How Christmas lights give London its sparkle December 18, 2025 London’s festive lights, a tradition since 1954, are integral to the capital’s economic and social vitality, says Karen Baines When London switched on its first festive lights along Regent Street in 1954, few could have imagined how profoundly they would come to define the season. That gesture lit the way for a much-loved tradition that [...]
Cut interest rates, City AM Shadow MPC tells Bank of England December 17, 2025 The Bank of England should cut interest rates by 25 basis points when it meets tomorrow, City AM’s Shadow Monetary Policy Committee has said in a three-way split decision. In the face of the dual problems of high inflation and a continued jobs market decline, the majority of experts on City AM’s nine-strong Shadow MPC [...]
Profit triples at Cartier owner as UK sales rise December 16, 2025 Profit has almost tripled at the UK arm of the luxury goods giant behind the likes of Cartier, Net-a-Porter and Montblanc, new results have revealed. Richemont UK has posted a pre-tax profit of £30m for the 12 months to 31 March, 2025, according to its latest accounts which have been filed with Companies House. The [...]
Timberland owner cuts UK jobs as sales slip again December 15, 2025 Almost 100 jobs have been lost at the UK and Ireland arm of the retail giant behind the likes of The North Face, Vans and Timberland as its sales continued to fall during its latest financial year, it has been revealed. The division of VF Corporation, whose brands also include Eastpak, Kipling and Napapijri, cut [...]
Next eyes Russell & Bromley deal December 13, 2025 The high street giant Next is reportedly considering making an offer to invest in Russell & Bromley, the shoe retailer that said it was looking for a fresh cash injection. It has been reported that the FTSE 100 company is among several possible parties interested in investing in the smaller retail brand. It is unclear [...]
Sumer Group, champions of SMEs, leading the way towards economic growth December 12, 2025 They tackled Brexit head-on, survived Covid, coped with the impact of the war in Ukraine and battled rising costs. The latest growth forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility presents a further challenge with the OBR reducing their expectations for productivity growth by 0.3ppts to 1 per cent. In times of uncertainty these businesses have [...]
Leon to close sites and cut jobs as it enters administration December 10, 2025 Fast-food chain Leon is set to enter administration, close a number of locations and cut jobs as part of a bid by its new owner to turn around the struggling chain. The company was bought back by co-founder John Vincent last month from Asda in a deal reported to be between £30m and £50m, well [...]
Castles Technology Strengthens Pacific Presence With New Melbourne Headquarters December 10, 2025 New regional hub expands support for partners across the Pacific and reflects strong business growth in Australia and New Zealand
Club L London founder shares huge pay day after record profit December 10, 2025 Club L London has issued a huge pay day after profit at the fashion retailer surged to a new record, it has been revealed. Katie Randev, who leads the Manchester-headquartered business as chief executive, is in line to share a dividend of £3.7m for its latest financial year, new accounts filed with Companies House show. [...]
Breitling: UK sales slump by almost £20m at luxury watchmaker December 10, 2025 Sales at the UK arm of luxury watch brand Breitling slumped by almost £20m during its latest financial year. The division of the Swiss watchmaker has reported a turnover of £57.9m for the 12 months to 31 March, 2025, according to new accounts filed with Companies House. That’s down from the £76.3m it achieved in [...]