H&M reports strongest sales growth in three years September 16, 2019 H&M has reported its strongest sales growth in three years in the third quarter of the year, boosted by the popularity of the retailer’s summer collection. Net sales increased 12 per cent, totalling 62.6bn kr (£5.21bn), and were up eight per cent in local currencies, according to H&M’s latest trading update. Read more: H&M shares [...]
Asda employees stage fresh protests over contract changes September 16, 2019 Asda employees are protesting across the country over the implementation of a controversial new contract. Protests will take place at nine stores today, including in Leeds, Glasgow and Nottingham, after GMB union members staged demonstrations across the country earlier this month. Read more: Asda under pressure as workers stage nationwide protests Workers have raised concerns [...]
Aldi targets London expansion as profit falls September 16, 2019 Aldi is planning to expand in London as the budget supermarket seeks new customers following a sharp drop in profit. The company said it will more than double the number of stores inside the M25 from 45 to 100 by the end of 2025 including new smaller “local” high street branches. Read more: Aldi champagne [...]
Bubbling over: Meet the English sparkling wine makers beating the French at their own game September 16, 2019 The Nyetimber estate is toast-worthy: tree-lined country lanes give way to a manicured driveway, revealing the lovingly restored tasting room. The medieval estate’s garden in full-bloom complete with fountains. The weather is, however, nothing to celebrate. I’m greeted with umbrellas and wellies. Another roaring British summer. The scene encapsulates what the owner of the Sussex [...]
Restaurant insolvencies jump by a fifth as casual dining sector squeeze continues September 16, 2019 The number of restaurants collapsing into insolvency has risen by 20 per cent in the last year amid tough competition on the UK high street. Roughly 1,410 restaurants went insolvent in the year to the end of June, up by a fifth on the previous 12 months, according to figures compiled by accountancy firm UHY [...]
Clintons signs up advisers as greeting card stalwart eyes potential sale September 13, 2019 The owners of greeting card chain Clintons have called in advisers as they weigh up a potential sale of the business. The Weiss family, which previously controlled US firm American Greetings, has appointed professional services giant KPMG to oversee a review of strategic options. Read more: Card Factory delivers sales rise despite challenging consumer market [...]
Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin slams ‘elite Remainers’ as profit sinks September 13, 2019 Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin has launched a tirade against “elite Remainers”, as the budget pub chain posted a decline in pre-tax profit for the full-year. Read more: Propping up the bar: Wetherspoons toasts no-deal Brexit by slashing the price of a pint The figures Wetherspoons posted a 6.8 per cent increase in like-for-like sales in [...]
How retail rookie Sharon White can turn John Lewis’ fortunes around September 13, 2019 John Lewis Partnership reported its first ever half-year loss yesterday, blaming falling sales and rising costs for a gloomy six months. It’s bad news for incoming chair – and retail rookie – Sharon White, who has a challenge on her hands to turn around the department store’s fortunes. Read more: John Lewis swings to a [...]
The great British sell-off: Three ways for investors to profit September 13, 2019 As the final act of the Brexit saga approaches, investors are still locked in a state of perpetual uncertainty. We can’t know what will unfold, but what business is continually telling the government is how difficult it is to plan in the current environment. Brexit is the moment when we will receive some clarity, for [...]
Sainsbury’s pledges to slash plastic packaging by 50 per cent September 13, 2019 Sainsbury’s has pledged to slash the amount of plastic packaging it uses by 50 per cent by 2025, as it admitted it currently uses almost 120,000 tonnes a year. The supermarket giant said it would cut plastic use across all branded food packaging – including its own-brand products – and all of its operations. Read [...]