Stop blaming lazy landlords for empty shops and look for the cause not the symptom January 11, 2023 We're blaming landlords for empty high streets because we're too scared to look at the real problem underneath, the falling incomes across the country putting retail in a binds, writes Dominic Curran.
Petrol price plummets to below 150p for first time since Russia invaded Ukraine January 10, 2023 The average price of petrol has fallen below 150p per litre for the first time in more than 10 months. Figures from data company Experian show the average price of a litre of the fuel at UK forecourts on Monday was 149.7p. The reduction of nearly 42p from the record high of 191.5p in July last year, [...]
AO World ‘cautiously optimistic as moves to slash costs helped lift profit expectations January 10, 2023 AO World has said it is “cautiously optimistic” as the online electricals retailer revealed that moves to slash costs have helped the firm’s profits surpass expectations. Last year, the Bolton-based company closed its loss-making German business and launched actions designed to save at least £30 million a year by 2023-24, including axing a raft of senior and [...]
Majestic: Brits taste for champagne and sparkling wine in December boosts sales with second-largest festive intake ever January 10, 2023 Brits guzzled down 20 per cent more wine at Christmas than before Covid, as Majestic posted its second-highest festive intake in 40 years. The UK’s largest specialist retailer, Majestic Wine, raked in a sales increase of 21.1 per cent against 2019, with English sparkling wine proving particularly popular. Majestic reported that sales rose 0.2 per [...]
Inflation wipes out Christmas sales as Britain stumbles toward recession January 10, 2023 Inflation is forcing Brits to rein in spending to shield their finances, prompting experts today to warn of a rise in high street bankruptcies as the country stumbles into a recession. Retail sales fell in real terms over the Christmas period, when consumers tend to splash the cash on food, new clothes and decorations, according [...]
Jaguar Land Rover’s sales to retailers surge as semiconductor shortages ease January 9, 2023 Jaguar Land Rover today reported a surge in the number of sales to retailers, as the semiconductor shortages that have plagued the automotive industry for the past three years begin to ease. The luxury car maker produced 79,591 vehicles in the three months to 31 December, 15 per cent up on last year’s levels. Wholesale [...]
How a viral TikTok video about Prosecco helped Lidl record its busiest ever sales day January 9, 2023 Emma D’Arcy’s viral TikTok Negroni Sbagliato fad helped budget supermarket Lidl achieve its busiest day of trading in its 28-year history after sales of booze skyrocketed. The discount retailer recorded its busiest day ever on Friday 23rd December following a surge in customers switching over from more expensive rivals. The record trading came as [...]
How the Chinese New Year and covid rule changes could give a tourism boost to London’s West End January 6, 2023 London’s West End is looking forward to the return of Chinese tourists this month, after the easing of the nation’s zero-Covid policy – ahead of the Chinese New Year. China has seen a surge in Covid infections in recent months, with EU countries introducing testing requirements for travellers. Travel from and to China will be [...]
FTSE 100 Close: Standard Chartered pops after shock takeover rumours emerge January 5, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 extended its hot start to 2023 today, helped along the way by Asia-focused Standard Chartered surging after news emerged rival lender First Abu Dhabi Bank has been mulling snapping up the firm. Its shares shot up around a fifth during early exchanges in the City today, before paring back to eventually close [...]
Next boss Lord Wolfson: London’s High Streets had ‘more to worry about’ four years ago despite loss of brands like Topshop January 5, 2023 Next boss Lord Wolfson has “less reason to worry about the high street” compared to a few years ago, on the tail of a slew of household names shuttering. Physical retail was in a less concerning position than in recent years, when a switch to online shopping signalled a death knell for many staple retailers, [...]