La Clique Leicester Square review: Camp cabaret is essential for Christmas November 16, 2022 Leicester Square is probably number one on the list of places Londoners avoid at all costs, but during Christmas there’s a surprisingly decent market there that’s atmospheric enough to justify breaking our avoidance pacts. The centrepiece of it is the Spiegeltent, an in-the-round theatre space hosting La Clique, which has become the Christmas cabaret tipple [...]
Beaverbrooks: We don’t expect government to solve all of firms’ problems November 16, 2022 A wedding “catch-up” boom post-pandemic has driven momentum for jeweller Beaverbrooks, its top boss told CityA.M. After the Covid-19 lockdowns saw many couples put plans to get hitched on hold, the easing of restrictions has seen a boom in plans for nuptials, driving ring sales, Anna Blackburn said. The pandemic spurred some couples to get [...]
Demand for corporate Christmas parties through the roof as offices ‘make up’ for Covid November 16, 2022 Work Christmas do’s are back with a bang this year, as City bar and pub chains report strong bookings. Publicans are excited about the industry’s first full Christmas trading season in three years, void of Covid-9 restrictions. Although consumers are caught in the teeth of what’s set to be a protracted recession, Young’s boss, Simon [...]
Exclusive: Shopify boss banks on big Black Friday as ‘last cheat meal’ before 2023 hiatus November 16, 2022 Shopify’s European chief says that despite the cost of living crisis, Brits are still planning to spend big this Black Friday, calling it the “last cheat meal before you start a really big diet”. In new data released today, the commerce firm revealed that although inflation was hitting hard, where 78 per cent of people [...]
Many Brits to turn off Christmas lights in bid to save energy November 14, 2022 Christmas is set to be a bit less sparkly this year with a massive upsurge in Brits not putting up Christmas lights to save energy. The soaring cost of electricity means 16 per cent of UK households will avoid plugging in fairy lights on their tree and across their house, which light up many streets [...]
Primark website crashes on first day of click and collect trial November 14, 2022 Primark’s first foray into online shopping hit a hurdle on Monday morning as the high street name’s website crashed. The budget apparel seller has launched a trial in 25 stores in north-west England and north Wales, for children’s clothes to begin with. “We’re working hard to address this to ensure that everyone can access and [...]
Workers at Jaffa Cake bars factory threaten ‘permanent strike’ over pay November 14, 2022 MORE than 750 workers at the Jaffa Cake bars factory have threatened to stage a permanent walkout over pay until bosses agree to get back to the negotiation table. Staff at the Aintree plant – who also make Jacobs Cream Crackers and Twiglets – have been taking limited industrial action since September over cost of [...]
Klarna amps up super-app aims with price comparison tool November 14, 2022 Klarna is looking to become an “assistant for each and every step of your shopping journey”, one of the fintech firm’s top bosses told CityA.M. today, as it ramps up efforts to become a ‘superapp’ with a new price comparison tool. The Swedish buy-now-pay-later firm has launched the search and compare tool in its Klarna [...]
Nightcap boss: ‘No place for mediocrity’ in economic tumult as cocktail brand’s sales surge November 13, 2022 Cocktail bar operator Nightcap is slowing down its expansion programme while its CEO told CityA.M. the sector faces “uncharted territory” this winter. While the London-listed business would not halt openings entirely, it would “be more cautious” with new sites, CEO Sarah Willingham said. In its annual report last week, the owner of The Adventure Bar [...]
Retailers balance ‘sadvertising’ and festive joy in this year’s Christmas adverts November 13, 2022 Retailers have faced pressure this year to put out adverts that not only have a feel good factor, but also do good. Against the backdrop of a gloomy winter, where many families will be forced to cut back on Christmas celebrations and gifts in order to keep the fridge stocked and heating on, getting the [...]