Hostelworld investors revolt over CEO pay and political donations April 26, 2021 More than a quarter of Hostelworld investors have rebelled against the pay deal for bosses at the pandemic-hit firm. The global hostel operator said that 29 per cent of shareholder votes were cast against an amendment to its remuneration policy after generous incentive schemes were criticised. Shareholder advisory group ISS had recommended that investors vote [...]
United Oil and Gas hails ‘landmark year’ despite Covid crisis April 26, 2021 United Oil and Gas this morning hailed a “landmark year” for the AIM-listed firm despite the carnage caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The company, one of the few smaller oil and gas firms to operate both exploratory and production assets, posted its first ever profit in 2020. United also said that it had seen its [...]
Former Post Office boss quits Morrisons and Dunelm boards April 26, 2021 Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells has this morning stepped down from her roles on the boards of Morrisons and Dunelm after one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in recent history. In statements issued by the two firms, they confirmed she would step down with immediate effect. Andrew Higginson, Morrisons chairman, said: “Paula has [...]
Australia opens travel bubble with New Zealand April 19, 2021 Thousands of passengers have descended on Australian airports today as the country reopened quarantine-free travel with New Zealand for the first time in more than a year. The new travel bubble means travellers no longer need to self-isolate for two weeks when moving between the countries. While most Australian states had allowed quarantine-free visits from [...]
Tesco profits tumble despite surge in pandemic sales April 14, 2021 Tesco’s pre-tax profit fell by 20 per cent to £825m in 2020 despite a pandemic-driven jump in group sales. The UK’s biggest grocer said it incurred £892m of Covid-related costs during the year and repaid £535m of business rates relief. The retailer reported a 6.3 per cent rise in group like-for-like sales, including a 7.7 [...]
France, Germany and Australia turn to alternative Covid vaccines amid Astrazeneca blood clot concerns April 9, 2021 A growing number of countries have begun to turn their backs on Astrazeneca’s Covid vaccine amid fears over a potential link to blood clots, despite health agencies around the world insisting it remains safe and effective. France this morning said it was preparing to recommend that under-55s seek an alternative vaccine even if they have [...]
Supermarket clothing sales double as shoppers seek retail therapy April 7, 2021 Supermarket clothing sales boomed last month as consumers sought in-person shopping experiences while non-essential retailers were closed, in a positive indicator of pent up demand ahead of high streets reopening next week. Sales of clothing at supermarkets doubled to £313m in the four weeks ended 27 March. Home and garden sales also collectively jumped to [...]
Panic over: Brits made 117m fewer trips to the supermarket this March March 30, 2021 Brits made 117m fewer trips to supermarkets this month than in March 2020, which was a month that saw supermarket shelves stripped bare as consumers started panic buying ahead of the UK’s first national lockdown. Grocery sales fell three per cent in the four weeks to 21 March 2021, while during the same period last [...]
Asda faces ‘multimillion pound’ hit if supermarket loses equal pay claim March 25, 2021 Asda could be forced to make a “multimillion pound” payout if it loses an appeal on equal pay at the UK’s top court tomorrow. The supermarket is waiting for the Supreme Court’s judgement after it appealed against a ruling that workers in Asda stores – who are mainly female – could compare their pay with [...]
McColl’s fails to return to to profit despite bumper convenience store sales during pandemic March 23, 2021 McColl’s reported a jump in revenue last year as the convenience store chain benefitted from a surge in demand for local stores during the pandemic, but failed to return to profit. Total revenue for the year was up 3.2 per cent to £1.26bn, with its store closure programme partly offsetting the surge in sales. Like-for-like [...]