Hotel Chocolat in the red amid ‘challenging’ current trading landscape December 1, 2022 Chocolate maker Hotel Chocolat has posted a £9.4m loss but said “people are still treating themselves with affordable luxury” despite a cost of living crisis. Its full-year results came in contrast to the previous year’s, where the London-listed firm posted a £3.7m profit after tax. “It goes without saying that the current environment is challenging [...]
Winter of discontent: Platform staff join rail workers with more strikes in December November 30, 2022 Station platform workers have piled on more pressure to the British public before Christmas announcing a series of strike days in mid-December. Members of the TSSA union will join railway colleagues on the picket line as part of a long-standing dispute over salaries and jobs. Avanti West Coast workers will walk out on 13, 14, [...]
Rail strikes: Time for the government to bang some heads together November 30, 2022 Government has continued to claim rail strikes are a private discussion - but it's time for them to muscle in and find a deal
Mulberry feels the chill of recession as boss calls for VAT-free shopping to boost tourist sales November 30, 2022 High-end accessories retailer Mulberry is beginning to feel the effects of the cost of living crisis and recession in the UK, with sales and revenue slipping over the past six months. Sales at its London stores on Bond St and Regent St have been hit hard by affluent tourists from the US and the Arab [...]
London not ‘hottest’ cannabis market in Europe but hope lies in CBD November 29, 2022 The UK government should capitalise on its efforts in medical cannabis research if it wants to keep up with the budding market growing across Europe. The country currently has the second-largest cannabis market in Europe, behind only France, and worth around $150m (£125m), according to a white paper by investment bank Bryan Garnier today. The estimated value is far [...]
FTSE 100 lifted by investors cheering HSBC Canada arm sale November 29, 2022 London’s FTSE 100 was boosted today by investors pouring into HSBC after it confirmed it has ditched its Canadian business for £8.4bn. The capital’s premier index jumped 0.51 per cent to 7,512 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, fell 0.55 per cent [...]
Shaftesbury back in the black as West End landlord sees ‘rapid rebound’ in shopping destination November 29, 2022 West End landlord Shaftesbury has swung back to profit as the capital’s retail heartland bounced back from Covid-19 disruption this year. The landlord, which is set to merge with neighbouring property giant Capital and Counties next year, shared a £119.1m profit after tax in full-year results. This was a strong come-back for the Carnaby, Seven [...]
Boohoo amps up stake in troubled Revolution Beauty to 26 per cent November 28, 2022 Fast fashion retailer Boohoo has upped its stake in Revolution Beauty, as the troubled cosmetics firm announced a new chief. The online retailer said it had upped its strategic investment in the lipstick seller to 26.47 per cent of its issued share capital. Boohoo, which sells Revolution cosmetics on a number of its websites and [...]
Police prepare for new wave of Just Stop Oil disruption in run up to Christmas November 28, 2022 The Met Police are preparing for a month of disruption from Just Stop Oil in the run up to Christmas. The force said the environmental campaign group will launching a new wave of protests from 28 November until 14 December. This comes after more than 750 activists were arrested in October and November, with over [...]
Superdry confirms £70m loan talks with Bantry Bay ahead of repaying debts November 28, 2022 Fashion retailer Superdry has confirmed weekend reports that it is requesting £70m from London hedge fund Bantry Bay. Superdry is set to pay its debts early next year and has sought a new asset-backed lending facility before its January deadline. “Superdry plc acknowledges recent press speculation about its previously announced refinancing process and confirms that [...]