John Lewis may convert department stores into affordable housing July 30, 2020 John Lewis is considering converting some of its store estate into housing in an attempt to strengthen its services business as the high street battles the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The retailer, which owns the department store chain and Waitrose, said it is exploring the concept of new mixed-use affordable housing with third parties. [...]
Retail restraint: John Lewis and Primark decline government help to play the long game July 16, 2020 For retail, the story of Covid-19 has been one of survival. Inevitably, the sector has looked to the government for assistance. Even the most hardened devotee of the free market has seen the Treasury’s coffers as a life belt to help companies get through the worst of the pandemic. Change and adaptation can come later. [...]
Number of jobs available in London plummets due to coronavirus July 15, 2020 The number of jobs available in London during the second quarter plummeted as the coronavirus crisis took hold. In April, there was a 72 per cent drop in the number of job vacancies with just a one per cent decrease in job seekers across the period, according to Morgan McKinley research. By the end of [...]
Firms may still be taxed even if they return furlough money July 14, 2020 Businesses may still be taxed on the furlough scheme funds they receive even if they return the cash to HMRC. At the start of the coronavirus lockdown the government introduced the job retention scheme, which pays 80 per cent of salary costs for furloughed staff. Last week Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the “job retention bonus” [...]
John Lewis to join Primark in rejecting government jobs retention bonus July 13, 2020 Department store chain John Lewis is expected to join Primark in rejecting the government’s offer of a job retention bonus. The chancellor last week announced that firms could claim a £1,000 bonus for each worker they bring back from furlough and continue to employ until at least January. John Lewis, which last week announced the [...]
The City View: With Stefan Boscia July 12, 2020 Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS In today’s podcast, Andy Silvester is joined by City A.M.’s political reporter Stefan Boscia as we review the Sunday papers in light of the summer statement – and look ahead to tax rises, deficits and the political ramifications. Andy also discusses the Facebook boycott, Primark’s decision not to take [...]
Liberal Democrats secure coronavirus briefing with Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey July 12, 2020 Liberal Democrat MPs will get a briefing from Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey on Thursday in order to get a more “realistic” view of the British economy. The closed door meeting will give the party’s 11 MPs a chance to quiz the Bank of England boss about the UK’s economic recovery prospects and the [...]
Primark set to reject Treasury’s furlough bonus payment July 12, 2020 Primark will reportedly reject a £30m bonus handout unveiled in the Chancellor’s summer statement. The retailer has said it will not claim the £1,000 payment for every worker it brings back from furlough, according to the Sunday Times. Last night gambling firm William Hill also reportedly indicated it would also reject the furlough bonuses worth [...]
Nasdaq hits all-time high after data shows record jobs growth in US July 2, 2020 Wall Street surged on Thursday, with the Nasdaq hitting an all-time high as strong US jobs data and renewed hopes of a coronavirus vaccine buoyed equities. The FTSE 100 also rose on optimism over a possible vaccine, ending the session 1.34 per cent up. The midcap FTSE 250 added 1.04 per cent. Read more: Primark [...]
Primark owner shares surge as traders welcome ‘encouraging’ reopening July 2, 2020 Shares in Primark owner ABF jumped 4.5 per cent this morning after the firm issued a positive trading update over its chances of bouncing back from the coronavirus pandemic. Although group revenue at Associated British Foods (ABF) dropped 39 per cent in the third quarter, led by a collapse in sales at high street fashion [...]