Quiz swings to profit as it heads into Christmas party dress season December 7, 2022 Fashion retailer Quiz has continued to bounce back after a torrid lockdown, swinging back into the black in the first-half of the year. The retailer – which operates 62 stores in the UK and an e-commerce platform – posted a £1.8m profit before tax, for the six months to 30 September. It had suffered a [...]
Over-50s considering returning to work due to concerns about retirement funds December 6, 2022 The overwhelming majority of over-50s are not financially set for retirement due to the pandemic and cost of living crisis. Just under two-fifths of those aged 50-54 are happy their retirement funds are sufficient, rising to 55 per cent for those 60-65. The worrying trend, highlighted in research from Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management, shows [...]
Two in five small theatres could close this Christmas following sales slump December 6, 2022 Two in five small theatres in the UK could face closure as energy costs soar and Christmas sales tank. According to a new study by GoDaddy and the Society of Independent Theatres, three quarters of independent theatres – those with fewer than 300 seats – say their ticket sales have still not returned to pre-Covid [...]
Brits had most volatile year for fuel costs as CMA probe ‘rocket and feather’ pricing December 6, 2022 Brits have suffered the most volatile year on record for fuel prices, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and cost of living crisis continued to pile pressure on drivers the pumps. New analysis published today show fuel prices rose by 50p a litre from January to July, which is the largest leap ever recorded. It [...]
Marston’s swings back to profit as pub chain anticipates Christmas without Covid limits December 6, 2022 Marston’s has welcomed being in the black, after trade at its pub estate recovered from the side effects of Covid-19 lockdowns this year. In results for the year to 1 October, the community pub operator posted a total profit before tax of £163.4 m, versus a loss of £171.1m the year prior. The operator of around [...]
Done well, devolution could leave our terrible politicians with nowhere to hide December 6, 2022 If fiscal decisions are made locally, taxpayers may find it easier to scrutinise, with local politicians finding fewer places to hide.
Searcys boss: London venues set for ‘real reality check’ in the new year with spending slowdown warnings December 5, 2022 London restaurants face a “real reality check” come January and February, as consumers will pull back from dining out after Christmas, the boss of champagne bar chain Searcys has warned. Diners will “want to batten down the hatches” next year after enjoying their first Christmas free of Covid measures in three years, with the cost [...]
Britain’s charity sector is being buffeted by the winds of the recession December 5, 2022 The charity sector in the UK is massive. Not just the sheer number of charities, the amount they contribute to the economy or the number of people they employ (165,000, £20bn and 950,000 respectively), but most importantly, their impact. Most of you reading this, whether you know it or not, will have had your lives [...]
UK recession to officially begin this winter, City economists predict December 5, 2022 The UK’s recession will officially begin this winter and is likely to last for most of next year, a closely watched survey out today suggests. S&P Global and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) final purchasing managers’ index (PMI) measuring private sector activity in November was unchanged at 48.2, the lowest number since [...]
Letters: Looming talent shortages December 5, 2022 [Re: Halfords focusing on offering shoppers more essentials as they slash discretionary spending, Nov 23] Unsurprisingly, the cost of living crisis is impacting shopping habits. In fact, Fourth’s data shows consumers will spend less on a variety of items from holidays to groceries next year. So we may expect more announcements from retailers, and whilst [...]