Pizza Express toasts ‘strong’ reopening as it seals £335m refinancing July 8, 2021 Pizza Express today hailed “strong” trading after reopening its restaurants following lockdown as it sealed a £335m refinancing deal. The pizza chain today confirmed it had concluded its long-term financing plan, consisting of five-year bonds, and was now a “fitter” company after emerging from Covid lockdowns. It comes after a challenging year for the restaurant [...]
England’s Euro 2020 performance could rally consumer spending July 8, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he expects a “bounce” in consumer spending thanks to England reaching the Euro 2020 final. England reached their first men’s football final in 55 years on Wednesday after they fought back to beat Denmark 2-1 after extra time. Speaking to the BBC, Simon French, chief economist at Panmure Gordon, said the [...]
NHS app self-isolation tracker could change if Covid cases see a summer spiral July 8, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has hinted that the way the NHS app ‘pings’ people for self-isolation could change as Covid-19 cases are expected to rise over the summer. Businesses have become increasingly frustrated with high staff absences due to employees being told to self-isolate. “I’ve spoken to the Health Secretary about this and he’s aware of [...]
Brexit no obstacle for Watches of Switzerland as it eyes expansion into Europe July 8, 2021 Europe is firmly on the radar of luxury retailer Watches of Switzerland. Under a new five-year plan, the group aims to enter the European luxury watch market through acquisitions and new boutiques in a shift away from its previous focus on the UK and US. Britain’s biggest retailer of Rolex, Cartier, Omega, Tag Heuer and [...]
Retail industry warns of increased abuse against workers over mask rules July 8, 2021 Retail industry warns of increased abuse against workers over mask rules
WH Smith’s airport takeover is InMotion after Dixons Travel shop deal July 8, 2021 WH Smith's airport takeover is InMotion after Dixons Travel shop deal
Discounter B&M revenue growth slows after bumper pandemic trade July 8, 2021 Discount retailer B&M’s first quarter results show increased revenue, but at a slower pace to the growth in its last financial year. The group’s total revenue for the first quarter, the 13 weeks to 26 June, increased from £1.15bn to £1.18bn, providing a strong start to the new financial year for the retailer. The results [...]
Fuller’s looks to end of restrictions to drown sorrows after £60m loss July 8, 2021 Pub chain Fuller, Smith & Turner swung to a £60m loss across a 12 months in which its estate was shut for nearly three-quarters of the year due to the pandemic. The group reported a £59.2m loss for the last financial year, down from a profit of £166.2m the year before. It said that its [...]
Watches of Switzerland clocks £905m revenue as customers ‘disposable wealth’ swells July 8, 2021 Luxury watch group Watches of Switzerland posted a £905.1m revenue this morning, as the pandemic allowed the disposable income of its wealthy customers to swell. Total revenue grew 13.3 per cent in the 53 weeks to 2 May. Revenue in the UK alone lifted 3.6 per cent to £606.5m, making the UK the watchmakers key [...]
High streets see the most shoppers since the beginning of the pandemic July 8, 2021 The number of shoppers on high streets, in shopping centres and in retail parks last month was the highest since the beginning of the pandemic, but still notably behind 2019 levels. The largest gains in footfall were made on high streets, which continued to benefit from the reopening of hospitality, with the number of punters [...]