Adverts in adversity: Johnny Hornby on the case for advertising through Covid-19 May 8, 2020 There’s no doubt the advertising industry has taken a battering in recent weeks, with the coronavirus crisis sparking the biggest fall in ad spend on record. In fact, with TV production on hold, it seems brands may have to turn to Zoom to keep their campaigns going. The downturn comes as little surprise. Marketing budgets [...]
The City View podcast, from City A.M., with Stephen Jones – CEO of UK Finance May 8, 2020 Listen to our daily City View podcast as we chart the economic fallout and business impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In this episode, Christian is joined by Stephen Jones, CEO of banking industry group UK Finance, which is at the heart of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). Subscribe to The City View Podcast: [...]
Car use on the rise as drivers await easing of lockdown measures May 8, 2020 The UK’s drivers have begun to use their cars more than earlier in the coronavirus lockdown period, an study by the RAC has found, ahead of Sunday’s announcement of how the measures will be eased going forward. Comparing data from last week to that in the second week of lockdown, the RAC found that the [...]
UK lockdown: Online sales soar 109 per cent to record high May 8, 2020 Online sales soared to a record high in April after high street stores shut their doors during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown. Non-store sales surged 109.6 per cent last month, the strongest result since records began 10 years ago, after all non-essential physical stores closed. However, overall retail sales plunged 29.6 per cent during the month [...]
Long queues and no discounts: London’s West End sets out rules as 600 shops prepare to reopen May 8, 2020 West End businesses have been advised to cut opening hours and abandon in-store promotions as London’s shopping and entertainment district prepares to reopen after the UK coronavirus lockdown. Retailers have been urged to only offer sales and promotions online to avoid drawing big crowds into stores. Visitor numbers will be managed with waiting areas to [...]
UK lockdown: Consumer confidence remains ‘severely depressed’ May 8, 2020 Consumer confidence in the UK’s lockdown economy remained “severely depressed” at the end of April, although research indicated there could be some pent up consumer demand when restrictions lift. GfK’s consumer confidence index was at minus 33 at the end of April, a one-point increase on the previous score. However, consumer confidence has plummeted 20 [...]
Any easing of lockdown restrictions will be modest, says Raab May 7, 2020 Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said that any easing of the UK’s current lockdown restrictions will be modest. In the Downing Street briefing, he said there is “no change in the rules” over the bank holiday weekend before Boris Johnson’s statement on Sunday. He emphasised that the Prime Minister would reveal details of a “roadmap” [...]
Exit strategy: How and when Boris Johnson will end the UK lockdown May 7, 2020 The Prime Minister is set to reveal a “roadmap” to end UK lockdown measures on Sunday, but what does the exit strategy look like, and when will measures be eased? Last week, Boris Johnson said the UK had “passed the peak” and today chairs a Cabinet meeting that will focus on what restrictions can be [...]
The Long Read: Sir Martin Sorrell on advertising, coronavirus and the new media landscape May 7, 2020 Sir Martin Sorrell has bestrode the ad world for decades – and in the midst of a global pandemic that has hit the industry hard, he’s understandably got some thinking to do. Christopher Jackson spoke to the ad mogul, and his interview for finitoworld – the organisation’s online magazine – is republished here. Prior to [...]
