Explainer-in-brief: Guess who’s back, back again – it’s the Online Safety Bill November 4, 2022 The online safety bill is back in Parliament this month. Rishi Sunak has vowed to make substantial progress with it before Christmas. The nub of his plan is to scrap the “legal but harmful clause” on the basis that it might impinge on free speech. It was also the more contentious element of the laws. [...]
Bleak Friday? Retailers hit by spending slowdown as shoppers shun high street November 4, 2022 High street bosses are nervously awaiting Black Friday as retail sales volumes dropped dramatically last month. Sales volumes have dropped significantly, although this has been masked by historically high levels of inflation, data from accountancy firm BDO revealed today. In-store like-for-like sales saw the lowest growth since lockdown in February 2021, with growth of just [...]
Time for celebrations? Mars trials Bounty ban for Christmas November 3, 2022 With Christmas rapidly approaching, Mars Wrigley has removed the controversial coconut Bounty from celebrations boxes. The popular assortment of chocolates will be without the blue-wrappered treat after research showed 40 per cent of Brits want it barred permanently. No Bounty Celebrations will be available at 40 Tesco Christmas Market locations s from 8 November until [...]
Best firework displays in London this weekend November 3, 2022 Remember, remember: bring a jacket, an umbrella and crucially, some gins in tins. It’s the fifth of November this weekend, and that means it’s time to get acquainted with the best firework displays in London. Otherwise known as Bonfire Night, and fireworks will be bruising the sky with their multicoured flashes and bangs. It’s an [...]
Peloton keeps tumbling as it warns for Christmas slump November 3, 2022 Peloton has forecast second-quarter revenue below Wall Street estimates as the company continues its two year tumble from grace as the leading stay-at-home stock. The exercise bike maker said it expects current-quarter revenue between $700m and $725m, down from analysts’ estimates of $874m, according to Refinitiv data. In a shareholder letter this morning, the company [...]
West End Christmas intake to be squeezed by pandemic and cost of living at £1.55bn November 3, 2022 West End Christmas intake is set to be a quarter up from last year but still almost 30 per cent down on pre-Covid levels. Around £1.55bn is set to be splashed out in the heart of London’s shopping district, as the capital bounces back from the pandemic in a restriction-free Christmas. The cost of living [...]
Working from home sees London karaoke bars enjoy rise in Sunday Fundays November 3, 2022 Londoners are staving off the Sunday Blues with karaoke nights – taking advantage of an extra lie-in on work-from-home Monday mornings. Charlie Elek, the managing director of Lucky Voice, a capital-focussed karaoke chain, told CityA.M. that a rise in hybrid working had “worked in our favour”. The number of punters through the door at his [...]
Sainsbury’s profits dip as supermarket giant battles to keep prices low November 3, 2022 Sainsbury’s has posted subdued half-year profits, after taking a hit to keep prices competitive for customers and boost pay for staff. The supermarket giant, which also owns Argos, said underlying pre-tax profit dipped eight per cent to £340m over the half-year to 17 September , compared with the same period last year. It had previously [...]
Royal Mail Black Friday strikes could spell mayhem for the whole delivery ecosystem November 3, 2022 ROYAL Mail strikes could cause mayhem for Christmas shopping, with 115,000 posties taking to the picket line at the end of this month. In an announcement late on Tuesday, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said that it was moving ahead with four further days of strike action, including Black Friday, the largest online shopping day [...]
Firebird Soho has some of the best service in the capital – and great wine too November 2, 2022 Unassumingly nestled on a bustling Soho street, Firebird greets you as a cool oasis of relaxed good taste. Almost all of its dishes, as the name implies, have been licked by flame. The true charm of this place lies in the warmth and attentiveness of the staff, who carry their impeccable knowledge with a casual [...]