Retail therapy gives markets a lift as battle to contain inflation genie starts in earnest May 27, 2022 European markets spent most of yesterday edging cautiously higher, with the FTSE100 shrugging off the UK government’s decision to impose a 25 per cent windfall tax on the oil and gas sector, while at the same time unveiling a fiscal stimulus package. The decision to impose the controversial tax appears to have prompted a review [...]
The City View: Offshore Energies UK CEO on deleterious effects of a windfall tax May 25, 2022 Today Andy Silvester chats to Deirdre Michie, CEO at Offshore Energies UK. They unpick the windfall tax, the risk it poses for smaller energy firms and the sector in general, the state of the energy industry, and the seemingly lackadaisical speed of the energy transition. In other news: M&S is leaving its Russian franchise business, [...]
Shops’ tax bill 755 per cent higher than online rivals amid war of words over sales tax May 23, 2022 Traditional brick and mortar retailers pay 755 per cent more – almost eight times – than their online rivals in business rates tax. The figures come after Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer execs have voiced differing opinions over the prospect of an online sales tax. Fresh analysis by real estate advisor Altus Group has found [...]
Amazon bets on UK as Netflix slows down May 20, 2022 Amazon has invested more than £1bn in TV, movie and live sport content in the UK since 2018, with plans to pump even more cash into establishing itself as the go-to content provider for Brits.
Zegna boss: The suit is not dead – but the tie is May 19, 2022 “Let me be clear – the suit is not dead. But the tie is!” That’s the view of Ermenegildo Zegna, CEO and chairman of the Italian luxury fashion house Zegna. Speaking at the Financial Times’ business of luxury conference on Thursday, Zegna said knitwear was the “new tie” and demand for luxury leisurewear continues to [...]
Architects call for public inquiry over plans to bulldoze ‘important’ M&S flagship Oxford St store May 19, 2022 A coalition of historians and architects have urged Michael Gove to hold a public inquiry into plans to bulldoze the Art Deco M&S flagship store on Oxford St. The supermarket hopes to demolish the iconic building, constructed in 1929, in order to create a new 10-storey building, with office space and a gym. Architects – [...]
Asos chair Ian Dyson to take on role as Currys chair May 19, 2022 Currys has announced Asos chair Ian Dyson will join the company as chair of the electronics retailer. Dyson will succeed Ian Livingston by joining the board as chair on 8 September, when Livingston will step down from the board. The Asos chair has decades of experience of retail and leisure, including a five-year stint as [...]
Marks & Spencer’s CFO urges Chancellor Rishi Sunak to firmly reject online sales tax May 19, 2022 Marks and Spencer has reportedly warned the Government that an online sales tax would do more harm than good for the high street. In February, the Government launched a consultation into possibilities for an online sales tax to ease the business rates burden on high street stores. In a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, reportedly [...]
Pubs and restaurants battle to keep prices competitive amid ‘intense pressure’ on margins May 17, 2022 The hospitality sector has warned of “intense pressure” on margins while shoppers have been told food prices could surge as much as 10 per cent. Marks & Spencer chairman Archie Norman cautioned that shoppers could see an even pricey weekly shop amid historic levels of inflation. Speaking to the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on [...]
Brexit: UK announces plan to kill off Northern Ireland protocol, outrage and disbelief in EU capitals May 17, 2022 Foreign Secretary Liz Truss just announced the Government’s intention to introduce legislation “in the coming weeks to make changes in the [Northern Ireland] protocol”. She told the Commons: “As the Prime Minister said, our shared objective has to be to find a solution that commands the broadest possible cross-community support for years to come and [...]