FCA sets out plans to open up bond market to retail investors January 31, 2025 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out plans to slash “red tape” around the corporate bond market today in a bid to open up the asset class to retail investors and wealth managers. In consultation plans shared with City AM, the watchdog said it would look to coax more listed companies into issuing debt [...]
Business confidence dips but the UK ‘has what it takes to deliver growth’ January 31, 2025 Overall business confidence slipped in January, although it was driven down by poorer sentiment about the wider economy rather than about individual businesses. Overall business confidence dipped two points to 37 per cent, with just over half of businesses positive about their own trading prospects and just under a quarter positive about the wider economy. [...]
Mulberry: Luxury brand looks to turnaround ‘sub-optimal’ performance January 30, 2025 British luxury plan Mulberry has unveiled a turnaround plan aimed at rescuing the retailer from a period of decline. This comes after its share price has fallen 17 per cent in the last month and more than 30 per cent in the last year. Revenue for the last quarter of the year fell 18.3 per [...]
Asda ditches Aldi and Lidl price match promise just a year after launch January 29, 2025 Asda has axed its price-matching scheme with Aldi and Lidl in a bid to stop “dancing to the tune of the discounters”, according to reports. The Leeds-based firm, which in January 2024 became the first of the UK’s ‘big four’ to offer the scheme, said it wanted to focus on “its own great Asda prices, [...]
Tesco to cut 400 jobs as it moves to ‘more efficient’ working January 29, 2025 Tesco has announced plans to cut more than 400 jobs in a bid to improve efficiency at the grocer, following in the footsteps of Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons. The supermarket giant said that the “more competitive than ever” market means it must “work hard… to offer our customers unrivalled value”. “This means always being open [...]
Crew Clothing plans to open at least 20 stores in 2025 January 29, 2025 Crew Clothing has revealed plans to open at least 20 stores across the UK this year. The fashion retailer announced its intention to expand further after the brand added 15 new locations over the course of 2024. That flurry of openings included a new store in Paddington, a move which marked the company’s return to [...]
Morrisons sales surge as customer loyalty pays off January 29, 2025 Eating into the market share of its rivals and growing its loyalty card scheme helped sales surge at supermarket giant Morrisons during its latest financial year. The Yorkshire-headquartered chain has reported a revenue of £15.2bn for the 12 months to 27 October, 2024, up from £14.7bn. Its group like-for-like sales also increased from 1.8 per [...]
Virgin Wines: ‘A decent Christmas was needed and delivered’ January 29, 2025 Virgin Wines delivered a strong Christmas trading performance and outperformed the wider market, although revenue remained flat year on year. Revenue increased by 6.7 per cent year-on year during the six weeks to 27 December, 2024, the company told markets this morning. Sales rose nine per cent in December 2024 versus December 2023, reaching the highest level since the Covid-19 lockdowns, [...]
WH Smith: Travel drives growth ahead of possible high street exit January 29, 2025 Revenue at WH Smith rose four per cent in the first half of the financial year, driven by growth in its travel stores as it prepares to exit the high street. Total travel revenue rose six per cent like for like in the 21 weeks to January 25, while high street revenue dipped three per [...]
Stella McCartney buys back LVMH stake in her eponymous fashion brand January 28, 2025 Stella McCartney has bought back LVMH’s 49 per cent stake in her fashion brand, which the luxury giant has held for five years. McCartney will continue to advise LVMH chief Bernard Arnault and the group’s executive team on sustainability issues as global ambassador on sustainability. “This new chapter for Stella McCartney reflects her desire to [...]