Sign-up economy falls apart as Brits ditch costly subscriptions en masse due to fast-shrinking budgets July 7, 2022 New figures out this morning show that the growth of the “subscription economy” is stalling rapidly as living costs squeeze household budgets and people return to pre-coronavirus pandemic routines. More than a third (36%) of people say they have cancelled at least one subscription because their disposable income has fallen as interest rates and inflation [...]
London shops hit by falling footfall as Brits tighten belts amid inflation July 7, 2022 Central London shops may see a spending slowdown in the weeks to come, with city centres still reeling from the impact of office workers remaining at home, industry experts have warned. While the gap between 2019 footfall levels did narrow slightly in June versus May due to the Platinum Jubilee, sales lagged towards the end [...]
The Very Group hires ex-Walmart executive as CEO amid £4bn IPO rumours July 6, 2022 The Very Group has snapped up the former president and CEO of Walmart Japan Lionel Desclée to run the online retail giant as it mulls a £4bn float. Desclée will join the company on 19 September, as current CEO Henry Birch will step down after four and a half years overseeing the firm. Very Group [...]
AO World looks to raise £40m amid cash crunch fears July 6, 2022 British electrical retailer AO World revealed it is looking to raise £40m today to shore up its balance sheet just days after its share price plunged amid fears over its cash reserves. It was revealed earlier this week that a third-party credit insurer serving some of the firm’s suppliers had slashed its cover in light [...]
Topps Tiles’ commercial business to climb into profitability next year July 6, 2022 The UK’s largest tile retailer, Topps Tiles, has said its historically loss-making commercial business will climb into profitability next year, as it continues to navigate falling consumer confidence, supply chain challenges and historic levels of inflation. “We remain confident that the business will break even in the second half of the year and then move [...]
Consumer confidence plunges to Covid lockdown lows as households’ financial worries spiral July 6, 2022 Consumer confidence in the economy has plunged to its lowest point since the start of the pandemic as Sainsbury’s top boss warned the worst was yet to come. According to Which? research published today, only eight per cent of consumers felt the UK economy would improve over the next 12 months. However, nearly eight in [...]
Sainsbury’s boss has grim warning for Brits: The pressure on your budgets will only intensify July 5, 2022 The CEO of Sainsbury’s warned this morning that rising pressure on household budgets “will only intensify over the remainder of the year” as he pledged to invest more money into improving value for shoppers. Simon Roberts, chief executive of the supermarket group, said it is working to reduce costs across its operations amid continued inflation. [...]
Ikea announces sale in Russia ahead of exit as staff run through store in search of a bargain July 5, 2022 People were seen running through Russian Ikea stores to grab a bargain as the retailer announced it is holding a sale before quitting the country. Footage shared online reportedly showed people sprinting through a store, while the Russian-language site for the Swedish furniture giant reportedly went down under weight of demand. The flat-packing retailer announced [...]
Exclusive: London fintech Revolut launches first card reader in venture into physical retail July 5, 2022 London fintech Revolut is making its first venture into physical devices with the launch of a card reader for shops and restaurants. Revolut, which now caters to a global customer base of 18m and garnered a $33bn valuation in its latest funding round, told City A.M. it was launching the device in UK and Ireland. [...]
MADE hires fresh Chief Customer Officer just months after it slashed 2022 expectations July 5, 2022 Lifestyle brand Made.com has appointed its first ever Chief Customer Officer Dan Elton as it tries to ride its ongoing difficulties. The role will involve leading MADE’s Marketing, Digital and Customer Experience teams, as well as accelerating MADE’s growth in mainland Europe. It comes after MADE slashed its 2022 expectations back in May, with both [...]