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 [...]
Diageo looks to key American market as it hopes price hikes will raise spirits January 27, 2019 Drinks giant Diageo will be hoping for a strong performance in the US when it reveals its results later this week, with price hikes expected to boost margins. The British brewer, whose brands include Guinness, Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker, will be eyeing a boost in sales of vodka and whiskey in the crucial North American [...]
Activist investor takes shot at board of vodka maker Stock Spirits January 27, 2019 A Portuguese activist investor has launched a no-holds-barred attack on the chairman and senior director of vodka maker Stock Spirits amid discontent about shareholder returns. Luis Amaral, whose investment firm Western Gate holds a 10 per cent stake in Stock Spirits, has called on fellow shareholders to oust chairman David Maloney and senior independent director [...]
Tesco set to ‘axe up to 15,000 jobs’ January 27, 2019 Fears that Tesco will axe 15,000 jobs emerged over the weekend, amid reports that Britain’s largest grocer is planning to overhaul some of its store operations as part of a £1.5bn cost-cutting plan. Reports in the Mail on Sunday said today that thousands of employees in Tesco’s meat, fish and delicatessen counters face the firing [...]
Unilever boss looks to mend fences with the City in upcoming results January 27, 2019 The City will be turning its gaze towards Unilever later this week, with the consumer goods giant looking to reassure investors after a turbulent year which ended with the departure of long-reigning boss Paul Polman. The blue-chip firm behind Marmite and Persil is set to post its full-year results on Thursday under the leadership of Alan [...]
Millions of illegal cigarettes being traded on the black market are costing the UK £2bn in tax January 26, 2019 Millions of fake or bootlegged cigarettes are being sold throughout the UK on the black market to avoid paying duty on them. County councils in Hertfordshire, Durham and Lincolnshire have found illegal cigarettes stashed behind walls, hidden in toilet cisterns and in sweet boxes. The selling of fake cigarettes results in over £2bn of tax [...]
January retail sales hit new low as Brexit uncertainty hits consumer spending January 25, 2019 Sales hit their lowest levels in more than seven years in January as Brexit uncertainty continues to rock the retail sector, according to a new CBI survey. The survey of 103 firms, just under half of which were retailers, showed sales in January were well below the average for the month and marked the lowest levels since [...]
Human bone discovered in socks from Primark January 25, 2019 Police are probing what is believed to be the discovery of a human bone in a pair of Primark socks. Officers from Essex Police are liasing with the retailer after it said socks bought from a Primark store in Colchester were reported to the force on 2 January. A police spokesman said: "Detectives are continuing [...]
Mike Ashley tells HMV landlords: Give me six months rent-free January 25, 2019 Retail tycoon Mike Ashley is reportedly demanding a rent holiday from landlords of HMV stores as he negotiates a rescue deal for the music retailer. Ashley has written to HMV’s landlords to see a six-month period without having to pay rent if he buys the chain, according to reports. The landlords include major players in [...]