Decline in fashion sales slows as online shoppers prepare for lockdown lifting March 5, 2021 The decline in fashion retail sales slowed last month as online shoppers snapped up outfits for the end of the coronavirus lockdown. Total like-for-like sales -including the impact of closed non-essential stores – declined 3.1 per cent in February but fashion and homeware helped drive online sales up 167.3 per cent to a record high. [...]
Budweiser invests £115m in UK breweries to pour an extra 630m pints a year March 4, 2021 Budweiser has announced plans to invest more than £115m in its two major UK breweries to improve their infrastructure and create jobs. The beer firm, which is part of drinks giant AB Inbev, will install modern equipment at its South Wales and Lancashire sites to expand capacity in brewing, canning and bottling. The investment will [...]
Amazon opens first contactless grocery store in London March 4, 2021 Amazon has opened a contactless bricks and mortar grocery store in London – the first physical shop the tech giant has launched outside of the US. The Amazon Fresh store in Ealing will carry a private UK food brand dubbed “by Amazon”, and will let consumers skip the checkout queue. Shoppers will scan a smartphone [...]
Revolution Bars expects boom in demand as it prepares to reopen 20 sites next month March 4, 2021 Revolution Bars announced this morning that it expects a boom in demand when it is able to resume trading, as it revealed plans to reopen 20 branches when hospitality firms can begin outdoor service next month. The bar chain will reopen 20 sites from 12 April and it is planning to open the rest of [...]
B&M ups earning expectations after strong lockdown trading March 4, 2021 Discount retailer B&M this morning upped its earnings expectations following a strong performance during the latest coronavirus lockdown. The chain said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for this financial year will be between £590m to £620m. The latest forecast accounts for the voluntary payment of business rates, amounting to around £80m. It [...]
Waitrose opens new London warehouse in online delivery push March 4, 2021 Waitrose has opened a new London warehouse in partnership with Wincanton in a bid to boost its online delivery capacity. The supermarket, which last year ended its partnership with Ocado, said the warehouse in Greenford will deliver 25,000 orders each week and employ an extra 800 staff when it opens fully later this year. That [...]
Ladbrokes owner Entain back in black on rapid US growth March 4, 2021 Ladbrokes owner Entain today swung back into the black as rapid growth from its US joint venture pushed revenue higher. The FTSE 100 firm posted profit of £113.8m in 2020, compared with a loss of £131.2m the year before. Revenue and gross profit were both flat at £3.5bn and £2.3bn respectively, while earnings rose 10 [...]
Wetherspoons to open reopen outdoor space at 394 pubs in April March 4, 2021 Pub giant JD Wetherspoon will open outdoor spaces in 394 pubs in April, but the pubs will be operating with a reduced menu and shorter days. Wetherspoon’s decision is in line with coronavirus restrictions easing on 12 April to allow hospitality to open up outdoor space for customer use. From Sunday to Thursday the pubs [...]
More than 1,000 jobs at risk as Sainsbury’s launches restructuring plan March 3, 2021 Sainsbury’s has launched a restructuring plan, putting around 1,150 jobs at risk. The supermarket is set to cut around 500 head office roles, reduce office space and close a warehouse, according to reports. The head office roles at risk include jobs in commercial operations, human resources, supply chain and logistics, technology, general merchandise and clothing [...]
Chefs spy light at end of Covid tunnel after Sunak budget March 3, 2021 Chefs and restaurateurs across London have welcomed Rishi Sunak’s “life saving” budget plans announced today. A raft of measures aimed at keeping the embattled hospitality industry afloat until it can fully reopen in June includes an extension of the furlough scheme, grants of up to £18,000 for pubs and restaurants, and an extension of the [...]