DIY firm Screwfix to open 40 new stores and create 400 jobs August 26, 2020 DIY tool firm Screwfix has announced that it will open 40 new stores this year, creating around 400 jobs across the UK and Ireland. The retailer, which is owned by Kingfisher, said that it would open 30 stores in the UK by the end of January, with 300 jobs in retail management, service assistance and [...]
McDonald’s probes potential cover up by disgraced former chief exec August 26, 2020 McDonald’s is reportedly investigating whether its ousted British chief executive Steve Easterbrook covered up misconduct by other employees. The investigation is also probing allegations of wrongdoing within the fast food giant’s human resources department. Easterbrook was fired last November after it was revealed that he had been in a consensual relationship with a colleague that [...]
A dam site better: Craft brewer Beavertown builds new London brewery August 26, 2020 Craft brewer Beavertown is moving production from its Tottenham home, with its new brewery in Enfield allowing it to make enough beer for 90m pints. The expansion to the six-acre plot in Ponders End will lead to 150 new jobs in north london over three years, the craft brewer said. Beavertown, the maker of Gamma [...]
New Look launches restructuring plan to slash rents August 26, 2020 High street retailer New Look has asked landlords to change the way it pays rent on most of its stores in a bid to secure a £40m cash injection. The fashion chain launched a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), which involves resetting 402 stores to turnover rent to align rent payments with future performance. The turnover [...]
More than 64m meals claimed under Eat Out to Help Out scheme August 25, 2020 More than 64m discounted meals have been claimed under the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme to encourage diners to visit cafes, pubs and restaurants following the coronavirus lockdown. The jump continues the upward trend, which saw 10.5m meals claimed in the first week that the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme was launched, [...]
Carnival-owned Cunard suspends all cruises until March next year August 25, 2020 Carnival-owned cruise operator Cunard has cancelled all of its sailings until March 2021 at the earliest due to continuing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement, the luxury cruise ship line said that it was extending its suspension of all sailings from November this year until the spring, a year after first suspending its [...]
Debenhams launches rates battle to decide future of company August 25, 2020 Beleaguered department store Debenhams has launched a fight against business rates hikes, warning it could be forced to shutter more stores and lay off thousands of workers if it is unsuccessful. The retailer has appealed to a tribunal about a 12 per cent jump in business rates to £1.1m at its Swansea store. Debenhams, which [...]
Retail employment falls at sharpest rate in more than a decade August 25, 2020 Retail employment fell at the fastest rate in more than a decade in the year to August as high street firms cut jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic. Employment in the retail sector fell 45 per cent in August – the sharpest drop since February 2009 – compared to a drop of 20 per cent in [...]
KFC drops Finger Lickin’ Good slogan amid coronavirus pandemic August 25, 2020 Fast food giant KFC has scrapped its “Finger Lickin’ Good” slogan during the coronavirus pandemic. The fried chicken chain will temporarily remove the 64-year-old slogan from its advertising, saying it “doesn’t feel quite right” during the Covid-19 era of hand washing and social distancing. The move comes after KFC pulled a series of adverts featuring customers [...]
Lockdown wishlists and pent-up demand boost furniture retailer DFS August 25, 2020 Months under lockdown had many Brits dreaming up furniture wishlists and room makeovers, and that's now pushing orders higher at sofa retailer DFS.