Fruit juices, drinks and smoothies might not be one of your “five a day” according to new sugar study March 24, 2016 Just a few weeks after it was revealed how much sugar was lurking in your Starbucks coffee drinks and a fortnight since George Osborne announced a sugar tax on soft drinks, it seems fruit juice could be another villain too. The authors of a new study have even gone so far as to suggest that [...]
Bottoms up to Great Brewtain: Old Speckled Hen, Doom Bar and Hobgoblin are the nation’s three top ales, according to Tesco March 23, 2016 If you don't still know the difference between ale and beer, now might be the time to learn – ale sales have shot up over 14 per cent in the past year. And, if you still need help discerning them next time you're at the pub, Old Speckled Hen, Doom Bar and Hobgoblin are the UK's [...]
At the close: FTSE 100 rises despite tourism stocks dropping in wake of Brussels attacks March 22, 2016 Tourism stocks took a hit today in the wake of attacks in Brussels, holding the FTSE 100 index back from closing higher. The index closed 0.13 per cent higher at 6,192 points. "European equities dropped on Tuesday after a coordinated set of terrorist attacks at the airport and metro stations in Brussels sent investors out [...]
Supermarkets reap over £1bn of property investment in 2015 as new buyers pile in March 22, 2016 Britain's supermarket sector attracted over £1bn of property investment last year as investors shrugged off the price wars and and went in search of stable returns. Research released today by Colliers International and data analytics provider MSCI revealed that deal volumes reached £1.4bn in 2015, up slightly on the previous year but down on the record [...]
After the government’s volte-face on the sugar tax, will marketeers be left with a crashing low? March 22, 2016 Should the announcement of a sugar tax in last week’s Budget have marketeers worried? It certainly represents a volte-face on the part of the government. In October, when the advisory group Public Health England (PHE) released a report recommending measures to tackle childhood obesity, including a sugar tax of 10 to 20 per cent, a [...]
The Waitrose effect: Living near to the supermarket can double your house price March 21, 2016 We all know that properties near good schools can command higher than average prices – but what about your local supermarket? If you're lucky enough to live within walking distance of a Waitrose, your home is likely to benefit from an uplift to your house price, new research from Emoov claims. It's not clear what [...]
Tesco’s share price rises as supermarket takes fight to the discounters with launch of seven value own-label ranges March 21, 2016 Tesco has added fuel to the supermarket price war after launching a range of entry level own-label brands that will challenge the discounters on price. The retailer's share climbed by more than one per cent this morning after it said it will sell around 80 fresh, meat and poultry products under seven new "Farms" brands which, in many cases, will either match or [...]
BT plays catch up to Sky over on-demand TV March 20, 2016 Telecoms giant BT is looking into gaining further control over on-demand TV service YouView from TalkTalk in an attempt to build up its market share of the premium TV industry and catch leader Sky. BT has held informal talks with TalkTalk over the future of the joint business venture, which would allow BT to pour [...]
Sainsbury’s boss Mike Coupe celebrates a Sport Relief windfall with David Walliams and Eastenders star Maddy Hill as the grocery giant raises more than £7m for charity this year March 20, 2016 Sainsbury's boss Mike Coupe must be feeling pretty confident about his store's competitive streak. A week after revealing strong results, the superstore boss got together with soap opera stars to celebrate the success of Sainsbury's Sport Relief Games. This year, the grocery giant has raised over £7m in aid of Sport Relief, culminating in a series fitness [...]
Battersea Power Station unveils the first “local, artisanal” tenants at its Circus West retail development March 17, 2016 Battersea Power Station has unveiled the first of the tenants for its Circus West retail development – and there's a decidedly olde worlde feel about them. The team behind the giant development, which will eventually include thousands of homes, shops and offices – as well as leisure space and parkland – said each of the [...]