H&M reveals 240 store closures in ‘established markets’ March 31, 2022 H&M has announced 240 global store closures after posting a slowdown in sales after suspending activities in Russia. The Swedish retailer has said it will open some 95 new stores and shut around 240 stores this year, with a net decrease of 145 spaces. Closures will “mainly be in established markets,” the fashion company said, [...]
Ikea to close Tottenham store in £1bn plans to speed up home deliveries in London March 30, 2022 Ikea has revealed it will be shutting shop at its Tottenham store, with some 450 employees set to be impacted. However, Ikea said it has plans to retain as many individuals as possible. It is also planning to create some 600 vacancies in the capital before the store shuts. The North London store will remain open [...]
Huel: No rush for IPO as meal replacement drinks biz passes £100m revenue March 30, 2022 The CEO of start-up Huel has said its £1.50 meal replacement drinks offer struggling households affordable nutrition as inflation skyrockets. “We feel we can support [people in the cost of living crunch,] given our products start at £1.50 a meal,” CEO James McMaster told CityA.M. Households are facing sharp grocery bill increases this spring, as [...]
Polymetal reports boost in Russian demand for gold as sanctions hamper exports March 30, 2022 Russian gold miner Polymetal said it remains resilient to the impact of sanctions today after a boost in demand from Russians looking to store their cash in the traditional safe haven asset.
Shop price inflation hits highest rate in more than decade amid cost of living crunch March 30, 2022 Shop price annual inflation has hit the highest rate since September 2011 as Brits face a cost of living crunch. According to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and NielsenIQ, the metric hit 2.1 per cent in March. This was an increase from 1.8 per cent in February. Shoppers have flocked to discount retailers [...]
Handbag maker Mulberry anticipates higher than expected revenue and profit March 29, 2022 Luxury fashion brand Mulberry has said its group revenue for the year will exceed current expectations thanks to healthy sales. In a trading update for its financial year ending 2 April, the retailer said a “robust sales trend” marked in the first half of its 2022 financial year has continued. Group revenue and profit for [...]
Shoppers turn to Aldi and Lidl as grocery price inflation exceeds 5 per cent March 29, 2022 Grocery price inflation has reached 5.2 per cent over the latest four weeks, as households brace for a cost of living crunch this spring. The rate of price hikes has hit the highest level since April 2012, according to Kantar’s index published on Tuesday morning. Shoppers are turning to discount retailers and own brand products [...]
Asda launches new and larger value range and kills off Smart Price in race to kickstart stalling growth March 29, 2022 Supermarket giant Asda, which was bought by the Issa brothers and backers TDR Capital last year, said this afternoon it will axe its Smart Price range and replace it with new Just Essentials by Asda products. In fact, Asda is launching a new and larger value range, amid the cost of living crisis, as the [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile? March 29, 2022 City A.M.’s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every morning. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Dominvs Group London-based real estate developer Dominvs Group has appointed the former CEO of Travis Perkins Properties (TPP) as a senior advisor. Martin Meech steps onto the board with more than four decades of property experience, spanning M&A, strategic development, finance structuring, and [...]
Car dealership Lookers sells Battersea site for £28m March 28, 2022 Car dealership chain Lookers has sold a freehold dealership property in Battersea, south London for £28m. The 95,000 sq ft property was sold with Urban Logistics REIT, with a 20-year lease agreed at an initial rent of £1.25m per year. Lookers CEO Mark Raban said: “We’re pleased to have agreed the selective sale and leaseback [...]