Coronavirus: Supermarkets mull streamlining stores to cope with spike in demand March 16, 2020 The biggest supermarkets in the UK are mulling cutting cafe, counters and other services to focus on maintaining basic provisions as the demand for essential items and hygiene products soars during the coronavirus outbreak. Bosses are stepping up their contingency plans to keep stores running if staff take sick leave or if a potential mass [...]
Coronavirus: Supermarkets urge customers to stop stockpiling March 15, 2020 UK supermarkets have called on the UK public to stop stockpiling in response to coronavirus as fears mount that some people could be left without essential products. In an open letter to customers, the country’s biggest food retailers, including Sainsbury’s, Tesco Asda and Morrisons, called on consumers to “be considerate in the way they shop” [...]
FTSE 100 climb cools as WHO declares Europe new centre of coronavirus pandemic March 13, 2020 The FTSE 100 made a slight recovery following its worst day of trading since 1987 despite the World Health Organisation declaring the Europe as the new centre of the coronavirus pandemic. London’s blue-chip index rose by 2.46 per cent, or 128.63 points, despite having been up almost six per cent in early trading, to finish [...]
Coronavirus: Supermarkets rebound but leisure stocks suffer March 13, 2020 Supermarket stocks made gains this morning after being dragged down by a mass FTSE 100 sell off sparked by mounting coronavirus fears. Sainsbury’s share price jumped 8.02 per cent to 188.97p, Tesco was up 10.46 per cent at 233.3p and Morrisons climbed 7.98 per cent to 178p. Grocers are positioned well to ride out the [...]
Morrisons moves to support supply chain through coronavirus outbreak March 13, 2020 Morrisons will make immediate payments to smaller businesses and re-classify suppliers to help 1,000 more firms as it moves to protect its supply chain from the impact of coronavirus. The grocer will temporarily scrap its 14 day payment terms and pay small suppliers as soon as an invoice is received. Morrisons also said it will [...]
Budget 2020: Stamp duty hiked for overseas buyers March 11, 2020 The government will go ahead with plans to increase stamp duty for overseas buyers, chancellor Rishi Sunak announced today. He said the government will introduce a new stamp duty surcharge of two per cent for foreign buyers to make it easier for domestic buyers as part of a range of measures to tackle the housing [...]
Coronavirus: Fifth death in UK as confirmed cases rise to 319 March 9, 2020 A fifth person has died from coronavirus in the UK as the number of confirmed cases in the UK rose to 319. The patient who was in their seventies was being treated at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. Chief executive Daniel Elkeles said: “We can confirm that sadly, a patient in their [...]
Coronavirus: Supermarkets call for competition laws to be waived March 9, 2020 The bosses of the UK’s biggest supermarkets are expected to warn the government that the outbreak of coronavirus could require competition law to be paused to allow them to collaborate. During a phone call with environment secretary George Eustice at least one of the big four grocers will reportedly call for the suspension of the [...]
Tesco ramps up fight back against German discounters March 5, 2020 Tesco has ramped up the competition with the German discount supermarkets as it pledged to price match hundreds of products. The UK’s Big Four supermarkets – which also includes Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons – have been shedding market share to budget rivals Aldi and Lidl. Tesco, which is the UK’s largest supermarket, suffered a 0.8 [...]
Hostelworld shares fall as it warns of £3.5m coronavirus blow March 4, 2020 Hostelworld warned the coronavirus outbreak has hurt 2020 bookings today as the virus ravages the travel sector, after slashing its 2019 dividend to invest in expansion. The Covid-19 outbreak prompted Hostelworld to warn it will take a €3m (£2.6m) to €4m (£3.5m) hit to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) in the first [...]