‘Bumper’ Boxing Day provides boost to struggling high streets Retail Boxing Day was a “bumper day” for all UK retail destinations as data shows shopper footfall was up 4.4 per cent on last year, making it the strongest increase in more than a decade, industry analysts said. The retail sector may end the year on a “positive note” as December 26 saw shoppers flock to [...]
Mothercare shares dive as firm warns future in ‘significant doubt’ Retail Shares in retailer Mothercare plunged by 10 per cent on Tuesday after the group cast “significant doubt” over its future on Tuesday. In a trading update it said it had breached an emergency loan agreement leaving the firm on the hook for millions of pounds. The AIM-listed company was set to repay an £8m loan [...]
Crane drain: Construction falls to 10-year low Property Commercial property development in the UK has plunged to its lowest level in over a decade, as tighter monetary conditions and sparse demand continue to weigh on construction. According to a fresh analysis from Costar, just 68m square feet of offices, industrial and retail sites was being developed at the end of September, a 16 [...]
On: Sales surge by £40m before Ibiza Final Boss viral boost December 19, 2025 Sales at sports clothes and shoes brand On in the UK jumped by £40m in the year before it went viral thanks to the ‘Ibiza Final Boss’. The brand was caught up in a social media sensation earlier this year when the ‘Ibiza Final Boss’, real name Jack Kay, was captured on video dancing at [...]
Wild by Tart launch limited edition gin in national supermarkets December 17, 2025 The founders behind Wild by Tart have launched a limited edition gin in national supermarkets as they look to expand from their restaurateur roots. The duo, who started their culinary careers as food columnists for the Evening Standard Magazine, launched Wild by Tart in October 2019 in London Victoria. They have now collaborated with Bathtub [...]
Fowl play: Morrisons loses £17m VAT battle over rotisserie chickens December 16, 2025 Supermarket giant Morrisons faces a £17m tax bill after the First-Tier Tax Tribunal threw out its dispute over VAT on cool-down rotisserie chickens. The dispute arose from George Osborne’s controversial 2012 Finance Act changes that sought to clarify the VAT treatment of hot takeaway food, famously known as the “pasty tax” debacle. Morrisons tried to [...]
Timberland owner cuts UK jobs as sales slip again December 15, 2025 Almost 100 jobs have been lost at the UK and Ireland arm of the retail giant behind the likes of The North Face, Vans and Timberland as its sales continued to fall during its latest financial year, it has been revealed. The division of VF Corporation, whose brands also include Eastpak, Kipling and Napapijri, cut [...]
Kellogg’s UK returns to profit despite £200m sales slump December 15, 2025 The combined UK operations of Kellogg’s returned to profit despite sales slumping by more than £200m during its latest financial year, it has been revealed. Kellogg’s runs two separate companies in the UK from its headquarters in Salford: Kellogg Marketing and Sales Company (UK) and Kellogg Company of Great Britain. For 2024, Kellogg Marketing and [...]
Next eyes Russell & Bromley deal December 13, 2025 The high street giant Next is reportedly considering making an offer to invest in Russell & Bromley, the shoe retailer that said it was looking for a fresh cash injection. It has been reported that the FTSE 100 company is among several possible parties interested in investing in the smaller retail brand. It is unclear [...]
2025: It’s been one hell of a year for UK business December 11, 2025 From political drama to market volatility, cyber attacks, takeovers and trade wars – 2025 has not been plain sailing. January: motor finance and angry farmers We began the year reporting on the exodus from the London stock exchange noting that 2024 had been the quietest year on record for new listings and we suggested that [...]