Sainsbury’s launches UK’s first till-free grocery store April 29, 2019 Sainsbury’s is launching the UK's first till-free store at its Holborn Circus branch to allow customers to pay through their phones. Customers can use the Smartshop app to scan groceries as they go round the store, pay in the app and scan a code before leaving to confirm payment. Read more: DEBATE: Will the UK [...]
Financial investment fraud cases jumped 74 per cent in 2018 April 29, 2019 Reported fraud cases related to financial investments rose 74 per cent to 6,890 last year, up from 3,950 in 2017. The most commonly reported cases were related to share and bond sales which saw an increase to 860 last year, up from 200 in 2017, and pyramid or Ponzi schemes, which saw an increase to [...]
Debenhams to close 22 stores in 2020 as lenders warn of 1,200 job losses April 26, 2019 Debenhams revealed its store closure plan this morning, with up to 22 stores expected to be shuttered in 2020. Around 1,200 jobs are at risk due to the two Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs), one for property and one for retail, the company said today. Read more: Debenhams owners to outline plans to shut 20 stores The [...]
Which stock markets look ‘cheap’ after strong performances in the first quarter of 2019? April 26, 2019 Those who were brave enough to fight the emotional urge to sell during the carnage in markets which brought 2018 to a close have been richly rewarded in the first few months of 2019. Of the five markets in our regular analysis, even the worst of the bunch (Japan) returned almost 8 per cent so far [...]
Carpetright shares soar as restructuring plan starts to pay off April 25, 2019 Shares in Carpetright soared almost 25 per cent this morning after it reported a “significant” improvement in sales as its restructuring plan begins to pay off. The London-listed carpet specialist said like-for-like sales were up in the fourth quarter in a sign of renewed customer confidence. Read more: Carpetright sales drop but pace of decline [...]
London is leading the way for a more sustainable fashion industry April 24, 2019 Tomorrow marks the six-year anniversary of the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh. A stark reminder of the real human cost of the current fashion industry, and an important time to consider what the future of fashion is shaping up to be. Rana Plaza housed five garment factories that made clothes for big global brands. [...]
Nike to move UK headquarters to new King’s Cross building April 23, 2019 Nike will move its UK headquarters from Soho to a new building in a major redevelopment in King’s Cross. The US firm has signed a deal to lease at least 60,000 square feet in an 11-storey block in the upcoming area, the Evening Standard reported. The company is currently headquartered on Wardour Street in Soho, [...]
British Land offloads Sainsbury’s superstores for £429m to cut retail exposure April 23, 2019 British Land has sold a swathe of Sainsbury’s superstores for £429m as it ploughs ahead with a plan to reduce its exposure to retail property. Read more: British Land swings to £42m loss as retail market hits portfolio value The FTSE 100 landlord revealed this morning that it is selling 12 superstores from its joint [...]
Campaigning against climate change doesn’t make you above the law April 18, 2019 UNTIL this week, the anti-climate change activist group Extinction Rebellion had hardly been a household name. Its various activities, like pouring fake blood onto Downing Street and stripping semi-naked during a session of the House of Commons, had been received with the sort of good humour that the British people always reserve for righteous causes [...]
West End businesses lose £12m in two days during climate change protests April 17, 2019 West End businesses have lost an estimated £12m in sales due to the disruption caused by climate change protesters this week. Extinction Rebellion protests at Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Marble Arch have hit retailers in London’s main shopping district, with some stores reporting a 25 per cent drop in footfall. Read more: Climate change protesters target [...]