UK recession to hit sooner than first thought as economy unexpectedly shrinks May 12, 2022 The UK is “dangerously close” to tipping into a recession sooner than predicted due to households already cutting spending ahead of the cost of living squeeze tightening. That’s according to City economists’ assessment of weaker than expected GDP figures published today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The economy shrank 0.1 per cent in [...]
The City View: Subpar UK economic figures, and more rate hikes to come May 12, 2022 Today Andy Silvester talks to City A.M.’s Economics and Markets reporter Jack Barnett. They go through the gloomy economic figures released by the ONS this morning measuring the economy’s performance, and explain what this will mean for rate hikes going forward. And in the news: BT has confirmed a joint sports venture with Warner Bros [...]
JD Sports sales go up but group remains aware of headwinds May 12, 2022 Sports retailer JD Sports has announced an increase in sales but said it remained aware of market volatility and possible headwinds looming ahead. In the first 14 weeks ended 7 May, JD Sports’ revenues went up 5 per cent on the same period last year, as the group was left almost unscathed by a shortfall [...]
Nasco UK Ltd is no stranger to an award and certainly no stranger to the Queen’s Awards. May 10, 2022 Their winning of this year’s award for international trade is the fifth time Nasco has been recognised by the crown in this category, the previous four coming consecutively between 2013 and 2016. On top of that Nasco won Sunday Times Fast Track awards in 2013 and 2014 as one of the fastest growing private companies [...]
Brits hold back on buying sofas and fridges as cost of living climbs May 10, 2022 Brits have held back on buying big ticket items, such as furniture, as living costs spiral. Retail sales in the UK fell on a like-for-like basis by 1.7 per cent last month, compared to April 2021. Sales growth went into decline for the first time in 15 months as retailers face a balancing act between [...]
‘Hard’ assets in demand: Deals by City’s distressed private equity funds treble to £1.8bn in just one year May 9, 2022 The leading mid-tier distressed asset private equity and debt funds in the UK made a total of £1.8bn of acquisitions of businesses last year, almost treble the £670m registered in 2020 and the highest figure for five years. The 12 specialist funds acquired 26 UK businesses in 2021, up from 19 the previous year. There [...]
Makeup seller Revolution Beauty’s sales soar after Boots picks up products May 6, 2022 British makeup seller Revolution Beauty Group today vowed to continue selling “quality products at affordable prices” as the firm said strong demand for “mass market beauty” led to its earnings increasing by 73 per cent year-on-year. The cosmetics firm said its UK sales increased 85 per cent over the previous year, following the successful rollout [...]
McColl’s appeals for rescue deal: Administration ‘increasingly likely’ unless solution can be found May 5, 2022 Convenience store giant McColl’s has said it is “increasingly likely” it will be forced to call in administrators unless an immediate rescue deal can be cinched. Responding to press speculation, the London-listed firm said that “unless an alternative solution can be agreed in the short term, it is increasingly likely that the group would be [...]
Sales boost for Next as shoppers take back to the high street May 5, 2022 High street giant Next saw a boost in sales in the first quarter of the year it continues to feel the lift of stores reopening after covid lockdowns.
Supermarket sales slow over Easter as Brits start to cut back on grocery purchases May 4, 2022 Supermarket sales slowed last month as spending habits returned to normal after pandemic restrictions. Households are tightening their purse strings after the first tranche of higher bills hit budgets this spring while spending habits are also normalising after the easing of lockdown restrictions. Shoppers added slightly fewer items to their baskets over the last four [...]