Drinks sales boosted by office return as bars slowly recover from Omicron hit February 3, 2022 Drinks sold at pubs and bars in Britain edged closer to pre-pandemic levels, in levels not seen since last November. Average drinks sales by value in managed pubs, bars and restaurants for the week to Saturday 29 January were eight per cent below the same period in 2020. This was the first time the weekly [...]
Pubs face inflationary costs of over 10 per cent as bosses call for tax relief February 3, 2022 Pubs are facing inflationary business costs of more than 10 per cent as publicans battle spiralling energy and labour costs. More than two in three pubs told an industry survey they were facing such substantial cost increases. Venues are facing skyrocketing energy bills while a labour crunch has seen wages of bartenders and chefs leap [...]
KP Snacks warns of crisps shortages after cyber attack February 3, 2022 The snack maker behind Hula Hoops and Tyrrells crisps has warned of shortages as it battles a ransomware attack on its IT systems. KP Snacks said it had been victim to a cyber-attack on its IT and communications systems last week, warning of supply issues until at least the end of March. The company’s systems [...]
Shoppers flock to Oxford St in West End’s busiest week since last November February 3, 2022 The West End has enjoyed busiest week since November 2021 following the easing of Covid restrictions last month. In the first full week since plan B measures eased, areas including Covent Garden and Oxford St, saw a return of shoppers. Footfall hit 79 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, the highest seen since last autumn, before [...]
PMI: Recovery of UK services sector regaining momentum February 3, 2022 The recovery of the UK services sector regained momentum last month, according to new figures. The closely watched IHS Markit/CIPS UK Services PMI survey scored 54.1 in January, bouncing back from a 10-month low of 53.6 in December. Any score above 50 shows growth in the sector. The latest data showed that activity in the [...]
Cranswick enjoys in-home dining boost but battles with pork backlog February 3, 2022 Food producer Cranswick has reaped the rewards of more in-home dining amid the pandemic – a trend which has remained strong over the past three months. While trading over the festive period was “comfortably ahead” of the same period in 2020, the food producer was hit by widespread labour and supply chain challenges. The [...]
Virgin Wines lowers guidance following Omicron and supply chain issues February 3, 2022 Online wine retailer Virgin Wines was forced today to lower its profit and revenue for the year ending June 2022 following disruption caused by Omicron and supply chain issues. “Like many businesses, we experienced several operational challenges in the Period due to well-publicised, external, macroeconomic factors including labour market shortages caused by the emergence of [...]
Green shoots of recovery for UK high streets after Omicron measures ease February 3, 2022 The lifting of plan B restrictions spurred the UK back to shopping destinations but January footfall dropped on December levels. According to the latest footfall insight data from Springboard, footfall worsened slightly in January over the month as a whole, to 20.8 per cent below pre-pandemic levels. This was compared to footfall that was down [...]
Pret coffee subscription service to increase £5 amid rising costs February 2, 2022 Sandwich chain Pret A Manger is hiking the price of its coffee subscription service 25 per cent amid soaring ingredient and labour costs. Pret said the monthly cost – which covers five barista-made drinks a day – would increase from £20 to £25 from tomorrow. This will apply to new subscribers straight away while those [...]
Owner of Christian Dior perfume to move from Oxford St to Kensington February 2, 2022 The perfume giant behind brands including Christian Dior and Givenchy is to shut shop at its flagship Oxford St and head to a new site in Kensington. The Lancer Square development in W8 is set to welcome LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics, which produces Dior, Givenchy and Guerlain fragrances. The perfume retailer is under offer on [...]