Super-rich international shoppers flock to UK department stores February 4, 2020 The UK is the second most popular shopping destination in the world for super-rich tourists, with visitors spending up to €35,000 each with luxury British retailers, according to the latest research. Britain attracts 31 per cent of international “elite shoppers”, second only to France which took a 36 per cent share last year. Super-rich visitors [...]
Combined Just Eat and Takeaway.com shares start trading February 3, 2020 The combined shares of Just Eat and Takeaway.com began trading this morning, despite a competition watchdog probe into the merger. Just Eat’s shares were suspended this morning and the merged company Just Eat Takeaway.com began trading on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker Jet. However, a full integration of the two takeaway platforms is [...]
Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct bags stake in designer brand Mulberry February 3, 2020 Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has snapped up a stake in British luxury handbag company Mulberry, as the billionaire businessman seeks to rebrand his company as a premium retailer. Sports Direct, which has recently been rebranded as Frasers Group, has taken a 12.5 per cent stake in the designer brand. The deal signals a further [...]
Retail CEO turnover spikes in challenging year for sector February 3, 2020 Retail chief executive turnover reached a seven-year high in 2019 as the sector faced one of the toughest 12 months on record. The rate of chief executive churn increased 25 per cent on the previous year as the retail industry struggled with low consumer confidence, Brexit uncertainty, changing shopping habits and rising overheads. The latest [...]
New Tesco boss’s start date delayed until October February 3, 2020 The start date of Tesco’s new boss Ken Murphy has been pushed back as he is forced to see out a non-compete agreement. The supermarket giant announced in October last year that chief executive Dave Lewis will step down this summer, and will be succeeded by Walgreens Boots Alliance veteran Murphy. However, the grocer said [...]
Hostel chain Safestay reports strong start to 2020 February 3, 2020 Boutique hostel brand Safestay said it had “momentum” going into this year after sales surged in 2019 following its portfolio expansion. Total revenue increased 25 per cent to £18.3m last year as the hostel chain opened eight new venues, taking its total portfolio to 21 sites and more than 5,100 beds. Like-for-like revenue was up [...]
Audit resignations jump as sector faces regulatory pressure February 3, 2020 The number of audit firms to resign from jobs jumped last year as the sector comes under increasing regulatory pressure. Resignations have risen 21 per cent to 229 in 2018/19, up from 190 the previous year, according to the latest research by Thomson Reuters. The spike in resignations comes as audit companies are increasingly in [...]
Flexible office firms push ahead with growth in competitive market February 3, 2020 The UK’s biggest co-working office firms grew rapidly last year, despite operating in an increasingly competitive market. Shared office providers grew their portfolios by 22 per cent in the last year, as major players such as Wework expanded into new global markets. The value of Wework’s UK portfolio jumped 30 per cent from £3.05bn to [...]
Boxpark’s profits jump as pop-up venue targets UK expansion February 3, 2020 Boxpark reported a jump in profit last year as the pop-up shipping container venue sets its sights on expansion outside of London. The food and retail operator – which launched in Shoreditch in 2011 – said net profit was up 22 per cent to £1.6m and turnover soared 58 per cent to £12.5m in the [...]
Tech start-up Cera acquires Mears Care February 3, 2020 Homecare tech start-up Cera Care has acquired Mears Care in a deal worth more than £30m. The acquisition will boost Cera’s employee numbers to 2,000, with 20 offices across the country and the ability to deliver more than 10,000 visits a day. The London-based startup said the deal will allow it to roll out its [...]
