Insolvencies set to rise as Budget hikes business costs, Begbies Traynor warns November 18, 2024 A combination of elevated interest rates and higher business costs resulting from the Budget is set to lead to a spike in insolvencies, Begbies Traynor has warned. In last month’s Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves increased the amount employers have to pay in NICs by 1.2 per cent, and lowered the wage threshold at which employers [...]
Lower interest rates not enough to rally consumer confidence November 18, 2024 After a steady climb throughout the year so far, consumer confidence dipped in November amid warnings it could continue to fall into 2025. Overall confidence fell from 47.3 in October to 46.9 in November, according to the S&P Global UK Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) survey. The neutral mark is 50. Chief business economist at S&P, [...]
The best Rolex buys under £10k November 18, 2024 Rolex has long set the bar for luxury watchmaking, blending style, precision, and status like few brands can. While new Rolex models often carry high price tags, pre-owned options offer remarkable value, especially when curated by a trusted retailer. At ChronoFinder, a Hatton Garden-based watch specialist, we focus on sourcing the finest luxury timepieces across [...]
FCA bans director who stabbed man twice and concealed he was in jail November 18, 2024 A company director has been banned from working in financial services after stabbing a man twice in the neck and failing to notify the regulator of his conviction. Ari Harris was reprimanded by the Financial Conduct Authority today after his conviction following the incident in July 2020. He was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily [...]
HSBC asks managers to reapply for jobs in global cost-cutting drive November 18, 2024 HSBC is forcing managers in its newly formed corporate and institutional banking arm to reapply for their jobs as part of a sweeping cost-cutting drive, according to reports. Hundreds of managers have been asked to interview for their roles as the lender merges its corporate and investment banking businesses in a seeping restructuring plan, unveiled [...]
Huel: Record sales as profit triples at brand backed by celebrities November 18, 2024 Huel, which counts the likes of Idris Elba, Steven Bartlett and Jonathan Ross among its investors, has reported record sales as a profit almost tripled during its latest financial year. The Hertfordshire-headquartered company, which is known for its vitamin-enriched food items, has reported a revenue of £214m for the 12 months to 31 July, 2024, up from the £184.5m [...]
Budget could destroy seventh-generation pub giant, warns boss November 18, 2024 The changes announced in the Budget represent an ‘existential threat’ to the future of a seventh-generation pub and brewing giant, its owner has warned. William Lees-Jones, who owns and runs Manchester-based JW Lees, which has produced real ale since 1828, has warned he is now “facing the very real prospect that we will never be able to [...]
JD Gyms hails record year as sales pass £100m November 18, 2024 JD Gyms, which is part of the wider empire owned by FTSE 100 giant JD Sports, has posted a pre-tax loss despite its sales passing £100m in what the chain has described as a record financial year. The Greater Manchester-headquartered company has reported a pre-tax loss of £29,000 for the 12 months to 3 February, [...]
Go Outdoors: Brand owned by FTSE 100 giant JD Sports slumps to a loss November 18, 2024 Go Outdoors, which is owned by FTSE 100 giant JD Sports, has slumped into the red thanks to a “disproportionate” rise in costs. The business, which also operates the Go Outdoors Express, Taylor’s and Fishing Republic brands, has reported a pre-tax loss of £1.4m for the year to 3 February, 2024. The loss comes after [...]
Shein targets 2025 for London float November 18, 2024 E-commerce giant Shein is set to target early next year for its £50bn float on the London Stock Exchange, subject to pending regulatory approvals. It is set to hold an official investor roadshow in the coming weeks, during which the IPO-bound company will field large investors’ questions and test their investment appetite, according to The [...]