Dubai ends 30 per cent tax on alcohol sales January 1, 2023 Dubai has ended its 30 per cent tax on alcohol sales in the sheikhdom and made its required liquor licences free to obtain, ending a long-standing source of revenue for its ruling family to apparently further boost its tourism to the emirate. The sudden New Year’s Day announcement, made by Dubai’s two state-linked alcohol retailers, [...]
Next: Fashion chain starts January sales early ahead of update January 1, 2023 Fashion chain Next is set to shine a light on the health of the retail sector in the aftermath of the “crucial” Christmas shopping period. Investors will be closely watching the clothing and homeware giant’s trading update on Thursday for detail on its sales figures over the festive season. In August, chief executive Lord Wolfson [...]
Inflation surge reshapes Brits’ spending, but so does end of Covid-19 curbs December 30, 2022 Inflation reaching a 41-year high. Interest rates back to 2008 levels. Mortgage costs up substantially. It’s been a tough year for the Great British consumer. Income growth has failed to keep pace with what was a 11.1 per cent cost of living peak, meaning households have been forced to cut back to protect their finances. [...]
Mining and retail stocks push FTSE 100 into the green after Christmas shopping boost December 29, 2022 The FTSE 100 has been given a boost by its top retail stocks as investors cashed in on the post-Christmas sales shopping, and as China is set to ease its Covid restrictions for inbound travellers from January 8. Among the top performers on London’s leading index on Wednesday were JD Sports Fashion, Next, Kingfisher and [...]
Made.com customers will not see return of £12m in deposits for pricey furniture December 27, 2022 Tens of thousands of Made.com customers will be left out of pocket by a total of nearly £12m, according to the homeware firm’s administrators. The London-listed sofa seller collapsed this autumn after a consumer crunch caused sales to slow, resulting in hundreds of job losses. Now, a report by PwC administrators has revealed that more [...]
Boxing Day footfall bounce for retail as West End chief calls for recovery help December 27, 2022 Retail destinations across the country reaped the rewards of a Christmas without Covid restrictions as Boxing Day sales enticed shoppers out of their houses. However, business leaders noted footfall was still below 2019 levels and called on the government to help accelerate retail’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic as it grapples with an economic downturn. [...]
Currys, Asos and Sainsbury’s top retail stocks this Christmas December 23, 2022 For investors looking to give their portfolios a seasonal shake-up, CityA.M. takes a look at analysts’ selections of the retail stocks to keep a close eye on in the coming weeks. Analysts at Hargreaves Lansdown chose Currys, Asos and Sainsbury’s as the three retail stocks to watch this Christmas. It comes as retailers have been [...]
Campaigners warn hiking rail fares could push people away from train travel December 21, 2022 Even a below inflation increase in rail fares could put people off travelling by train altogether, according to campaigners. Norman Baker, director of external affairs at advocacy group Campaign for Better Transport, told City A.M. that any increase to ticket prices will come “as a further blow to long-suffering passengers” after months “of cancellations and [...]
London businesses lament dismal start to 2023 after another rail strike set for January December 20, 2022 Hospitality leaders have reiterated calls for rail firms and unions to hash out an eleventh-hour resolution to swerve January strikes, after train drivers announced another walk-out. Train drivers at 15 companies in the union Aslef have agreed to strike on 5 January, as part of a long-standing pay dispute. The walkout will take place on [...]
Ikea: Sales up 13 per cent despite costs of living and inflation December 19, 2022 Ikea has revealed that sales jumped over the past year due to customers returning to its shops and price increases in the face of cost inflation. The Swedish furniture retailer revealed that total sales grew by 13 per cent to £2.2bn over the year to 31 August, compared with the same period last year. Peter [...]