Ocado shares soar after partnership with South Korea’s Lotte Shopping November 1, 2022 Ocado shares surged by more than a third on Tuesday morning after the retailer inked a partnership deal with South Korea’s Lotte Shopping. The London-listed tech firm said it had agreed plans for the development of a national fulfilment network, pushing shares up as much as 36 per cent by midday. Lotte Group is one [...]
Made.com to call in administrators as furniture firm’s 700 staff left in lurch November 1, 2022 Made.com has announced the appointment of administrators after cash-strapped consumers have pulled back on big ticket spending. The London-listed furniture firm said on Tuesday that it’s board has resolved to file notice of an intention to appoint administrators at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). The company had been seeking out rescue cash but interested suitors were unable to [...]
Homeware retailers ‘draw short straw’ in economic crunch as Made.com nears collapse October 31, 2022 Homeware retailers are facing a turbulent 2023 as mounting operational costs and hesitant consumer sentiment piles the pressure on the sector. It comes as Made.com was still teetering on the brink of collapse on Monday after customers have pulled back from spending on pricier items like furniture. Last week, the ailing sofa seller said it [...]
Asos eyes cutting 100 jobs as part of turnaround plan for fashion retailer October 31, 2022 Asos is looking to slash 100 jobs as the fashion retailer tries to rebuild after hemograhing losses. The London-listed company confirmed it was launching a consultation on a number of roles across the firm, after it was first reported in RetailWeek. The retailer, which currently employs around 3,300 people, will begin mulling which roles to [...]
Royal Exchange owners Oxford Properties sell City gem to Ardent for around £50m October 28, 2022 The owners of the Royal Exchange have sold the City’s retail gem to an Atlanta-based real estate investment firm. The retail element of the neoclassical site – which is home to luxury brands including Tiffany & Co and Hermès – has been snagged by Ardent UK, a subsidiary of its US owner. While Ardent did [...]
Exclusive: Seven Dials Market boss says ‘Brexit means we are short-staffed for every shift, every day’ October 27, 2022 Brexit has “absolutely screwed” the food industry after it “ripped away” its labour source, according to the boss behind the West End’s popular Seven Dials Market. Businesses at the food and drink destination are facing staff shortages “for every single shift, every single day,” Simon Mitchell, who heads the street food market operator Kerb, exclusively [...]
Made scraps hunt for a buyer as sofa seller nears collapse October 27, 2022 Ailing Made.com has said it has cut short its hunt for a buyer, as the homeware firm teeters on the brink of collapse. In an update to the London Stock Exchange on Thursday morning, the furniture retailer said there was “no reasonable prospect” of an offer. Shoppers have been pulling back from spending on big [...]
Ben & Jerry’s owner Unilever warns of shoppers buying less as inflation bites budgets October 27, 2022 Dove maker Unilever has seen consumers buying less of products after price hikes, as the consumer goods titan has ushered in record price rises. Prices increased by 12.5 per cent in the period, the brand’s highest ever hike, as consumers battle cost increases in every corner of life. The London-listed consumer goods giant admitted price [...]
Ben Francis: Gymshark’s move to the West End ‘completely different ball game’ October 27, 2022 How does Gymshark’s 30-year-old founder feel about the fitness apparel firm moving offline and into the West End? “Buzzing,” Ben Francis tells CityA.M. Gymshark reeled in record profits during the pandemic, as stuck at home Brits took to Joe Wicks workouts and online shopping with abandon. With that now in the rear-view mirror, Francis is [...]
Two Just Stop Oil activists arrested after luxury car showrooms in Mayfair daubed with paint October 26, 2022 Two people have been arrested after high-end car dealerships in Mayfair including Bentley, Ferrari and Bugatti were daubed with paint by Just Stop Oil activists. Environmental campaigners smeared orange paint on windows of numerous luxury vehicle retailers in Berkley Square and Bruton Street. The incident took place at 8.30am, targeting dealerships including HR Owen Bugatti, Jack [...]