FTSE100 dips amid inflation surge December 15, 2021 The London FTSE100 index plunged this morning after data showed that inflation rates surged to 5.1 per cent in November – its highest level in a decade. Despite the surge, investors are no longer expecting the Bank of England to raise rates. The index saw retailers such as Next and Ocado fall 2.74 and 1.79 [...]
UK house prices go in reverse as market enters ‘new normal’ December 15, 2021 House prices have entered a ‘new normal’ after dropping 1.1 per cent between the end of the stamp duty holiday in September and October of this year. However, prices are 10.2 per cent higher year on year, marking the third month where annual growth has hit double figures. Year-over-year growth dropped from 12.3 per cent [...]
Firms could be forced to get rid of staff without clarity on further financial support December 14, 2021 Retailers and hospitality bosses have reiterated calls for fresh financial support measures as trade is hit by Omicron restrictions ahead of Christmas. Businesses said consumer confidence has been hit by the latest headlines, with shops reporting reduced footfall and pubs seeing cancellations of bookings. Londoners are bunkering down in a bid to ensure they can [...]
“Very few” PCR tests left at London testing sites December 14, 2021 There are currently “very few available” PCR tests at testing sites in London, according to the government’s official website. Earlier today the government’s official booking website briefly showed there were no PCR tests available at any testing sites in England, according to reports. A screenshot of the official site, published by the BBC, showed a [...]
JPMorgan’s UK consumer bank on hiring spree to bolster expansion efforts December 14, 2021 JPMorgan’s British retail arm, Chase, has plans to take on hundreds of new recruits as it looks to expand the range of services offered to clients. Since launching in September Chase has hired over 200 staff bringing staff numbers to 800. The fledgling bank now wants to grow its team to more than 1,000 employees [...]
Ocado anticipates ‘best-ever Christmas’ as it eyes new Zoom site openings December 14, 2021 Ocado has forecast its “best-ever Christmas ahead” and said it anticipated mid-teens sales growth for 2022. In a trading update for the 13 weeks to 28 November, the grocer said there was “strong momentum in under-lying demand”. It posted retail revenue of £547.8m for the quarter. This was compared to £570.1m in the same period [...]
London’s shopping destinations seeing ‘first sign’ of hit from plan B measures December 13, 2021 Retail destinations have started to see the impact of the government’s latest Covid messaging, after a drop in central London footfall last week. Footfall fell three per cent in central London shopping destinations and 5.3 per cent in the capital’s office hubs last week. Last week, the Prime Minister outlined fresh measures to tackle the [...]
Travel data: Londoners shrug off work from home order with bus and tube usage falling less than expected December 13, 2021 The number of Londoners still travelling into work appears to have fallen less than expected according to new Transport for London data. Today represents the first day that the Government’s re-instituted work from home order comes into force. Bus usage before 10am this morning fell just six per cent week on week, whilst tube usage [...]
West End ‘extremely concerned about long-term survival’ as new guidance comes into force December 13, 2021 Central London retailers are hopeful eager Christmas shoppers will offset the absence of office workers in the capital this month while warning businesses are running out of cash. New West End Company, which represents 600 brands, restaurants and businesses in the West End, said footfall for the week of 6 December was up three per [...]
Fund manager Jupiter gets ready to fend off bids worth £1.3bn December 11, 2021 Jupiter fund manager is enlisting advisory help in preparation of takeover bids, as dealmaking activity across the industry reaches fever pitch, according to Sky News, which first reported the news. The asset manager has hired advisory firm Robey Warshaw to come up with a plan to fend off prospective bidders eyeing up the FTSE-250 company, [...]