Pubs face ‘double whammy’ of tax hikes as hundreds call last orders for good September 23, 2024 Around 50 pubs per month ‘vanished’ from England and Wales in the first half of the year as hospitality struggled with costs and tax rates. The overall number of pubs in England and Wales, including those vacant and being offered to let, fell to 39,096 at the end of the first half of 2024, down [...]
Misery index gives cause for hope September 23, 2024 There is an unmistakable inverse correlation between emiserating factors like unemployment, wages and house prices and consumer confidence, but new analysis suggests things may be looking up, says James Sproule The cost-of-living crisis may be difficult to define or quantify, but it is easy enough to feel – and misery has been felt not just [...]
US Fed’s preferred inflation metric set to validate jumbo rate cut September 22, 2024 Crucial US inflation data is poised to back up the Federal Reserve's jumbo interest rate cut as investors question where other central banks will follow in its footsteps.
Retail sales smash expectations despite a drop in consumer confidence September 20, 2024 Retail sales in the UK blew past expectations in August, climbing to their highest level since July 2022, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Sales were up one per cent compared to the previous month, beating analysts’ predictions of a 0.4 per cent rise. The increase builds on July’s return to growth, which [...]
Quorn: Meat-free food brand loses more than £60m as supermarket sales slashed September 19, 2024 The company behind meat-free food brand Quorn lost more than £60m during its latest financial year as its sales in UK and US supermarkets continued to decline. The North Yorkshire-headquartered Marlow Foods has posted a pre-tax loss of £63.4m for 2023, having also made a loss of £15.4m in 2022. The last time the Quorn [...]
Ocado shares jump after firm hikes sales outlook on M&S joint venture September 19, 2024 Ocado shares jumped more than 10 per cent in early deals this morning after the company hiked its sales guidance. The retail arm of the London-listed group, Ocado Retail, a 50:50 joint venture between Ocado Group and Marks & Spencer Group, reported revenue growth of 15 per cent in the 13 weeks to 1 September [...]
Why the Bank of England will hold interest rates tomorrow September 18, 2024 The firm consensus is for the Bank of England to hold rates tomorrow, but this will not prevent a further cut in November.
Lucozade, Ribena and Orangina owner continues remarkable profit rise September 18, 2024 Profit at the UK company behind Lucozade, Ribena and Orangina has increased for the seventh consecutive year while its sales continued its post-pandemic rise. Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I has reported a pre-tax profit of £109.1m for 2023, up from the £100.7m it posted for 2022, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. The last [...]
Is this Peckham pub serving Britain’s best burger? September 18, 2024 My local pub serves Britain’s best burger – I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I support The Montpelier on Choumert Road in all its endeavours, just as it has supported me through celebrations, hangovers, breast-feeding emergencies and excruciating family lunches. But I’m not sure I want it to become famous for [...]
Inflation stays at 2.2 per cent ahead of Bank of England’s interest rate decision September 18, 2024 The figures come a day before the Bank of England will announce its latest decision on interest rates.