FTSE 100 live: London markets set for lacklustre opening as lingering Middle East woes offer little relief
Support for Lebanese wine industry soars after Beirut explosion August 20, 2020 Wine drinkers raced to snap up a box of Lebanese tipples to support the country following a huge explosion in Beirut, with the special offer selling out in record time. The Wine Society’s box of 12 bottles to support the country’s wine industry sold out within hours after going on sale earlier this week. It [...]
Estee Lauder to cut 2,000 jobs due to coronavirus pandemic August 20, 2020 Beauty brand Estee Lauder is preparing to cut up to 2,000 jobs due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on demand. The firm said it will slash between 1,500 to 2,000 jobs, or about three per cent of its workforce globally. It also said it is planning to close between 10 per cent to [...]
Tower of London ravens flee to find food as visitor numbers fall August 20, 2020 Ravens at the Tower of London are fleeing to look for food due to sluggish visitor numbers at the tourist attraction. According to legend, if six ravens permanently abandon the tower, which houses the Crown Jewels, the kingdom, the crown and the building will fall. The attraction closed on March 20 ahead of the UK’s [...]
Mothercare finalises franchise agreement to sell products in Boots stores August 20, 2020 Mothercare has finalised a franchise agreement with Boots to allow it to sell products in the high street pharmacy chain’s stores. The retailer, which shuttered all of its UK stores after collapsing into administration last year, will sell Mothercare branded clothing, home and travel products in Boots stores from the Autumn. The franchise agreement, which [...]
London pubs and restaurants suffer sharp sales drop in July August 13, 2020 UK pubs, bars and restaurants suffered a 50 per cent drop in sales in July as the sector reopened after lockdown, with London the worst affected area in the country, according to the latest research. London venues were the worst hit, falling 58.3 per cent last month, compared to July 2019, while hospitality firms outside [...]
Customers question value of clothes bundles in Edinburgh fashion firm’s Lost Stock charity venture August 12, 2020 Frustrated customers have hit out at Lost Stock, a coronavirus charity venture led by an Edinburgh-based fashion company, claiming it misled shoppers over the value and quality of items sold. Mallzee launched its Lost Stock initiative in June following reports that some high street stores had cancelled stock orders with clothing factories in Bangladesh, which [...]
Dr Martens returns government furlough money after ‘resilient’ trading August 12, 2020 British shoe brand Dr Martens has returned money from the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme due to resilient trading during the pandemic. Dr Martens, which closed all of its stores in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and America from 16 March, said it had repaid the funds from the UK government furlough scheme. UK-based retail [...]
Asos shares jump as profit forecast raised due to online shopping boom August 12, 2020 Shares in fast fashion retailer Asos jumped this morning after it announced that full-year sales and profit are expected to beat forecasts due to an online shopping boom during the UK coronavirus lockdown. Asos said revenue growth is expected to be between 17 per cent and 19 per cent, with profit before tax of around [...]
Just Eat Takeaway sales soar during coronavirus lockdown August 12, 2020 Food delivery giant Just Eat Takeaway saw revenue soar 44 per cent in the first half of the year as consumers ordered food at home while restaurants closed during lockdown. The figures Revenue was up 44 per cent to €1bn as lockdown restrictions forced restaurants to close and consumers were told to stay at home. [...]
Debenhams axes 2,500 jobs in bid to cut costs after coronavirus lockdown August 11, 2020 Debenhams has axed 2,500 jobs as it seeks to reduce costs following the coronavirus lockdown, in the latest blow for the struggling UK high street. The department store chain, which permanently closed 20 stores during lockdown, said the trading environment is “clearly a long way from returning to normal” after lockdown restrictions were lifted. The [...]