Inside Amazon’s Black Friday operations hub: How the e-commerce giant prepares for its busiest day of the year November 29, 2019 Where could be a better place to witness the behind-the-scenes impact of Black Friday than at the heart of Amazon’s UK warehouse operations? Some of the credit – or perhaps, blame – for the annual shopping event’s popularity in Britain surely lies with the US e-commerce giant. The fulfilment centre – which is the size [...]
Npower announces major restructuring which could cost 4,500 jobs November 29, 2019 Struggling energy firm Npower today announced a restructuring of its UK business that could cost thousands of jobs. Unions sources said the shake-up could lead to 4,500 UK job losses and the closure of a number of call centres, the Mirror reported. Yesterday, Npower reported that it had lost 261,000 customers in the third quarter, [...]
Fancy a Christmas tipple? Here are London’s best-dressed festive bars and hotels November 29, 2019 Since writing this column my bah humbug feeling about the run-up to Christmas has been transformed. Now that I am blissfully untouched by Christmas jingles bombarding me from shops and TV (thanks, internet), Christmas cheer is all around me as London slowly lights up. We are spoilt for choice in terms of where to gather, [...]
None of the parties have a credible plan to fix the social care crisis November 29, 2019 Every day, 1.4m elderly people are left unwashed, unsupported, and without the care they need — because our social care system is broken. “Crisis” is an overused term, but in this instance, it’s no exaggeration. And people are increasingly aware of this. Recent polling commissioned by Deloitte and Reform revealed that social care is the [...]
Asian expansion boosts Fortnum & Mason sales growth November 29, 2019 London luxury food retailer Fortnum & Mason has reported double-digit sales growth in its full-year results, boosted by the company’s global expansion. Sales across the business increased 12 per cent to £138m, while profits soared 26 per cent, driven by growth in Hong Kong and Japan where sales grew 16 and 28 per cent respectively. [...]
Court rejects appeal against Christmas Royal Mail strike ban November 28, 2019 The Court of Appeal today rejected a union appeal against an injunction preventing Royal Mail staff striking in the run up to Christmas. Royal Mail had secured an injunction earlier this month, ruling that the Communication Workers Union’s (CWU) postal ballot for strike action had been unlawful and ruling out any industrial action before a [...]
Christmas travel chaos looms as South Western rail staff prepare to strike from Monday November 28, 2019 Londoners are set to endure a month of chaos on one of the capital’s busiest railways, after last ditch strike talks between union bosses and the rail operator broke down again today. The 27 day strike, which begins on Monday, is on course to be London’s worst ever, and will hit all South Western rail [...]
Top City investors urge UK firms to pay living wage November 28, 2019 Some of the City’s biggest investors have written to the chief executives of companies including Just Eat, British Airways, and Royal Mail urging them to pay the so-called real living wage. The letter, published today, outlines a growing business case for the living wage, arguing that it can boost productivity, reduce staff turnover and improve [...]
Southeastern rail franchise on course for another extension as Go Ahead in talks with government November 28, 2019 Go Ahead, the company which operates the Southeastern rail franchise, is in talks with the government over extending its contract to run the line beyond the current 1 April end date. The competition for the franchise was unexpectedly scrapped in August and a five-month extension awarded to Govia, the joint venture between Go-Ahead and Keolis, [...]
Philip Day’s Peacocks nears deal to buy Bonmarche out of administration November 28, 2019 Womenswear retailer Bonmarche is close to being bought out of administration by rival firm Peacocks, in a deal that could see 30 stores close before Christmas. Peacocks, which is owned by billionaire businessman Philip Day, has been named the preferred bidder for the embattled retailer, administrator FRP Advisory said this morning. However, negotiations are ongoing [...]