Pepco: British Poundland veteran parachuted in to save struggling European wing September 28, 2023 A retail veteran, who was instrumental in driving UK growth for budget outlet Poundland, has been reshuffled by Pepco to head up its struggling European division. The move comes as the arm posted its second profit warning in three weeks. Barry Williams, who served as managing director of Poundland and Dealz, in the UK and [...]
London tenants rattled by shock order to tear down Greenwich tower blocks September 28, 2023 A shock order from Greenwich Council to demolish two recently built residential towers because they did not have accurate planning permission has rattled the tenants currently living there. On Monday, borough officials announced that the Mast Quay Phase II development, constructed by Comer Homes last year, should be torn down as the finished building looked [...]
Shepherd Neame: Pub chain posts record revenues as inflation woes start to cool September 27, 2023 Britain's oldest brewer Shepherd Neame is toasting record high first-half revenue as inflationary challenges begin to ease.
London sees 24 per cent drop in first-time buyers as high mortgage rates bite September 27, 2023 London experienced a 24 per cent decline in the number of first-time buyers entering the market in the last year as high mortgage rates crush home-ownership dreams.
Card Factory: Profits leap 72.7 per cent amid ‘challenging’ climate before Christmas September 26, 2023 Card Factory has reported a 72.7 per cent leap in profit before tax to the end of July, as the occasion market showed signs of strength despite the cost of living crisis. The seller of personalised celebration cards and gifts said revenues also grew 11.5 per cent to £220.8m as the company’s affordable products appealed [...]
Brighton Pier Group’s share price plummets as rail strikes hit footfall September 25, 2023 Brighton Pier Group’s share price nosedived over nine per cent today after it revealed that strike action on the UK’s rail network had hit the firm’s revenues. In the six months to July, total revenues for the group, which manages the iconic pier, were £16.2m, down from £17.3m for the same period last year. The [...]
Lib Dems chase ‘blue wall’ voters by scrapping plan to raise income tax by 1p September 25, 2023 The Liberal Democrats have dropped their plans to raise income tax by 1p in a bid to woo Conservative voters in so-called blue wall seats during the cost of living crisis. Leader Sir Ed Davey told the BBC he ruled out tax rises even on the wealthiest as his party seeks to target former Tories [...]
Aldi throws £1.4bn into expansion as discount grocer enjoys record sales September 25, 2023 German discounter Aldi will invest £1.4bn over two years to support its expansion plans, as customers seeking out cheaper groceries continues to be a boon for the business. The value supermarket revealed today that its annual sales increased by a whopping £2bn to £15.5bn in the year to December, a record for the store in [...]
Retailers put all their chips on inflation cooling during golden Christmas run-up September 22, 2023 A better than expected inflation reading, and growing consumer confidence and sales, have offered a glimmer of hope for the UK’s retail sector, as they turn their focus to the vital Christmas trading months. According to today’s ONS figures, retail sales volumes rose by 0.4 per cent in August 2023, partially recovering from a fall [...]
Consumer confidence continues to rise amid cost-of-living woes September 22, 2023 Consumer confidence is continuing to rise against a backdrop of falling inflation – but many households are continuing to struggle with cost-of-living pressures, according to a survey. GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased four points in September, but remains at a subdued minus 21. Expectations for the UK’s wider economy over the next 12 months [...]