Oddbins owner appoints administrators with hundreds of jobs at risk January 28, 2019 The owner of wine retailer Oddbins is preparing to appoint administrators for the second time in less than a decade. European Food Brokers, which owns subsidiaries Wine Cellar Trading and Whittalls Wine Merchants, said it has filed a notice of intent to appoint Duff & Phelps as administrators to fix an insolvency, Sky News reported tonight. EFB, [...]
A tie-up with Ocado could signal a long overdue step into food delivery for M&S January 28, 2019 If 2018 was the year of profit warnings for retailers, 2019 looks set to be the year of closures. Last week it was the turn of Paperchase to be reportedly mulling a possible sale and store closures, joining the likes of HMV and French Connection in search for a rescue bidder. It is within such [...]
Tesco reveals 9,000 jobs set to be hit in major restructuring amid ‘challenging’ market January 28, 2019 Tesco has revealed plans to axe up to 9,000 jobs as part of a cost-cutting move that will involve the grocer trimming its head office and closing tens of fresh food counters. Britain's largest retailer said today that 90 counters will be closed and 9,000 jobs will be impacted by the latest twist in Dave [...]
Ocado and Marks & Spencer see shares rise on reports of food delivery partnership January 28, 2019 Shares in Marks & Spencer and Ocado were up this morning following reports the firms are in talks over a possible food delivery partnership. Ocado and Marks & Spencer saw their shares rise five per cent and one per cent respectively in early trading after it emerged the retailer could sign a deal to use [...]
Sir Philip Green abandons legal action against the Telegraph over legal injunction January 28, 2019 Sir Philip Green has dropped his legal action against the Telegraph over its accusations against him of multiple claims of sexual harassment and racism. Sir Philip, who denies the allegations, was named in parliament by Lord Peter Hain after an injunction prevented the Telegraph from identifying the businessman after an eight-month investigation. Read more: Sir [...]
For the love of dogs: Tails.com is on a mission to solve the podgy pup epidemic January 28, 2019 You don't need to be a vet to know that a 1.5kg Chihuahua isn’t going to need the same food as a 80kg Great Dane. But while most pet owners tend to focus on portion sizes, few will take into account the different nutritional needs of each breed. “Like parents with their children, owners and their [...]
Hundreds of new UK breweries open as craft beer boom continues January 28, 2019 Hundreds of new craft breweries opened in the last year as boozers defied Brexit fears to drive the growth in independent beer brands. A total of 430 new craft breweries opened in the year to the end of December 2017 as the market share of niche beers continues to rise, according to UHY Hacker Young. [...]
Waitrose and Morrisons to crack down on plastics in recycling boom January 28, 2019 Two of the UK’s largest food retailers, Morrisons and Waitrose & Partners, will today announce new measures to tackle high quantities of plastic pollution and waste both within stores and nationwide. Waitrose has established a £1m grant fund, raised through 5p carrier bag sales, for organisations pursuing projects designed to reduce unnecessary plastic waste and [...]
Confidence hits 18-month low as Brexit jitters fuel uncertainty January 28, 2019 Consumer confidence has plunged to its lowest level in 18 months, as uncertainty over Brexit takes its toll on shoppers’ spirits despite rising wages and record low unemployment. Confidence among consumers fell for the second consecutive quarter in the final three months of 2018, sliding from -7 per cent to -9 per cent, according to data [...]
Man Group ends sponsorship of Booker Prize after 18 years January 27, 2019 Britain’s most high profile literary award, the Man Booker Prize, has lost its headline sponsor after Man Group announced on Sunday that it will end its 18 year partnership with the event. Man Group – an asset manager – has sponsored the prize since 2002, contributing £1.6m a year. Read more: Waterstones acquires Foyles bookshops as [...]