UK retail sales unexpectedly fall as economy slows November 14, 2019 The amount of goods sold in UK shops unexpectedly fell in October, official figures have shown, in the latest sign that the economy is slowing. The weak performance will be a concern to retailers as the sector heads towards Christmas, especially given that the period covered Halloween, a traditionally busy time for shops. Read more: [...]
Tube delays hit three lines in rush hour after Edgware Road incident November 14, 2019 Severe Tube delays have hit multiple lines today after a faulty train at Edgware Road caused knock-on problems across the Underground. The entire Circle Line was suffering bad delays due to the issue, as is the Hammersmith & City Line. Read more: Revealed: These are London’s most crowded Tube lines Transport for London (TfL) urged [...]
Royal Mail wins High Court injunction to prevent Christmas postal strikes November 13, 2019 Royal Mail has secured a High Court injunction to block potential Christmas postal strikes. The company argued that there were “irregularities” with the ballot which delivered an outcome overwhelmingly in support of industrial action. Read more: Royal Mail launches search for new UK director The postal service has claimed that officials interfered with the voting [...]
Coca-Cola HBC’s revenue fizzes up in third quarter despite bad weather November 13, 2019 Shares in Coca-Cola HBC have risen this morning after the Coca-Cola company bottler reported an increase in revenue for the third water despite poor weather dampening volume growth. HBC’s net sales rose five per cent during the three months to the end of September compared to the same period last year. Read more: Coca-Cola’s advertisement [...]
Lidl sales soar as big four supermarkets struggle November 12, 2019 Budget supermarket Lidl enjoyed soaring sales this autumn, as the big four grocers struggled to keep up with the German discount stores in the lead up to the crucial Christmas trading period. Lidl was the fastest growing bricks and mortar supermarket in the 12 weeks to 3 November with a sales increase of 8.8 per [...]
Retail group urges new government to reform industry November 12, 2019 A leading retail organisation has ramped up pressure on the next government to reform business rates and the apprenticeship levy to rescue the embattled UK high street. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the new government following the 12 December General Election should scrap “downwards transition”, which it said means retailers pay £1.3bn over five [...]
Easyjet prepares to take more Thomas Cook market share via package holiday business November 11, 2019 Easyjet is gearing up to reveal the details of its upcoming package holiday subsidiary, as the industry scrambles to fill the gap in the market left after the collapse of Thomas Cook. The low cost carrier, which reports its full-year financial results next week, will relaunch the package holiday business, Easyjet Holidays, before Christmas, but [...]
London Underground: Union threatens Christmas Tube strikes November 11, 2019 There may be “significant disruption” on the London Underground during the Christmas period as rail workers decide on whether to engage in strike action. One thousand Tube cleaners from the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union today began voting on whether to take industrial action in a bid for better pay and amenities. Read [...]
Experts split on impact of Farage’s decision to stand-down candidates November 11, 2019 Pollsters and Westminster strategists were split this afternoon over the impact of Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage’s decision not to stand candidates in 317 seats currently held by Conservatives. Whilst there had been calls for Farage to stand down candidates across the country, his party will continue to fight in seats held by the Lib [...]
More than 200,000 UK workers get Christmas pay rise in line with real living wage November 11, 2019 More than 200,000 employees from major UK companies are set for a pre-Christmas pay rise thanks to the “real living wage” campaign. Businesses signed up to the campaign will raise its London employees’ hourly wages by 20p to £10.75. Read more: Sajid Javid promises to increase nationa living wage to £10.50 Meanwhile, the hourly rate [...]