Mike Ashley’s investments double to £1bn thanks to Hugo Boss shares July 17, 2025 The total value of the stakes Mike Ashley’s empire holds in the likes of Hugo Boss, AO World and Boohoo have doubled to £1bn in just over a year, it has been revealed. According to the group’s latest financial results, which have been filed with the London Stock Exchange, the value of its investments in [...]
Retail data threats peak in Q2, as UK sector grapples with cyber spree July 17, 2025 New analysis of cyber threat data suggests a clear seasonal pattern is emerging in retail-focused attacks, with the second quarter of the year consistently seeing a spike in malicious activity targeting retailers across the UK. The findings, based on Abnormal AI’s data collected between January 2023 and June 2025, indicate that threat actors are increasingly [...]
Swatch: Rachel Reeves’ tax hikes could see profit fall further July 16, 2025 Swiss watch brand Swatch has warned its UK profit could continue to shrink as a result of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ tax hikes. The business has said the increase in employer’s National Insurance contributions – which were announced in October 2024 and came into effect in April this year – will increase operational costs. Swatch added [...]
B&M’s shares drop despite hints of turnaround from new CEO July 15, 2025 B&M has reported a strong set of results under its new CEO after a tough year and a half marked by supply chain issues. But its share price still plunged by 13 per cent in early trades, pulled down by concerns about margin pressures like price deflation and cost inflation. The FTSE 250 company told [...]
McVitie’s changes tune on UK investment with £68m boost July 14, 2025 The company behind McVitie’s is set to invest millions in the UK despite the latter’s boss ‘dunking’ on the UK as an investment destination last year. London-based snacking giant Pladis will funnel £68m into its facilities, including £21m for its Jaffa Cake factory and £33m for the home of Jacob’s Cream Crackers. The funds will [...]
Wilkin & Sons: King’s jam maker returns to profit despite Reeves’ tax hikes July 11, 2025 Wilkin & Sons, the historic jams maker which supplies King Charles, has returned to profit despite the “significant strain” Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget put on its finances. The Essex-headquartered business, which is behind the Tiptree brand, said the “continued increased in National Minimum Wage” impacted its bottom line while high energy costs also hit its [...]
CBD brand backed by Vernon Kay and Tess Daly raises millions July 10, 2025 Goodrays, a CBD brand backed by Vernon Kay and Tess Daly, has raised £5m as it eyes future growth. The company has been backed by Guinness Ventures whose portfolio includes BBC Maestro, a celebrity-led e-learning business. The series A funding round also attracted the participation of existing and new institutional investors. The news comes after [...]
Not on the High Street slashes jobs as losses widen July 9, 2025 Not on the High Street has continued to slash jobs in a bid to stem its widening losses amid falling sales. The Bristol-headquartered business cut its headcount in March this year having also shed 70 members of staff in the year to 31 March, 2024. The update has been revealed in newly filed accounts with [...]
Will High Net Worths save LVMH’s share price? July 9, 2025 LVMH’s share price has taken a battering as nervous investors shy away from luxury companies amid a global downturn in the market. Its share price has fallen by more than 35 per cent since the end of January; it now trades at its lowest forward earnings multiple in seven years – roughly half that of [...]
Hovis: Losses widen amid Kingsmill merger talks July 9, 2025 Losses have widened at bread maker Hovis amid ongoing merger talks with the owner or rival Kingsmill, it has been revealed. Hovis, which is backed by private equity firm Endless, saw its pre-tax losses go from £3.6m to £4.7m in the year to 28 September, 2024. New accounts filed with Companies House also show its [...]