Star studded: Leonardo DiCaprio invests in vegan burger chain Neat April 28, 2022 Plant-based burger chain Neat has launched a Series B fundraise with US investors including Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio. The cash injection will be used to accelerate the company’s workforce and new product development, as it looks to expand both its restaurant and consumer goods arms. Neat, which already counts racing driver Lewis Hamilton as an [...]
Pernod Ricard cautions ‘softer’ fourth quarter as China hit by Covid lockdowns April 28, 2022 Absolut vodka maker Pernod Ricard has warned it faces a softer fourth quarter against a backdrop of Covid restrictions in China. The spirits firm’s chief financial officer said it was anticipating “an impact” from Covid restrictions during the fourth quarter. “March was very impacted by the start of Covid restrictions,” Helene de Tissot told the [...]
Whitbread issues stark warning on sector cost inflation April 28, 2022 Premier Inns owner Whitbread has cautioned hospitality sector cost inflation will hit a higher level than anticipated. The hotel chain owner said cost inflation this financial year was anticipated to reach between eight and nine per cent, one per cent more than previously expected. The group said it anticipated to largely offset these higher levels [...]
Meta shares surge despite Facebook owner’s weakest revenue growth for a decade April 28, 2022 Meta shares were lifted after the social media giant’s first earnings report, despite missing Wall Street analysts’ revenue estimates. Facebook’s owner saw shares surge some 13 per cent after, revealing it had managed to claw back some users, after previously reporting its first ever decline in user-numbers. Meta lost a staggering $230bn in market value [...]
Sainsbury’s warns of lower profit as grocer anticipates inflationary pressures April 28, 2022 Sainsbury’s has warned of a lower profit for the coming year as the grocer faces uncertainties including high inflation and cost of living pressures on shoppers. Sainsbury’s posted underlying profit before tax of £730m for the 2021/2022 financial year, a 104 per cent boost on the year prior, but warned of challenges down the line. [...]
Look inside: Coca Cola opens first European flagship store in Covent Garden April 28, 2022 Coca Cola has opened the doors to its first flagship store in Europe today, in a vote of confidence for the West End. After a number of stores in the US, including the beverage titan’s home territory in Atlanta, Coca Cola is testing the waters with a UK experiential destination. The store is set to [...]
New West End Company chief leaves role as chief of business group for down under April 28, 2022 The head of the New West End Company is departing to oversee improvements to Sydney’s Western Harbour shopping district. After six years at the industry body, Jace Tyrell is leaving to head Australia’s first business improvement district (BID), the New Sydney Waterfront Company. NWEC works across 80 streets in the central London heartland, representing 150,000 [...]
Overseas executives flock back to London as the relocations market explodes April 27, 2022 International business executives are flocking back to London, according to new data shared exclusively with City A.M. today, after the pandemic pushed many to return overseas. The return of bankers, investors and the sought have driven demand in the prime central London relocations market up 150 per cent in the first three months of this [...]
City Pub Group shares take off after pub chain’s Mosaic acquisition plans April 27, 2022 City Pub Group’s shares have climbed after the pub group said it was eyeing up to 70 sites by the end of next year. The premium pub operator saw shares lift 12 per cent on Wednesday afternoon after its preliminary results revealed trade had all but recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Trading for the last nine [...]
Kellogg’s to battle government’s sugar restrictions in court April 27, 2022 Cerealmaker Kellogg’s is taking the government to court over new legislation that will prohibit some high sugar products being prominently displayed in stores. The food titan argued the government’s formula should factor in the nutritional value of milk, which it says is eaten with cereal in the vast majority of cases. From October, retailers will [...]