Holiday Inn chief steps down as group sees bookings hike despite ‘economic tailwinds’ May 5, 2023 The chief of Holiday Inn owner International Continental Hotels (IHG) is to step down from the helm after nearly six years. Keith Barr, group chief executive officer of the global hotel chain will be succeeded by Elie Maalouf, who currently heads up its American operations. Barr has worked within the brand for almost 14 years, [...]
What lies ahead for London’s property market? May 5, 2023 All eyes remained on London’s housing market this week as a flurry of reports signalled a return to a stable property market in the capital, but analysts have warned that the storm may not be fully weathered yet… As reports by Rightmove showed on Friday morning, first time buyers in the capital continue to be [...]
Boohoo settles £156m court case over fake discount claims May 4, 2023 Boohoo has settled a staggering $197m (£156m) US court case in which the fast fashion giant was accused of faking discounts for customers. The pure-play online retailer, which also owns Pretty Little Thing and Nasty Gal, was accused of engaging in a “deceptive pricing scheme”, with the court filing claiming Boohoo would falsely raise the [...]
Mortgage rates ‘significantly’ increase – but what does it mean for the housing market? May 4, 2023 The number of mortgages being approved leaped in March in another signal that the outlook for the housing market is beginning to recover. Figures released today by the Bank of England showed that mortgage approvals for house purchases rose “significantly” to 52,000 in March from 44,100 in February. Lucian Cook, head of residential research at [...]
Derwent: London property investment trust credits ‘busy’ West-End and return to the office for uptake in leases May 4, 2023 Derwent, the London property investment trust, has told investors that London and the West-End is “busy” as a return to offices and shopping signal better times for the capital. In its first quarter trading update, the FTSE 250 real estate firm revealed a 6.6 per cent uptake in the number of leases secured which totalled [...]
Wolfson does it again? Next beats revenue expectations despite recession fears May 4, 2023 Next remained confident in front of investors this morning with better than expected sales in the first three months of the year.
Westminster council boss vows to crack down on illicit American candy stores May 3, 2023 The boss of Westminster City Council has called for “greater transparency” about who operates in the city as it looks to crack down on the business owners behind illicit American Candy stores which litter Oxford Street, with the chief urging for more progress from central government to tackle the issue. Cllr Adam Hug told members [...]
Coronation: £1m windfall for ceramics giant Halcyon Days as Brits buy King Charles plates and tea cups May 3, 2023 The chief executive of one of the UK’s biggest makers of luxury ceramics has said that Brits should not “underestimate” the value of the Royal Family, as it prepares to rack in a million pounds in sales from Coronation themed tea cups and plates. Pamela Harper, head of the Halcyon Days, a pre-eminent supplier of [...]
Swapping printing for press ups: Times publishing boss joins Gym Group as CEO in cost cutting bid May 3, 2023 The Gym Group has announced that seasoned business leader and publishing boss Will Orr has taken on the role of chief executive. The budget exercise chain drafted in the pricing pro to keep costs attractive amid the cost of living crisis. In his new role at the Gym Group, Orr will be leaving the world [...]
Barratt ‘on track’ but forward sales slow amid house price concerns May 3, 2023 Barratt Developments has assured investors that it is “on track” for the year despite revealing a decline in forward sales, however the group’s share price tumbled 0.32 per cent when markets opened. In a trading update this morning the London-listed house builder noted that the economic outlook remained “difficult” as it posted total forward sales [...]
