Qatar 2022: How can brands navigate the most political World Cup ever? September 20, 2022 While the location of this year’s Qatar 2022 World Cup makes it the most controversial yet, it is still a huge global moment that fans across the world will want to engage with, and brands be a part of. This is the first time a men’s football World Cup has been held in what is [...]
Fuller’s sales above pre-covid levels amid concern over ‘unsustainable rise’ in energy costs September 20, 2022 Pub chain Fuller’s brought its sales back above pre-pandemic levels but has warned the energy crisis could give it bills of £18m. The company announced its sales in the first half of the financial year were three per cent up on the pandemic, and 50 per cent up on the same period last year. However, [...]
Amazon strike ballot ‘making history’ says UK union boss September 15, 2022 AMAZON workers at a Coventry warehouse became the first in the UK to take part in a formal strike ballot against the ecommerce titan. Hundreds of workers began voting this morning on whether to walk out over Amazon’s 35 pence per hour pay offer, with union GMB lobbying for a £2 per hour increase as [...]
John Lewis posts £92m loss after ‘unprecedented cost inflation’ September 15, 2022 John Lewis Partnership has posted a £92m loss before tax, blaming shoppers spending less due to inflationary pressures in the first half of the year. This was versus a £69m profit compared to the same period last year, although the partnership said on Thursday it was “not unusual for us” to make a loss in [...]
Desperate small businesses beg government for immediate help as bills spiral out of control September 14, 2022 A range of small businesses said this morning that their energy bills have more than doubled in the past three months alone. Firms are therefore eagerly looking to next week’s expected mini budget for help with soaring bills despite the slight easing in inflation. Lesley So, founder of Derby-based eco-friendly drinks manufacturer So Good Kombucha, [...]
Ocado shoppers sent to cut back on spending at online grocer September 13, 2022 Ocado has warned its grocery shoppers will cut back on spending as they turn to cheaper supermarkets and add less to their baskets. In a trading update, the London-listed firm noted “accelerating trading down and smaller baskets, particularly over the last few weeks” and said it now expected to see “a small sales decline” in [...]
Wilko shakes up rent payments as it eyes cashflow ahead of Christmas September 11, 2022 High street giant Wilko is shaking up its rent payments schedule in a bid to conserve cash in the run up to Christmas. The garden and home retailer told landlords that it would now unilaterally pay its quarterly rent bill in monthly instalments to manage the firm’s cashflow: heralding a difficult time moving forward for [...]
Liz Truss says Queen was ‘the spirit of Britain’ as tributes pour in September 8, 2022 Queen Elizabeth II was the “very spirit of Britain” and the “rock on which modern Britain was built”, Liz Truss has said in a tribute to Her Majesty. The Prime Minister said outside Number 10 that “our country has grown and flourished under her reign” and that “Britain is the great country it is today [...]
Solicitors watchdog to regulate after-work drinks and private parties September 4, 2022 The solicitors’ watchdog has said it will take action to investigate and prosecute cases of sexual misconduct that happen away from the office – even if those incidents occur at a pub or in a person’s home. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) said it will intervene in cases of sexual misconduct that take place in [...]
Ovo Energy proposes ‘progressive’ support package to ease record bills September 1, 2022 The boss of Ovo Energy has called for a "progressive" support package to ease household energy bills, similar in design to the country's income tax system.