More gloom on the horizon for UK high street, think tank warns January 14, 2021 There is more gloom on the horizon for the beleaguered UK high street in the first half of this year as lockdown restrictions weaken consumer confidence, according to the latest research. The KPMG Ipsos Retail Think Tank forecast that retail health will fall by two points in the first three months of the year, as [...]
888 to beat profit expectations as betting shop closures accelerate shift to online gambling January 14, 2021 Online gambling platform 888 Holdings expects to beat profit and revenue expectations for last year after more customers signed up while betting shops were closed during the coronavirus pandemic. 888 said today that revenue and adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation will be “moderately ahead” of previous forecasts. The betting site said the [...]
London landlord Great Portland Estates confident capital will bounce back after Covid January 14, 2021 London commercial landlord Great Portland Estates reported that tenants have struggled to pay their rent due to the impact of lockdown measures on trading, but said the Covid-19 vaccination programme is the light at the end of the tunnel. December quarter rent collection was ahead of September levels, with Great Portland Estates receiving 77 per [...]
Primark expects £1bn sales hit due to lockdown store closures January 14, 2021 Associated British Foods (ABF), the owner of Primark, said the closure of the budget fashion chain’s stores had cost the company £540m in lost sales so far, warning the total could reach £1bn due to ongoing restrictions. ABF said the loss of sales due to temporary store closures will cost the firm £1.05bn if they [...]
Boohoo enjoys strong growth but admits Brexit will drive up costs January 14, 2021 Brexit is likely to drive up prices at Boohoo, with additional costs largely relating to distribution and administration to blame. In a market update this morning the online retailer said it had implemented a system that was designed to minimise the impact of Brexit on its European customers, and it would try to mitigate extra costs [...]
Tesco adds £1bn in online sales as customers splash out over Christmas period January 14, 2021 Tesco added an extra £1bn in online sales in the run-up to Christmas as new lockdown measures accelerated the shift to digital shopping. The supermarket said online sales growth surged more than 80 per cent in the 19 weeks to 9 January, and orders have continued to grow after the festive season. Tesco broke its [...]
Premier Inn owner Whitbread confirms 1,500 job cuts amid restructuring January 14, 2021 Premier Inn owner Whitbread (WTB) has confirmed 1,500 job cuts following a restructuring of its hotel and restaurant operations as sales tumble amid lockdown restrictions. While the restructure had led to 1,500 job cuts, it is far lower than the 6,000 it had projected in September. The group, which also owns Beefeater and Brewers Fayre, [...]
Dunelm sales jump as lockdown fuels interest in homewares January 14, 2021 Dunelm recorded a jump in sales in the weeks leading up to Christmas despite the closure of its stores, as lockdown measures continued to fuel an interest in home improvements and interior decorating. The retailer said total sales were up 11.8 per cent in the 13 weeks to 26 December, driven by “buoyant” consumer demand [...]
Pandemic cycling boom drives growth at Halfords January 14, 2021 Halfords saw sales growth of nearly 12 per cent in the third quarter, boosted by a pandemic-driven rise in cycling. Growth in Halford’s cycling department jumped more than 35 per cent in the third quarter, boosted by a surge in sales for cycling products, e-bikes and e-scooters. The firm’s performance cycling business Tredz grew more [...]
Food packaging giant Hilton thrives as pandemic changes eating habits January 14, 2021 Hilton Food Group has surpassed expectations with a continuation of strong sales and volume growth, according to a trading update released today. The group’s success was driven by their own expansion as well as the shift to home consumption throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Hilton made strong progress across several European markets, benefitting from people eating [...]