Consumer confidence low ahead of ‘inevitable’ post-furlough job losses August 21, 2020 Consumer confidence remained low throughout August ahead of “inevitable” redundancies when the government winds down the coronavirus job retention scheme. According to the latest research, consumer confidence was minus 27 this month, flat compared to July’s reading. However, the coronavirus pandemic has seen optimism plummet since August 2019, when consumer confidence stood at minus 14. [...]
Portugal added to UK’s Covid-19 safe travel list August 20, 2020 Britons on holiday in Portugal will no longer need to quarantine when they return after the country was added to the UK’s safe travel list. The rule change, which comes into force at 4am on Saturday, means UK tourists do not have to self-isolate for two weeks after returning from Portugal. Travellers that return from [...]
Support for Lebanese wine industry soars after Beirut explosion August 20, 2020 Wine drinkers raced to snap up a box of Lebanese tipples to support the country following a huge explosion in Beirut, with the special offer selling out in record time. The Wine Society’s box of 12 bottles to support the country’s wine industry sold out within hours after going on sale earlier this week. It [...]
Are the Democrats sleepwalking into the US election? August 20, 2020 The first three days of the Democratic National Convention have progressed in the same conservative, risk averse manner of Joe Biden’s campaign so far. Despite having addresses from three former presidents, one former presidential nominee and a host of party grandees, there will be little if anything that will be remembered from the past three [...]
Estee Lauder to cut 2,000 jobs due to coronavirus pandemic August 20, 2020 Beauty brand Estee Lauder is preparing to cut up to 2,000 jobs due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on demand. The firm said it will slash between 1,500 to 2,000 jobs, or about three per cent of its workforce globally. It also said it is planning to close between 10 per cent to [...]
Steve Bannon charged with fraud conspiracy over US-Mexico border wall funding August 20, 2020 Steve Bannon, a former adviser to US President Donald Trump, has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in relation to a fundraising campaign to support the building of the US-Mexico border wall, the US Justice Department said today. Trump’s former White House chief strategist was arrested on charges that he defrauded donors to [...]
Alibaba gets lockdown revenue boost as US threat looms August 20, 2020 Alibaba today posted better-than-expected revenue and profit in its latest quarter as the coronavirus lockdown boosted trading in its core ecommerce business. The Chinese conglomerate booked revenue of 135.8bn yuan (£14.9bn) in the three months to the end of June, up 34 per cent on the same period last year. Net income also jumped from [...]
Mothercare finalises franchise agreement to sell products in Boots stores August 20, 2020 Mothercare has finalised a franchise agreement with Boots to allow it to sell products in the high street pharmacy chain’s stores. The retailer, which shuttered all of its UK stores after collapsing into administration last year, will sell Mothercare branded clothing, home and travel products in Boots stores from the Autumn. The franchise agreement, which [...]
No substitute for creativity in the office, says adland boss August 20, 2020 There is no substitute for face-to-face interaction in the creative process, the boss of advertising giant Havas London has said. Speaking on City A.M.’s The City View podcast, Xavier Rees, chief executive of Havas London, said there is a limit to what people can do away from the office. “It’s true to say we can [...]
McKinsey paid £560,000 to consult on Public Health England axeing August 20, 2020 Management consulting giant McKinsey was paid more £500,000 by the government to advise on the formation of a new public health authority in England. Health secretary Matt Hancock announced in a speech on Tuesday that Public Health England was to be replaced with a new body called the National Institute for Health Protection. The new [...]