Appointment times and NHS discounts: How retailers plan to lure shoppers back after lockdown May 23, 2020 After more than two months of enforced closure during the UK coronavirus lockdown, retailers across England are preparing to potentially reopen to shoppers from 1 June. The high street will look different when retailers are allowed to open their doors. Social distancing signage will be in place, shop assistants will wear masks and a number [...]
Oil prices bounce back as demand drop forecasts trimmed May 14, 2020 Oil prices bounced back after yesterday’s losses after the International Energy Agency trimmed its forecast for the drop in oil demand over the full year. Having slipped earlier in the week, worldwide benchmark Brent crude picked up 2.8 per cent to cross the $30 threshold again. US standard West Texas Intermediate rose 3.1 per cent [...]
Oil prices mixed as second wave threat tempers new production cut May 11, 2020 Oil prices were mixed today, supported by Saudi Arabia’s move to reduce output by an extra 1m barrels per day, but pressured by fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections. Brent crude fell 1.6 per cent to $30.47 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 0.7 per cent to $24.92. Global oil [...]
UK retailers warn government coronavirus aid not enough to prevent ‘imminent collapse’ May 11, 2020 UK retailers have warned that its financial aid package for businesses during the coronavirus crisis will not prevent the “imminent collapse” of many firms. In a letter to the chancellor Rishi Sunak and small business minister Paul Scully, the British Retail Consortium said the crisis “facing parts of the retail sector…must be addressed urgently ahead [...]
Long queues and no discounts: London’s West End sets out rules as 600 shops prepare to reopen May 8, 2020 West End businesses have been advised to cut opening hours and abandon in-store promotions as London’s shopping and entertainment district prepares to reopen after the UK coronavirus lockdown. Retailers have been urged to only offer sales and promotions online to avoid drawing big crowds into stores. Visitor numbers will be managed with waiting areas to [...]
Government misses testing target for fourth consecutive day May 6, 2020 The government has missed its target for coronavirus testing for the fourth day in the row, after just 69,463 tests were carried out yesterday. In the Downing Street daily briefing, communities secretary Robert Jenrick confirmed 69,463 tests had been carried out in the past day. More than 30,000 people have died from coronavirus in the [...]
Ocado retail sales surge 40 per cent in second quarter on stockpiling May 6, 2020 Ocado retail sales have jumped 40 per cent year on year after ramping up capacity to meet delivery demand amid shopper stockpiling during the coronavirus crisis. The online supermarket, which stopped accepting new customers for its delivery service amid the stockpiling craze at the start of the UK lockdown, today said that trend has now [...]
Taiwan deserves a seat at the WHO table May 4, 2020 As the UK battles the Covid-19, there are lessons that can be drawn from the experience and success that Taiwan has had in containing the pandemic. At first glance, Taiwan would appear to be a potential hotspot. Approximately 850,000 Taiwanese currently work and live in China, with Taiwan experiencing its first Covid-19 case as early [...]
Three lessons law firms can learn from rivals’ collapses amid coronavirus April 30, 2020 Law firm collapses are a lot like bank runs. Confidence in the institution crumbles, causing partners to rush for the exits – taking their capital and clients with them. Partner departures reduce the firm’s revenue, profit and capital, leading to further partner exits in a destructive feedback loop. Once firms enter this death spiral it [...]
Westminster approves £150m Cavendish Square health hub underneath Oxford Street April 29, 2020 Developers have today been given the green light for a £150m plan to transform Cavendish Square into a subterranean health and wellness hub. Property firm Reef Group has outlined proposals to turn a 1960s car park below the Georgian square in the West End into specialist facilities for the healthcare sector, as well as premium [...]