Sage records ‘strong start to year’ despite investor uncertainty January 26, 2022 The Sage Group makes a “strong start to year”, with software subscription revenue growth up by 13 per cent to £336m, increasing subscription penetration to 73 per cent.
Omicron pushing US Fed into action January 26, 2022 Stagflationary risks are rising as Covid variant extends disruption and central bank steps up to bring inflation under control. US inflation hit its highest level since 1982 at the end of 2021, with the consumer price index (CPI) reaching 7% year-on-year. The figures were widely anticipated, but only add to pressure on the US Federal [...]
CMA launches probe into £1.9bn merger between National Express and Stagecoach January 26, 2022 The UK competition watchdog said this morning it has launched an investigation into the £1.9bn merger between National Express and Stagecoach due to concerns over the tie-up. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had served a so-called initial enforcement order, which stops the companies from fully combining while it considers the deal. Stagecoach [...]
Covid-19 curbs decimate London’s retail economy January 24, 2022 Onerous restrictions on daily life during the pandemic has decimated London’s retail economy, reveals a fresh study released today. The capital’s retailers lost nearly a year’s worth of sales during the pandemic, underlining the severe blow curbs on economic activity has delivered to London’s shops, pubs and restaurants, research carried out by the Centre for [...]
High Street takes a Christmas beating as retail sales volumes dropped by nearly 4 per cent in December January 21, 2022 UK retail sales fell in December by 3.7% as the Omicron variant spread and shoppers made Christmas purchases earlier in November due to concerns over supply chain shortages, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said retail sales volumes fell by 3.7% for the month, compared with a 1% rise in November. [...]
The A-Z of wine: This week, A is for… Assyrtiko January 21, 2022 How do you pronounce it? Ah-seer-tee-co What is it, then? A white grape variety from a land blessed with a beautiful Mediterranean climate, an age-old wine culture, and a wealth of native (and often unpronounceable) grape varieties that make genuinely outstanding wines. Also known as Greece. Best known for wines from the striking volcanic island [...]
Four day work week trial shows 100:80:100 model is taking off in UK but same job in less time may power stress and anxiety January 21, 2022 Three lockdowns have made a large number of employees re-evaluate the notoriously tricky work-life balance. The four-day working week is seen as the perfect solution, designed to offer employees flexible hours and increase productivity during working hours. To some large businesses the concept has proven more viable , so could the five-day working week the next traditional policy [...]
How Derby County slipped to edge of disappearance January 20, 2022 They are former English champions and in top form under the management of Wayne Rooney, yet day by day Derby County are inching towards liquidation and disappearing from football forever. Their story is one of financial mismanagement in a desperate bid to achieve promotion to the Premier League; administrators scrambling to find a buyer – [...]
Wincanton continues to reap rewards of pandemic-era eCommerce boom January 20, 2022 Supply chain partner Wincanton has continued to reaped the rewards of the pandemic-era eCommerce boom, after revenue from the eFulfilment sector has soared over 50 per cent. Total revenue for the group rose by 15 per cent, in comparison with the same quarter last year, Wincanton confirmed in its third quarter trading update today. The [...]
Primark to cut 400 jobs across the UK as part of overhaul of management team January 20, 2022 Primark owner Associated British Foods has reported a 16 per cent boost in group revenues for the 16 weeks up to 8 January 2022.