JD Sports announces new buyback despite falling sales August 27, 2025 JD Sports has announced a new share buyback programme despite a drop in like-for-like quarterly sales. The FTSE 100 company said it would invest £100m into the programme, which it said reflects “confidence in medium-term industry growth, our ongoing market share gains and focused execution”. This is despite a three per cent drop in like-for-like [...]
Warm dry summer expected to produce top vintage for UK wines August 26, 2025 English wine producers are expecting a top quality 2025 vintage after “optimal” weather conditions for many winemakers this summer. Comparisons have already been drawn to the record-breaking harvest of 2018, which provided outstanding grape ripeness and yields. Cherie Spriggs, head winemaker at Nyetimber said she was “quietly optimistic” about this year’s harvest. “2025 is definitely [...]
Bunzl: FTSE 100 giant hit by Rachel Reeves’ tax grab August 26, 2025 Profit at distribution titan Bunzl took a hit in the first six months of 2025 as challenging economic conditions weighed on the firm’s books. The FTSE 100 giant’s adjusted operating profit came in at £404.5m for the half, an 11.2 per cent drop from £455.5m for the same period the year prior. Despite this shares [...]
Business rates ‘double whammy’ to cost English companies billions August 26, 2025 Businesses in England are to face an “unavoidable double hit” to their property tax payments next year, which will see total payments surge by about £2.5bn, according to new figures. Analysis from global tax firm Ryan indicated that inflation and a government tax change will combine to drive up business rates bills further. Business rates [...]
New Look owners line up Rothschild as high street chain prepares for possible sale August 24, 2025 The owners of New Look have appointed Rothschild to oversee a strategic review that could see the high street fashion chain change hands next year. Alcentra and Brait, which have controlled the retailer since 2020, tapped the investment bank after receiving unsolicited approaches from potential buyers, Sky News reported. No timeline has been set for [...]
Bar boss quits Labour’s hospitality group after tax concerns August 23, 2025 A top boss of a British bar chain has quit a government hospitality taskforce after facing pressure over his criticism of Rachel Reeves’ tax agenda. Alex Reilley, the chairman of Loungers, has exited the Hospitality Sector Council (HSC) after receiving backlash from civil servants for publicly criticising Labour’s economic policies, The Telegraph reported. “I was [...]
JD Sports to provide update after tariff sales crunch August 23, 2025 JD Sports investors will be hopeful the retailer can show signs of progress next week after sales came under pressure at the start of the year. The impact of US tariffs and its overall performance in the US will be particularly in focus when it provides a half-year trading update on Wednesday August 27. Shares [...]
Coca-Cola considers grounds for sale of Costa August 23, 2025 Soft drinks giant Coca-Cola has called in bankers for exploratory talks regarding a sale of coffee chain Costa. The Coca-Cola company, which acquired Costa over six years ago, has held talks with a number of potential bidders including private equity firms, according to Sky News. Investment bank Lazard is working with the firm to explore [...]
Consumer confidence weak but rate cuts offer some reprieve August 22, 2025 The Bank of England’s fleet of interest rate cuts have helped lift consumer confidence in personal finance, a leading survey has suggested, but the prospect of high inflation has left sentiment vulnerable. Bank officials are closely monitoring the effects of looser monetary policy on consumption and confidence levels across the UK. GfK’s flagship consumer confidence survey [...]
UK online SMEs confident despite economic headwinds August 21, 2025 A wave of online small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs are showing confidence in their future, despite wider economic pressures, a new report from eBay UK suggests. The study found that nearly four in five, or 78 per cent, of online small businesses expect to see growth over the next 12 months, with a third [...]