Snooze you lose: London sleep tech firm Simba sees sales s-leap 295 per cent May 20, 2021 London-based sleep technology company Simba has not slept on sales this year as it posted a 295 per cent leap, in its highest-ever first-quarter sales and profits. The record year-on-year UK sales jump suggests consumers have invested heavily in their sleep after a tough 12 months while online shopping has seen a surge in interest. [...]
Lockdown DIY: B&Q owner Kingfisher nails sturdy sales May 20, 2021 Kingfisher, which owns B&Q and Screwfix, has reported sturdy sales of £3.4bn this morning as lockdown measures pushed people to get creative with DIY and home renovations. Total sales soared 61.9 per cent in the group’s first-quarter results to 30 April today, which reflected the DIY fever that caught many during the last lockdown. Shares [...]
Mixer company Fever-Tree enjoys sales bump as lockdown drinks continue May 20, 2021 Beverage company Fever-Tree has seen a 10.1 per cent year-on-year sales bump as people continue to indulge in more alcoholic drinks throughout lockdown measures. Fever-Tree, which sells carbonated mixers, enjoyed a sales boost in the first four months of the year ending 18 April, thanks to strong levels of ‘at-home consumption’, the group said. Demand [...]
Vodafone: Pandemic-induced remote working hit women hardest May 20, 2021 Nearly half of all women who leave the workplace for over a year suffer from a loss of confidence, according to a new report today, which urged employers to further support employees as they flock to offices once again. As Covid restrictions are being eased, the study published today by Vodafone, found that women can [...]
Covid-19: Surge testing and vaccines to be introduced in Hounslow May 19, 2021 Surge testing and additional vaccines will be rolled out in Hounslow amid concerns about the spread of Indian Covid-19 variant. Health secretary Matt Hancock today told MPs that cases of the new Covid variant now stood at almost 3,000 after increasing by almost a quarter since Monday. As a result, surge testing and extra vaccine [...]
Croydon tram crash: Driver may have had ‘micro-sleep’ May 19, 2021 The driver of a tram involved in a fatal crash in Croydon in 2016 may have been “disorientated” following a so-called micro-sleep, an inquest has heard. Simon French, chief inspector for the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), said there was evidence the driver thought he was travelling in the wrong direction. He told an inquest [...]
US law firm eyes City skyscraper 22 Bishopsgate for new headquarters May 19, 2021 A US law firm is said to be eying up office space in the new 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper, marking a major show of confidence in the City after the pandemic. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is closing in on a deal to lease several floors in the building, which is the largest building in [...]
London houses now average £500,000, as UK-wide prices rise at fastest rate in 14 years May 19, 2021 London houses now average £500,000, as UK-wide prices rise at fastest rate in 14 years
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? May 19, 2021 City A.M.‘s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every Wednesday afternoon. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Ex Co-op CEO joins Boomin’s board Property site Boomin has bagged itself a retail veteran this week, who is set to join the board as a non-executive director at its next [...]
Dunelm sales better than expected thanks to lockdown living space upgrades May 19, 2021 Homeware’s retailer Dunelm enjoyed a better-than-expected sales lift over the tail end of the UK’s third national lockdown, the group said today, despite only being able to trade for five weeks after the 12 April easing of restrictions. Customers were able to flock to stores in mid-April after a winter lockdown, despite the reduced trading [...]