H&M sales pick up in March as some markets allow stores to reopen March 15, 2021 H&M announced that sales began to pick up in the first half of this month as coronavirus pandemic restrictions have lifted in some markets. Sales between 1 and 13 March were up 10 per cent in local currencies as many countries, including single-biggest market Germany, began to lift restrictions, allowing the retailer to open hundreds [...]
Vaccine rollout gives Tories a pre-election boost from over 64s, says expert pollster March 15, 2021 The UK’s quick rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine appears to have given the Tories a boost ahead of the May local elections among those over 64, according to an expert pollster. Lord Robert Hayward today told a group of journalists that Boris Johnson and the Conservatives’ improved poll ratings, which have been driven by an [...]
Best of travel: The world’s most exclusive nightclub is in a jungle March 15, 2021 To tide us over until we’re able to travel again, we’re republishing classic travel stories from our archives. Today we revisit Siobhan Grogan’s expedition through a jungle in Thailand in search of… a nightclub? ••• Clinging to the Cape Panwa peninsula on the very tip of south eastern Phuket, Sri Panwa is buried deep within [...]
Gambling Commission chief Neil McArthur steps down amid sector review March 15, 2021 Gambling Commission chief executive Neil McArthur is stepping down after less than three years in the role, the regulator announced today. McArthur has served at the commission for almost 15 years, joining as general counsel in 2006. He was appointed to the top job in April 2018. His surprise departure comes at a crucial time [...]
Central London retail footfall records double-digit growth weeks before stores reopen March 15, 2021 Central London retail footfall jumped last week as lockdown fatigue grew ahead of the date when restrictions will begin to ease. The number of shoppers visiting central London increased 14.3 per cent, ahead of other UK cities which recorded a more modest uplift of 2.3 per cent on average. Despite the double digit increase in [...]
Boris Johnson’s plan to tackle obesity must be backed by behavioural science March 15, 2021 The last 12 months have revealed clear links between obesity and Covid-19. As the Government pledges £100m to tackle this next great health challenge, what will it take to reduce our national waistline for life – not just life after lockdown? This month, the Government unveiled a new incentives and rewards approach designed to tackle [...]
Pandemic essentials: Hand gel, dumbbells and loungewear enjoy consumer boost March 15, 2021 Hand gel, dumbbells and men’s loungewear bottoms are among the latest post-pandemic additions to Britain’s official consumer price index this month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said today. Consumer habits have transformed throughout the pandemic, reflected in data from ONS which has, unsurprisingly, revealed a rise in casual clothing, home exercise equipment and travel-sized [...]
Covid-19: Forget the fashion pages, the ONS inflation basket tells us pandemic shopping trends March 15, 2021 Covid 19: Forget the fashion pages, the ONS inflation basket tells us pandemic shopping trends
Screwfix to open 50 new stores and create 600 jobs this year March 15, 2021 Screwfix is planning to open an extra 50 stores this year, creating around 600 new jobs, in response to the boom in demand for home improvements during the pandemic. The retailer, which is owned by B&Q parent company Kingfisher, will open 40 new branches in the UK, creating 500 jobs, and a further 10 in [...]
Shares in events firm Ascential slump as pandemic sparks hefty loss March 15, 2021 Shares in Ascential dropped this morning after the media and events firm revealed a hefty loss in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. The FTSE 250 company, which runs the Cannes Lions festival, reported a pre-tax loss of £166.5m last year, compared to a profit of £1.8m in the previous 12 months. The lacklustre [...]
