China denies forced labour accusations after Tesco Christmas card discovery December 23, 2019 China has denied accusations of forced labour at a prison in Shanghai after a Christmas card sold at Tesco was reportedly found containing a message from an inmate. Six-year-old Florence Widdicombe in London discovered a note in charity card sold at the supermarket saying “We are foreign prisoners in Shanghai Qingpu Prison China”. Read more: [...]
‘Super Saturday’ fails to deliver retail footfall spike December 23, 2019 So-called Super Saturday failed to deliver for high street retailers this year after footfall dropped more than seven per cent. According to the latest figures for the week to 21 December, footfall on the last Saturday before Christmas fell 7.6 per cent year on year and rose just 2.3 per cent compared to the rest [...]
All the big high street retailers that collapsed in 2019 December 23, 2019 It has been another turbulent year for the UK high street, which has struggled to adapt to changing consumer behaviour while battling rising overhead costs. Household names such as Debenhams, Mothercare and Clintons hit the news after they were forced to launch restructuring plans, close stores or simply stop operations. Read more: Why high street [...]
Tesco withdraws Christmas cards from sale over forced labour claims December 22, 2019 Tesco has suspended a Chinese Christmas card supplier following reports a customer found a message written inside a card saying it had been packed by foreign prisoners who were victims of forced labour. “We abhor the use of prison labour and would never allow it in our supply chain,” a Tesco spokesperson said on Sunday. Read more: Tesco [...]
Just Eat board rejects Prosus offer in favour of Takeaway.com merger December 20, 2019 The board of Just Eat has backed a final offer from Takeaway.com and rejected a rival cash bid from Prosus, as the battle for the British fast food giant nears its end. The food fight for Just Eat heated up once again yesterday after both Takeaway and Prosus increased their bids for the company. Read [...]
Prosus and Takeaway.com puts down final offers in food fight for Just Eat December 19, 2019 The food fight for Just Eat reached its climax today as competing bidders sought to woo the board with last-minute blockbuster offers. Prosus, the Dutch investment firm, has raised its cash bid to 800p for each Just Eat share, as it attempts to prevent a merger between the food delivery firm and its rival Takeaway.com [...]
Retail sales dip in November despite discounting December 19, 2019 Retail sales dipped last month as UK shoppers showed signs of “discount fatigue” in the run up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The amount spent in the three months to November dropped 0.3 per cent compared to the previous three months. Read more: Are there any signs retailers could be in for a merry [...]
Bet365 boss Denise Coates pockets bumper payout as profit rises December 18, 2019 Bet365’s billionaire founder Denise Coates, the highest paid woman in Britain, paid herself more than £320m last year as the gambling giant increased its profits. Financial filings show that the company’s highest paid director earned £276.6m in the year ended 31 March, along with a half of a £92.5m dividend. Read more: Bet365 boss pockets massive [...]
Pearson CEO to depart as it sells $675m stake in Penguin Random House December 18, 2019 Pearson’s chief executive today announced that he plans to step down in 2020, triggering a search for a successor. John Fallon said he would retire from the role as the education publishing business sold its final stake in Penguin Random House today. Read more: Pearson bags Home Office contract for English language tests He will [...]
String of London restaurants go paperless with City fintech startup Flux December 18, 2019 A number of London hot spots have taken a step towards going paperless, in a tie-up with digital receipts startup Flux. Flux has today signed partnership agreements with Japan Centre, Sakagura and Boparan Restaurant Group, which owns Giraffe, Ed’s Easy Diner and Slim Chickens. The deal means visitors who bank with Monzo or Starling, as [...]