AO World strikes deal with Peter Jones to snap up Jessops September 24, 2026 AO World has struck a deal with Dragons Den star Peter Jones to acquire struggling camera retailer Jessops. The online retailer did not disclose how much it paid for the group but said the acquisition was funded from its “existing cash resources.” AO World said the deal “supports our strategy of expanding into adjacent categories, [...]
Burnham urged to boost West End with tax cuts and extra policing September 24, 2026 The West End risks losing its status as one of the world’s best shopping and hospitality destinations without immediate action to cut tax and boost policing, Andy Burnham has been warned. The New West End Company (NWEC), which represents 800 businesses involved in the world-famous district, has urged the government to slash business rates and [...]
Tesco’s slow retreat from Europe is depressing September 24, 2026 Working with Tesco can be both a blessing and a curse, a relative of mine, who used to work in wine sales in Australia, recently told me. Some winemakers who struck deals with the British supermarket, one of the world’s biggest purchasers of wine, would quickly be rolling in cash, such were the size and [...]
Healey urged to cut business costs as consumer confidence slips September 24, 2026 Retailers have called on John Healey to slash the “burdensome” costs of doing business at the Budget next month, warning that consumer confidence will continue to stumble without urgent action. The British Retail Consortium (BRC), which represents top retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer, has urged the Chancellor to tackle the “triple blow” [...]
Collagen business founder loses £3.6m tax battle September 23, 2026 The founder of a collagen company has lost a battle over a £3.6m tax bill after a judge ruled his product could not be classified as food and therefore cannot claim VAT exemption. Tony Sanguinetti founded Minerva Research Labs in London in 2009 after he “became slightly obsessed with finding a way to reverse the [...]
Every Lidl helps: German grocer’s owner poised to snap up Tesco stores September 23, 2026 The owners of Lidl are among the front runners to snap up dozens of Tesco stores as the British supermarket chain seeks to offload some of its biggest subsidiaries. Schwarz Group is expected to submit an offer for Tesco’s Czech and Slovakian businesses, according to the Financial Times, after the FTSE 100 firm said it [...]
Co-op blames job cuts on Labour national insurance raid September 23, 2026 Co-op group has slashed its headcount this year to handle the added costs of Labour’s national insurance raid, its chief executive has revealed, saying the tax hikes had pushed the retailer to invest in more automation. The group, which runs life insurance and funeral businesses as well as its grocery arm, said on Wednesday that [...]
Co-op looks to funeral arm in hunt for turnaround from cyber-attack September 23, 2026 Co-op posted a jump in turnover at its funeral arm, as the member-owned group said it is setting out the foundations to recover from a costly cyber-attack last year. Kate Allum, interim chief executive of the food-to-insurance firm, said the group is facing a “year of two halves” and will see its turnaround plan deliver [...]
JD Sports bemoans ‘tough trading’ as US sales slip September 23, 2026 JD Sports has seen revenue and profit slip so far this year, as weak consumer confidence in its key US market drives a “tough trading environment”. Régis Schultz, chief executive of the so-called ‘King of Trainers’, said on Wednesday that he is “encouraged” by the progress towards his growth plan while admitting that cost-of-living pressures [...]
Debenhams owner facing scrutiny from data protection watchdog September 23, 2026 Few quirks of modern life are so hated as the inability to cancel a subscription. For retail giant Debenhams, that ire could land it in hot water with the UK’s data protection watchdog. The retailer is facing scrutiny from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) after the watchdog received multiple complaints from consumers who could not [...]