Wilko may look like Woolies 2.0, but a new buyer should save it from collapse August 11, 2023 Wilco’s collapse into administration put tens of thousands of jobs at risk, but the high street staple should have a future if a buyer sees beyond the hysteria, writes George MacDonald.
Argos ‘well positioned’ to face Amazon challenge amid transformation, says boss July 31, 2023 Argos is “well positioned” to face up to the challenge of Amazon and other online retail giants, according to bosses at parent firm Sainsbury’s. Paula Nickolds, the boss of the grocery giant’s general merchandise business including Argos, said the retail brand has maintained its “strong emotional bond with customers” despite changes to its operations amid shifting consumer habits. It comes as the high street stalwart marks 50 years since it was founded by Richard Thompson [...]
Sainsbury’s results: Will efforts to keep prices low pay off? July 3, 2023 Investors will turn their focus to Sainsbury’s first quarter trading update on Tuesday to see how shoppers are reacting to the impact of food inflation amid the cost of living crisis. The supermarket is expected to post a jump in revenues driven by higher grocery sales over the quarter to June. Analysts at Shore and [...]
WH Smith has no plans to grow ‘healthy’ high street presence as it eyes airports instead June 30, 2023 WH Smith boss said the retailer has no plans to open any additional high street stores but is focusing on growing its transport hub and international presence. “We’ve got a very healthy High Street business in the UK”, Carl Cowling told the BBC, “but we’ve got no ambitions to grow that”. “When you look at [...]
WH Smith, M&S and Argos among hundreds fined for failing to pay minimum wage June 21, 2023 Hundreds of businesses including high-street heavyweights WH Smith, M&S and Argos have been named and shamed after being fined for failing to pay workers the minimum wage. Firms from sole traders to household names were ordered to repay 63,000 staff lost wages totalling close to £5m, after breaching National Minimum Wage (NMW) law. WH Smith [...]
Pyrex maker files for US bankruptcy after inflation and high rates batter sales June 14, 2023 The maker of Pyrex and Instant Pot has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as dwindling sales and high inflation have battered the business. Instant Brands, which is US owned, is said to have much as $1bn (£790m) in liabilities. Instant Brand, which trades in John Lewis and Argos for upwards of £180, was impacted by [...]
Searches for pools up 438 per cent as millions of burgers and sausages to be sold for first BBQ weekend June 9, 2023 The sale of barbecue food, ice-cream and inflatable pools have skyrocketed, as Brits prepare for the first BBQ weekend of the summer. Supermarkets Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s have all reported huge spikes in the sale of meat, as millions will enjoy the hot weather and have the first barbecue of the summer. This comes after [...]
Will nobody rid me of these troublesome ordering screens? May 31, 2023 It used to be so simple. But now ordering lunch in the City has become an exercise in technological frustration and irrational anger.
Government permits ‘long lorries’ on British roads – but are they safe? May 10, 2023 The Department for Transport (DfT) has today announced legislation permitting ‘long lorries’ to be rolled out on UK roads, estimating a £1.4bn boost to the economy as a result. The new laws will allow longer semi-trailers (LSTs) of up to 18.55 metres on British roads, over two metres more than the standard size, from 31 [...]
Splashing the cash on cardboard cut outs of King Charles, mugs and quiche: The Coronation top sellers May 5, 2023 Celebrations for King Charles III’s Coronation appear to have already started with Brits stocking up on nostalgic and whimsical goods to prepare them for the extra Bank holiday weekend. Discount supermarket Lidl said sales of quiche and champagne have increased 33 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, as shoppers look to pay homage to [...]