Cherie Blair’s firm Omnia leads legal battle against government’s buy-to-let tax February 1, 2016 Cherie Blair is set to challenge the government in court over controversial tax relief changes for buy-to-let landlords, arguing that it breaches human rights. Omnia Strategy, the law firm founded by the wife of former Labour Prime Minister Cherie Blair, has sent a letter to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on behalf of landlords Steve [...]
John Lewis to launch in the Middle East with Dubai store February 1, 2016 John Lewis is ramping up its expansion outside of the UK with plans to open its first store in the Middle East. The department store group has struck a deal to open a shop-in-shop in the Robinsons department store in Dubai Festival City Mall – both of which are part of Middle Eastern retail conglomerate Al-Futtaim. The 15,000 square feet shop will be [...]
Crown Estate chairman Sir Stuart Hampson steps down February 1, 2016 Sir Stuart Hampson has announced plans to step down as chairman of The Crown Estate, one of the UK's biggest landlords, after six years in the role. Hampson, a former civil servant and chairman of John Lewis for 14 years, took responsibility for the Crown Estate in 2010 during a difficult year, when its portfolio lost value [...]
Morrisons adds fuel to the supermarket price war with another round of price cuts January 31, 2016 Morrisons has added fuel to the price war after announcing a further round of cuts in an effort to win back customers and revive sales. The Yorkshire-based supermarket said it will slash the price of 1,072 items, with an average price cut of 19 per cent on fruit and vegetables. The price of a kilo of Morrisons onions, for example, [...]
Retailers face uncertain jobs outlook over fears of rising costs January 29, 2016 The number of retailers planning to hire more staff has dropped sharply over the last year, a new survey today shows, due to concerns over rising costs from the introduction of the National Living Wage and the Apprenticeship Levy. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and law firm Bond Dickinson’s latest employment monitor found that 21 [...]
Retail administrations fall sharply in 2015 as Christmas claims less casualties January 28, 2016 Retail administrations fell by 19 per cent in 2015, new research shows, as the Christmas trading period claimed less victims than in previous years. The number of retailers collapsing into administration fell to 96 from 119 the previous year, according to accountancy firm Deloitte. Company administrations in all sectors in England fell by 12 per [...]
How Tyrrells aims to be the big cheese (and onion) of the crisp world January 28, 2016 Six years ago, David Milner received a phone call from private equity firm Langholm Partners, the former owners of Tyrrells Crisps. They needed help. After an eight-year growth spurt, sales at the posh crisp brand had turned rather stale and Langholm wanted the former Mars and Campbell’s Soup executive on board. “The first thing I [...]
Household spending power slows to 14-month low, Asda income tracker shows January 28, 2016 The average household income grew at its slowest rate in 14 months, a new survey has found, due to a slowdown in wage growth and a slight increase in inflation. According Asda's Income Tracker published today, consumers were £13 – or 7.2 per cent – better off year-on-year in December with an average of £194 of [...]
Crest Nicholson shares rally as full-year profits jump by a third January 26, 2016 Crest Nicholson has posted bumper full-year profits as the housebuilder stormed ahead with plans to build 4,000 homes by 2019. Home completions rose by eight per cent to 2,725 homes in the year to 31 October, with sales revenues up by 26 per cent to £804.8m. The strong performance helped drive a 32 per cent [...]
Sushi and sandwich maker Greencore serves up a jump in quarterly sales January 26, 2016 Food supplier Greencore has recorded a 7.2 per cent jump in first quarter sales, boosted by new product launches and strong growth in its convenience food business. The company, which suppliers supermarkets with products ranging from sushi to cakes and yorkshire puddings, reported sales of £356m in the 13 weeks to 25 December 2015. Its convenience food [...]
