Retail profit warnings more than double as high street pressures mount July 21, 2025 Profit alerts among retailers more than doubled in the second quarter as consumers reined in their spending and firms faced soaring wage costs, according to a report. The latest report from EY-Parthenon also revealed that overall profit warnings among UK-listed firms jumped by a fifth year-on-year in the second quarter – with a record proportion [...]
Insolvencies ease in signs of UK businesses’ resilience July 18, 2025 Insolvencies declined slightly in June in signs UK businesses under pressure from higher costs have weathered through tax rises and low national spirits. In new data published by the Insolvency Service, company insolvencies fell by eight per cent in June compared to the month before. The number of insolvencies – 2,043 – was also 16 [...]
Burberry: Early signs of turnaround take shape July 18, 2025 Burberry reported a smaller-than-expected dip in sales this morning as new chief executive Joshua Schulman’s early efforts to revive the luxury label begin to take hold. In a trading update for the 13 weeks to 28 June, the British fashion house said retail revenue fell six per cent to £433m, with comparable store sales down [...]
Tesco seeks to appeal decision in ‘equal pay’ £4bn lawsuit ahead of final hearing July 17, 2025 Tesco is back in a courtroom this week seeking to overturn a legal decision ahead of a final trial over allegations of unequal pay at the supermarket giant
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 [...]