WH Smith takes pandemic beating as spending dips at its travel stores in airports and train stations January 19, 2022 WHSmith has revealed the Omicron variant led to a fall in spending at its travel stores in airports and train stations during the final four months of 2021. The retailer added that high-street sales managed to improve during the same period – including in December as infection rates rose – however, overall, the company’s sales [...]
Climate change personal responsibility is a myth to excuse the world’s emitters January 19, 2022 Consumers do have power in their pockets when it comes to tackling climate change. The meteoric rise of ESG in the financial services industry, for instance, has been driven by consumer demand. Equally, in the retail sector the term “sustainable” has become a benchmark for any quality clothing brand as a result of customers wanting [...]
Vertical Future revels in £21m funding round as it plots dominance of controlled farming sector January 18, 2022 Vertical Future have secured £21m in Europe’s largest ever Series A raise in the vertical farming industry.
City of London launches grant scheme for Omicron-hit Square Mile businesses January 18, 2022 Retailers and hospitality businesses that have been hit by a collapse in footfall due to work from home guidance will be able to apply for a grant from the City of London Corporation, it was confirmed last night. The Corporation, the Square Mile’s governing body, has put in the majority of the money behind the [...]
ProCook outperforms UK kitchenware market following stock market debut January 18, 2022 Kitchenware brand ProCook has posted 34.6 per cent revenue growth for the third quarter, in results on Tuesday morning. The firm reported revenue growth of 104.1 per cent on a two year like-for-like basis. The retailer made its debut on the London Stock Exchange following an initial public offering at 145p per share, which valued [...]
The future of tax in the UK, an expert view January 18, 2022 This article first appeared in ICAS’ CA magazine. Young businesses have the potential to drive post-pandemic recovery – but is the UK’s ageing tax system a help or a hindrance to entrepreneurs? Fraser Allen asks four experts to share their thoughts Earlier this year, the Institute for Fiscal Studies published a blunt assessment of the way [...]
Google feels lucky in London: Tech giant bets big on London office space in major boost for capital’s global status January 14, 2022 Google is set to pump almost three quarters of a billion into London in a major vote of confidence in the capital’s post-Brexit future. The tech giant has snapped up the entirety of the Central Saint Giles development in which it currently leases office space, marking a major step change in the firm’s commitment to [...]
London markets dip as retailers give up this week’s gains January 13, 2022 London markets eked marginal gains yesterday despite retailers giving up some gains registered throughout the week. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index closed 0.16 per cent higher at 7,563.85 points, while the domestically-focused FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned to the health of the UK economy, fell 0.38 per cent to 22,958.48 points. Britain’s [...]
Asos shares jump after posting ex-Paddy Power boss to board January 13, 2022 Asos has posted the former boss of Paddy Power to its board today, in a move which helped pushed the retailer’s share price up over 10 per cent. The online retailer also announced this morning that it would be shifting to London’s main market, after two decades on the junior AIM index. Patrick Kennedy, who [...]
No Britcoin crypto: House of Lords says no to digital pound but Bank of England undeterred despite run on cash warning January 13, 2022 A bank run during economic downturns is a realistic scenario if an official British digital currency were to be created, a committee of peers has warned. The Lords Economic Affairs Committee said that the introduction of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) could pose “significant risks” in the UK. Bank of England officials are currently [...]