Investors eye UK supermarkets’ Christmas performance in busy week on London markets January 9, 2022 Investors will be eyeing how the UK’s biggest supermarkets fared over the Christmas trading period in a busy week of corporate announcements on London markets. Traders will be looking for clues in the string of supermarket updates on whether the imposition of plan B measures and soaring Covid-19 cases prompted consumers to divert money that [...]
Pundits who ‘know’ crypto are donkeys and asses January 7, 2022 Crypto journalism is improving, but there are still some bad mediums out there, argues Monty Munford.
Government calls in army to support NHS in hospitals across London as Omicron surges January 7, 2022 As staff shortages are growing quickly due to Covid-19, the Ministry of Defence said this morning it has been asked to deploy troops in London to support the NHS in hospitals across the capital. Around 200 armed forces personnel are being made available to hospitals across the capital, which has been the epicentre of the [...]
Retailers’ hopes for Christmas boost dashed as Omicron fears discouraged shoppers January 7, 2022 Hopes for a Christmas that would see high streets near pre-pandemic levels of trade were dashed last month as Covid fears discouraged shoppers. While England enjoyed a festive period free of restrictions on social gatherings once more, high streets marked a footfall decline of 23.1 per cent last month, compared to 2019. This was 3.5 [...]
Plan B blows UK economic recovery off course January 6, 2022 The imposition of Plan B in a bid to flush out a wave of Omicron cases whacked the British economy last month, reveals a closely watched survey released today. Brits were encouraged to work from home and limit socialising in December, igniting a mass exodus from city centres and high streets, dealing a heavy blow [...]
Which direction will the UK’s economic weather vane blow in 2022? January 6, 2022 It’s fair to say the last two years have been a turbulent one for the UK economy. The pandemic has upended working practices, supply chains and the monetary policy playbook. With the emergence of the Omicron variant leaving the spectre of coronavirus hanging over the country, it’s fair to say the British economy is not [...]
Ten Entertainment bowls a strike as sales are up 32 per cent despite Covid uncertainty January 6, 2022 Ten Entertainment, the leading UK operator of 46 bowling and family entertainment centres, shows a strong bounce back, as it reports a 32.4 per cent sales growth since May 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels.
B&M revenue up on pre-Covid levels as retailer plots more UK stores January 6, 2022 Discount variety goods retailer B&M has posted boosted revenue compared to pre-Covid levels and hiked its earning expectations. The firm said revenue was up 14 per cent compared to pre-pandemic third quarter comparatives, for the 13 weeks from 26 September 2021 to 25 December 2021. In a trading update for the third quarter posted on [...]
New CEO for Greggs as sales slow at its 2,181 stores with inflation and supply chain issues hitting the sector hard January 6, 2022 Greggs has revealed sales continue to rise at its 2,181 stores although bosses said more recent Covid restrictions led to sales growth easing in December. The company also said rising inflation and supply chain issues facing the sector continue to hit but added it enjoyed strong sales of Christmas products, including 6.7m mince pies. Separately, [...]
Next lifts profit forecast to £822m as shareholders await New Year payday January 6, 2022 Next has told shareholders to expect a special dividend at the end of the month, after lifting its profit guidance for the full year. The high street retailer has raised in profit before tax guidance by £22m, to £822m – up nearly 10 per cent in comparison with pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, investors eye a £205m [...]