In a spin: Whirlpool recalls 500,000 washing machines over fire danger December 17, 2019 Half a million Whirlpool washing machines must be recalled from British homes over a fire risk, the company admitted today. A door locking system fault with Whirlpool’s Hotpoint and Indesit branded machines creates a fire risk as a result of overheating, the firm said. Read more: MPs blast Whirlpool over its safety attitude The affected [...]
Book closes on bargain retailer amid fierce competition December 17, 2019 The Book People, one of the UK’s largest booksellers, has been forced into administration in the run up to Christmas. PwC has been appointed to manage the insolvency process, Sky News reported. Read more: Amazon’s Deliveroo investment raises competition concerns, watchdog finds The accountancy firm was handling an auction for the bookseller, as its private [...]
Oil prices near three month highs on trade deal optimism December 17, 2019 Oil prices neared their highest levels for three months today as the apparent stabilisation in the world economy continued. The combination of Opec+ cuts, a trade deal between the US and China, and a slowdown in US shale production sent Brent crude over $65 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hit $60.22. Read more: Opec [...]
Wetherspoons resolves pigs in blankets shortage in time for Christmas December 17, 2019 JD Wetherspoon customers can breathe a sigh of relief as pigs in blankets are back on the menu in the run up to Christmas following a shortage earlier this week. Pigs in blankets had been served without their blankets in some pubs due to supply chain problems earlier this week. Read more: Which wines to [...]
Why high street discounts are a dangerous drug December 17, 2019 Retailers love to brag about breaking records, but one they won’t be cheering this Christmas is the prediction that price cuts could potentially top 50 per cent for the first time ever. Amid a fierce fight to woo last-minute shoppers into their stores, high street chains are once again turning to a festive sales bonanza [...]
Dear Santa… please no more office politics? December 17, 2019 Christmas can be difficult for some, personally as well as professionally, but there is a lot that an organisation can do to ease pressure and show staff that it values their hard work. So how can you sweep away those cobwebs, “deck the halls”, and help mitigate the potential for office politics this festive season? [...]
Boris Johnson to amend Brexit bill to rip out no-deal concessions December 17, 2019 Boris Johnson will bring his Brexit bill before a new intake of MPs this week without the concessions he made before the election, City A.M. understands. The Withdrawal Agreement Bill – the key legislation that will pave the way for the UK to leave the European Union on 31 January – is expected to come [...]
EFL Cup and Club World Cup: How Liverpool are planning to fight on two fronts this week December 16, 2019 Liverpool will play Aston Villa tomorrow night in the EFL Cup quarter-final less than 24 hours before they are due to play in the Club World Cup semi-final half-way across the world in Qatar. It means Jurgen Klopp’s side will have played three games in the space of five days, following Saturday’s 2-0 win over [...]
FTSE 100 surges after UK election result and trade deal ease uncertainty December 16, 2019 The FTSE 100 has soared after the Conservatives’ election victory and a phase one US-China trade deal helped ease long term uncertainties that have consistently weighed on markets. UK stocks rallied again today after making substantial gains on Friday, with the benchmark FTSE 100 rising as much as 2.57 per cent by mid-afternoon to 7,542.46 [...]
Sports Direct shares soar on profit jump December 16, 2019 Sports Direct’s shares soared this morning as the retailer posted a jump in profit and revealed that it was beginning to see the “green shoots of recovery” at House of Fraser. The figures The company’s share price surged more than 30 per cent to 470p after the high street store said reported profit before tax [...]