this month. Names reportedly in the running include Asos, Shein, Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group and [...]
Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Greggs join forces to lobby Sunak to slash business rates May 3, 2022 Supermarket giants have reiterated calls for a cut in business rates as firms endeavour to keep prices competitive for shoppers amid rising inflation. Big names including Morrisons and Co-op have come together under a new Cut the Shops Tax campaign, organised by the Retail Jobs Alliance. In a joint letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, bosses [...]
CMA to allow Morrisons owner to sell 87 petrol stations to complete £7bn deal May 3, 2022 The UK’s competition watchdog has said it is poised to give a green light to the owner of Morrisons over selling dozens of petrol stations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been probing Clayton, Dubilier & Rice’s £7bn takeover of the supermarket and previously raised competition concerns. The New York private equity firm also [...]
Boost for embattled hospitality sector: Heineken goes on UK hiring spree as beer giant creates 700 new pub jobs May 3, 2022 Dutch beer giant Heineken has said this morning it will create more than 700 jobs across the UK as part of a £42m investment plan into its pub operation. The brewing company said that 660 pubs – more than a quarter of its Star Pubs & Bars venue business – will be upgraded as part [...]
McColl’s shares to be suspended from LSE as accounts cannot be signed off by auditors May 3, 2022 Struggling convenience store business McColl’s is set to have its shares suspended from the London Stock Exchange as bosses said they would be unable to get its accounts signed off by auditors in time. The retailer has been in discussions with potential lenders to shore up the business, which struggled badly during the pandemic due [...]