Shop staff wary of abuse as mandatory mask rules return SHOP STAFF Retail voices have said shop staff must not be expected to be put in harm’s way as compulsory mask rules make a return tomorrow. Londoners will be legally required to wear a mask in shops and on public transport once more from tomorrow, in a bid to prevent the spread of the new Omicron Covid [...]
Cyber Monday ‘huge success’ for retailers as payments up compared to lockdown shopping CYBER MONDAY Cyber Monday was deemed a big win for retailers after the volume of payments increased compared to last year’s shopping bonanza. The volume of payments rose 16.7 per cent compared to the same period on Cyber Monday 2020, according to live data from Barclaycard Payments. So far today, there has been a 4.5 per cent [...]
Central London only slightly busier amid Black Friday sales BLEAK FRIDAY Central London was only ever so slightly busier thanks to Black Friday deals last week as retail chiefs noted fewer shoppers than pre-pandemic levels. Central London saw a 2.3 per cent boost to footfall week on week for the week beginning 21 November. Footfall in the area was down 22.3 per cent on 2019 levels, [...]
Brits’ ski trips re-routed to French entry-points following fresh Swiss restrictions November 29, 2021 Brits may have to skip the slopes this year, as holidays firms begin to re-route or cancel Christmas trips to the Alps amid fresh travel restrictions. The uncertainty has bloomed as a result of a new Covid-19 variant known as Omicron, which has prompted Switzerland to force Brits entering the country to quarantine for 10 [...]
Asda sales dip as supermarket charters cargo ship to ensure Christmas stock availability November 29, 2021 Asda has reported a fall in underlying quarterly sales as it said it chartered its own cargo ship to ensure Christmas decorations and toys make it to UK shelves. The supermarket, owned by the billionaire Issa brothers and private equity firm TDR Capital, said like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, fell 0.7 per cent year-on-year in the [...]
Travelodge revenue boosted by staycations despite drop in ‘white collar demand’ November 29, 2021 Travelodge has reported buoyant third quarter results thanks to staycations helping to offset subdued corporate demand. Total revenue for the quarter ended 30 September was up 9.9 per cent compared to 2019, hitting £229.5m. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose 11.8 per cent to £53.54, compared to £47.89 in 2019. The budget hotel chain saw [...]
JD Wetherspoon and Budweiser ink 20-year partnership as brewer chain’s largest beer supplier November 29, 2021 Pub operator JD Wetherspoon has announced a 20-year deal with brewer Budweiser, which will become the chain’s largest beer supplier. JD Wetherspoon (JDW) will be ditching its 41-year association with brewer Heineken in favour of products from Budweiser Brewing Group. Beers including Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona and Bud Light will be on offer at JDW [...]
Over 17 million have used buy now, pay later services November 29, 2021 The number of people who have used Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services for their online shopping has now surpassed 17 million, according to reports. Klarna, the biggest BNPL player in the UK, has seen its number of customers double to 15m since last year, according to the BBC, which first reported the news. As [...]
Staffing challenges biggest issue for hoteliers as firms introduce ‘golden hellos’ to entice new workers November 29, 2021 Hoteliers believe increasing labour costs and a shortage of staff are the most weighty challenges to be faced by the sector over the next five years. Soaring staff costs were pegged as the biggest issue for 59 per cent of hotel bosses while a shortage of skilled labour troubles 54 per cent of those surveyed [...]
Staycation bidding war: Blackstone-owned Bourne Leisure to sell off Butlin’s November 28, 2021 British domestic holiday giant Butlin’s is reportedly set to be sold off next year, which could rally a bidding war amid the country’s staycation boom. Blackstone-owned Bourne Leisure, Butlin’s parent company, has already chosen bankers to undertake the auction sometime in 2022, Sky News’ Mark Kleinman reported. The value of the holiday chain is not [...]