Retail sales suffer worst year on record as lockdowns bite January 12, 2021 UK retail sales suffered their worst year on record in 2020 as Covid-19 lockdown measures decimated customer numbers. In-store sales of non-food items — which includes all non-essential retailers — dropped by almost a quarter last year compared to 2019. For 2020 overall, total sales declined 0.3 per cent on the previous year, marking the [...]
Sainsbury’s to enforce masks and shopping alone in Covid crackdown January 11, 2021 Sainsbury’s has become the second British supermarket to ban customers who refuse to wear a face mask amid a crackdown on Covid rulebreakers. The chain said shoppers will be prevented from entering without a face mask, while shopping in groups will also be banned. Sainsbury’s will put trained security guards at the front of stores [...]
United Arab Emirates removed from travel corridor list January 11, 2021 The United Arab Emirates has been removed from the UK’s travel corridor list following an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country. From 4am tomorrow, travellers returning to the UK from the UAE — including Dubai and Abu Dhabi — will need to self-isolate for 10 days. The Department of Transport said [...]
Ousted Credit Suisse boss Tidjane Thiam to launch ‘blank cheque’ venture January 11, 2021 Former Credit Suisse chief executive Tidjane Thiam is said to be launching a so-called blank cheque firm, a year after he was ousted following a lurid spy scandal. Thiam is raising $250m (£185m) for a special purpose acquisition vehicle that will invest in financial services businesses across the globe. JP Morgan Chase is helping to [...]
Man City investor Silver Lake eyes stake in New Zealand All Blacks January 11, 2021 The US private equity firm that holds a stake in Manchester City Football Club is said to be closing in on an investment deal with the New Zealand All Blacks. Silver Lake is in advanced discussions about taking a minority holding in New Zealand Rugby’s commercial rights arm and a deal could be announced as [...]
Exclusive: Sadiq Khan rows with London Assembly over police recruitment numbers January 11, 2021 Sadiq Khan has been asked why he is planning to “spend money he does not have” to hire 6,000 new police officers by March, while the Metropolitan Police budget has a projected £1bn black hole over the next three years. The London Assembly’s Budget and Performance Committee has asked the mayor to explain why he [...]
Social media site Parler sues Amazon over account suspension January 11, 2021 Controversial social media site Parler is suing Amazon over its decision to pull support for the app. The so-called free speech app, which is popular among right-wing extremists, accused Amazon of violating antitrust laws by suspending its account. In a complaint filed in Seattle, Parler said Amazon’s decision to stop hosting the app was “apparently [...]
Marks & Spencer buys Jaeger out of administration January 11, 2021 Marks & Spencer today confirmed it has bought fashion brand Jaeger, which collapsed into administration last year. The retailer has agreed to take over the Jaeger brand, and is finalising terms to buy up stock and marketing assets. The deal will not include any stores, and it is unclear whether any jobs will be saved. [...]
Keir Starmer calls for 24/7 Covid vaccine programme January 11, 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for the government to “put families first” during this Covid lockdown by extending paid flexible furlough to all working parents, while also calling for the UK’s weekly vaccine target to be doubled to 4m. The Labour leader called for a round the clock vaccine programme, which would see [...]
Classic Golf GTIs: driving Volkswagen’s hot hatch icons January 11, 2021 The Volkswagen Golf GTI has been the benchmark hot hatch since 1975. We drive the first three generations – which is the best of the breed?
