Which retailers are reopening as the coronavirus lockdown lifts? June 12, 2020 After two months of being closed during the coronavirus lockdown, Britain’s high streets are coming back to life. Across the board, retailers across the country are working out how to get their businesses going again – and what measures they need to take to keep people safe. So what shops can customers expect to open [...]
Games Workshop coronavirus recovery going ‘better than expected’ June 12, 2020 Warhammer maker Games Workshop struck an optimistic tone this morning, as it said its recovery since reopening stores around the world has been better than expected. Shares in the London listed company rose 6.5 per cent this morning as it said it expects sales for the year to the end of May to be about [...]
Government faces fresh calls to relax two-metre rule to save hospitality industry June 12, 2020 The government should relax the two-metre social distancing rule, overhaul business rates, and create an Autumn bank holiday if it wishes to help businesses recover from the coronavirus lockdown, according to MPs and representatives from the hospitality industry. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism today said that companies in the hospitality industry had [...]
Kurt Geiger to donate first month of post-lockdown store profit to NHS June 11, 2020 Kurt Geiger will donate all of its store profit from the first month of trading after the coronavirus lockdown eases to the NHS. The shoe seller plans to open 24 of its 57 outlets across the UK on Monday. This will start with smaller stores which cater to a higher proportion of click-and-collect sales, as [...]
Competition watchdog cranks up pressure on Viagogo’s $4bn takeover of Stubhub June 11, 2020 Britain’s competition watchdog has ramped up its probe into Viagogo’s proposed $4bn (£3.2bn) takeover of rival ticketing website Stubhub. The Competition and Markets Authority said it was concerned the deal would drive up prices and reduce choice for buyers. This is in part because of the two companies’ already dominant position in the ticket resale [...]
Marmite lovers outraged at widespread lack of supply June 11, 2020 Some people love it, others hate it. But one thing is for sure: there is not enough Marmite to go around. Unilever, which manufactures the product was forced to admit yesterday that, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the famous spread was in short supply. This is because of widespread shortages of brewers’ yeast, one of [...]
Goldman Sachs to ‘reopen UK base on 15 June’ after lockdown eases June 11, 2020 Goldman Sachs is thought to be planning to reopen its mammoth London headquarters again on 15 June. The investment banking giant reportedly sent an email to staff, telling them that the £1bn space was being prepared for “a safe and effective transition back to office when the time is right.” In the email, seen by [...]
The Body Shop accused of ‘bullying’ JK Rowling after wading into trans rights debate June 11, 2020 The Body Shop has sparked controversy after weighing into a debate around transphobia by encouraging author JK Rowling to read up on trans rights in the bath. The Harry Potter writer, 54, had become embroiled in a heated online debate about transgender issues after criticising an article titled: “Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world [...]
Ocado shares slide on plans to raise £1bn amid coronavirus online boom June 11, 2020 Ocado shares fell this morning after the announcement that it plans to raise £1bn to help it capitalise on the online grocery market boom triggered by the coronavirus crisis. The British online supermarket and technology group said yesterday that it would raise about £657m through an equity placing and retail offer, and about £350m through [...]
Babcock suspends decision on dividend amid coronavirus uncertainty June 11, 2020 Engineering giant Babcock has pulled its final dividend until it has more clarity on the financial damage wrought by the coronavirus pandemic. The London listed firm swung to a full year loss of £178m, causing shares to sink four per cent in morning trading. It also warned it would need to cut costs in in [...]
