Mulberry ramps up sustainability pledges as retailers scramble to boost environmental reputations April 20, 2021 Mulberry has become the latest retailer to ramp up its sustainability measures as the spotlight on environmental and social issues has intensified in the wake of fast fashion scandals. The designer accessories brand today announced it will buy back, resell or repurpose any Mulberry bag when it becomes unusable. It has also pledged to achieve [...]
Bezos bets on the barbers: Amazon to open London hair salon April 20, 2021 US tech giant Amazon has announced it will open a huge hair salon across two storeys in London’s Spitalfields. The company said customers will use Amazon technology to trial hair colours and entertainment will be provided by its Fire tablets at the salon in Brushfield Street. Hairdressing and styling will be provided by London salon [...]
Vast Italian market Eataly set to open in the heart of the City April 20, 2021 The Square Mile will soon be home to vast Italian market Eataly, which has already seen success in cities including New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Chicago. Broadgate Market, London’s largest pedestrianised neighbourhood, will host the 42,000 sq ft venture, which will include take-away, retail, and terrace dining. Eataly is slated to open on 29 [...]
Issa brothers’ Asda takeover hits roadblock as watchdog probes petrol station competition concerns April 20, 2021 The UK’s competition watchdog has launched an investigation into the acquisition of Asda by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital over concerns that it could drive up petrol prices. The companies have said they will work with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to find a resolution within the first stage of the probe. The [...]
UK court clears William Hill’s £2.9bn Caesars takeover April 20, 2021 William Hill today said its £2.9bn takeover by US casino group Caesars Entertainment had been cleared by a UK court despite shareholder protests. The bumper merger had been held up by a court hearing after minority shareholder HBK Capital Management raised concerns about disclosures relating to the deal. HBK and fellow US hedge fund GWM [...]
Primark owner restores dividend as high street stores reopen April 20, 2021 The owner of Primark today said it would restore its dividend and pay back furlough money as it issued an upbeat outlook following the reopening of retail stores. Associated British Foods (ABF) halted its payout last year due to the outbreak of Covid-19, which sparked an almost £1.5bn hit to its first-half Primark sales. The [...]
Tesco slapped with £7.56m fine for selling out-of-date food April 20, 2021 Tesco was slapped with a £7.56m fine for selling out of date food at three of its stores by a Birmingham judge on Monday. The judge at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court also ordered the supermarket giant to pay a victim surcharge of £170, alongside the prosecution costs of £95,500, Birmingham City Council said. The penalty was handed [...]
John Lewis gets to work on Peter Jones Sloane Square facelift April 19, 2021 John Lewis has begun a multi-million pound renovation of its Peter Jones store in Sloane Square. The facelift will see the store given a curved glass façade, ground floor shop windows, entrances and canopy, and a new, larger, more accessible entrance on King’s Road, according to the Evening Standard. John Lewis has outline planning permissions, [...]
Make it to-go: Wagamama boss Emma Woods heads for the exit April 19, 2021 Make it to-go: Wagamama boss heads for the exit
Shoppers flock back to the West End in grand reopening of London April 19, 2021 Following the easing of the lockdown the number of shoppers and visitors heading to the West End was more than expected, as shops in central London opened for the first time in months. In the first week following the easing of lockdown restrictions footfall in the West End stood at around 54 per cent of [...]