Government dismisses hopes of a new Brexit deal as ‘fantasy’ January 9, 2019 The government dismissed MPs hopes an alternative Brexit deal as “magical” delusions this morning ahead of parliament’s crucial vote on the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement. Cabinet Office minister David Lidington told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that there is no hope of negotiating a fresh deal with the EU if MPs vote down Theresa May’s [...]
Sainsbury’s suffers Christmas sales slowdown as Black Friday hurts the supermarket January 9, 2019 Like-for-like sales at Sainsbury’s fell by 1.1 per cent over the Christmas period, the supermarket said today. Total sales excluding fuel dropped by 0.4 per cent in the 15 weeks to 5 January, while general merchandise sales fell by 2.3 per cent and clothing by 0.2 per cent. Read more: Aldi sales hit £1bn in record Christmas [...]
Man dies after falling ‘from height’ in Canary Wharf shopping centre January 8, 2019 A man died after falling from a height in a Canary Wharf shopping centre this morning, marking the second death in the area in just two days. Emergency services were called to the scene in Canada Square at 8.44am but despite an air ambulance arriving, they could not save the man, believed to be in [...]
Labour and Conservative MPs join forces to attempt to block a no-deal Brexit by stripping government of powers January 8, 2019 Labour and Tory MPs have teamed up to table an amendment that seeks to force the government to rule out a no-deal Brexit. Conservative backbencher Nicky Morgan and Labour MP Yvette Cooper’s proposed amendment to the Finance Bill would limit the government’s spending powers if the UK leaves the EU with no agreement. It reportedly [...]
Morrisons increases sales for a fourth consecutive Christmas but shares fall as it loses market share January 8, 2019 Morrisons posted its fourth consecutive Christmas of growth today, crediting competitive pricing of key festive foods and customer service for its strong performance. Excluding fuel, total sales at the supermarket rose by four per cent in the nine weeks to 6 January, while like-for-like sales grew by 3.6 per cent, with retail contributing 0.6 per [...]
UK car sales fall for the second year in a row as Brexit uncertainty dampens demand January 7, 2019 UK car sales have fallen for the second year running, according to figures from an industry trade body released today. Dealerships sold 2.37m new cars in 2018, 6.8 per cent fewer than it managed in 2017, and 12 per cent below 2016’s peak of 2.69m, The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. The [...]
Dunelm shares climb on stronger sales outlook despite website closures January 7, 2019 Furniture firm Dunelm saw revenue grow by two per cent over the Christmas quarter after closing two struggling websites. The retailer earned £303.6m for the three months to the end of December, £6m more than the year before, while like-for-like sales rose nine per cent to £282.5m. Like-for-like store sales grew almost six per cent [...]
Eurostar celebrates new Netherlands train service with Amsterdam-style canal bridge at St Pancras station January 4, 2019 Eurostar has built a mock Amsterdam canal bridge at St Pancras station today to mark the introduction of its third daily high-speed rail service to the Netherlands. The train service from London to Rotterdam and Amsterdam will start on 11 June 2019 after Eurostar first opened its route to the Netherlands last April. “Our new [...]
Brexit in 2019: The only certainty is uncertainty January 4, 2019 Predicting what will happen in the world of politics is a notoriously difficult task at the best of times, but in the current all-bets-are-off climate, surely only a fool would give it a go. City A.M.’s Owen Bennett is that fool, and here are his tips for what to look out for. Brexit May's Brexit [...]
Huawei punishes staff after Happy New Year tweet sent from an iPhone January 4, 2019 Huawei staff have reportedly been punished after Twitter followers were wished a happy new year from the official account via an iPhone. The tweet was posted on New Year’s Day, wishing followers a "Happy #2019", but the message included automated text telling users it came “via Twitter for iPhone”. While the company promptly deleted the tweet, [...]
