B&M gets lockdown sales boost as customers turn to DIY May 29, 2020 Discount chain B&M today reported a sharp rise in sales as customers stockpiled groceries and DIY equipment during the coronavirus lockdown. In the first eight weeks of the new financial year the retailer posted a 22.7 per cent rise in life-for-like revenue, as surging demand for gardening and DIY products offset a decline in customer [...]
More than 100 MPs call for extension to self-employed relief package May 29, 2020 A group of 113 MPs have signed a letter urging chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend the £6.8bn coronavirus relief package for self-employed workers. The letter, written by Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh, said people across the country would be “left without work and without support” if the scheme is not extended past its current June end [...]
Consumer confidence among millennials jumps during lockdown May 28, 2020 Consumer confidence among millennials has jumped during the UK coronavirus lockdown, according to the latest research. Sentiment in the 25 to 34 age group has risen from minus seven in April to 16 this month, a survey tracking expectations of future disposable income and shopping behaviour showed. The age group has overtaken the 18 to [...]
Coronavirus: People in England can meet in groups of six outside from Monday May 28, 2020 People in England will be able to meet up to five friends or family members from outside their household from Monday. Boris Johnson announced today that meetings can happen either in public spaces or in backyards and other private outdoor spaces, but a two-metre distance must always be kept. “These changes mean that friends and [...]
UK coronavirus death toll rises by 377 to 37,837 May 28, 2020 The UK’s coronavirus death toll has risen by 377 to 37,837, according to figures released today by the Department of Health. As of 9am this morning, 119,587 tests were carried out or dispatched with 1,887 positive results. However, the number of people tested was unavailable again, according to the Department of Health. Overall nearly 4m [...]
Monsoon Accessorize teeters on brink of administration May 28, 2020 Fashion retailer Monsoon Accessorize is preparing to appoint administrators, putting up to 3,500 jobs at risk, as the coronavirus crisis continues to pile pressure on the already struggling UK high street. Monsoon Accessorize is expected to file a notice of intention to appoint administrators in the next few days, Sky News reported. FRP Advisory, which [...]
Easyjet to axe 30 per cent of staff as coronavirus hits airline sector May 28, 2020 Budget airline Easyjet today said it would cut up to 30 per cent of its staff and reduce its fleet in preparation for an expected slowdown in flights in the aftermath of coronavirus. Easyjet said it would launch a consultation with staff in the upcoming days. The airline said it does not expect demand to [...]
Competition watchdog secures £47m in overdraft refunds from major banks May 28, 2020 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has secured £47m in refunds for consumers from banks which failed to properly warn them about overdraft charges in the last two years. Customers with personal current accounts must receive a text alert warning of fees before banks charge them for an unarranged overdraft. Today, the CMA announced that [...]
UK, US, Australia and Canada hit out against new Hong Kong security legislation May 28, 2020 China’s new security legislation will “dramatically erode Hong Kong’s autonomy” and impinge on its citizens civil liberties, according to a joint statement from the UK, US, Australia and Canada. A letter signed by foreign ministers of the four nations said the new clampdown by China was a breach of “the legally-binding, UN-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration” [...]
McColl’s hires ex-Casual Dining Group finance chief May 28, 2020 Convenience store chain McColl’s has hired former Casual Dining Group finance chief Giles David, the retailer announced this morning. David will join the company as chief financial officer on 1 June, after leaving Casual Dining Group, which owns Bella Italia, Las Iguanas and Cafe Rouge, last year. McColl’s also announced this morning that chief commercial [...]