Booming sales at Wickes as locked down Brits turned their hands to DIY June 1, 2021 Sales at Wickes boomed in the six months to 22 May, as a nation under lockdown restrictions got creative with DIY and home renovations. In a trading update this morning, the retailer, which sells various home improvement products, revealed like-for-like growth jumped some 46 per cent on the same period in 2020. Following better [...]
Sun shines on FTSE 100 amid reshuffle as ITV aims for prime-time slot June 1, 2021 The sun is shining on the FTSE 100 with the index receiving an early summer boost pushing it firmly above the psychologically important 7,000 mark. As the global growth recovery story unfolds, miners in particular are on the front foot today, as high demand for metals in particular push prices higher. Anglo American and Rio [...]
Pound retreats after hitting three-year high amid variant concerns June 1, 2021 The pound retreated this morning after reaching a fresh three-year high versus the dollar amid economic recovery hopes. Well into the London session after the bank holiday weekend, sterling reversed its course to fall 0.2 per cent to $1.4183. The pound edged lower as concerns over a new coronavirus strain outweighed increasing investor optimism on [...]
H&M majority-owned second-hand shop Sellpy expands across 20 more EU countries May 31, 2021 Majority-H&M-owned online second-hand shop Sellpy is set to expand its stores across 20 more European countries, the company said today. The Swedish start-up, which picks up the goods from sellers’ homes, and photographs and sells them online, will now be available in a total of 24 markets after launching in 2014. The second-hand market is [...]
John Lewis goes on senior hiring spree in push to modernise brand May 28, 2021 John Lewis has made three new senior hires to support its plans to transform and grow the business after a tough year. The new hires will focus on developing John Lewis’s online store, the retailer’s physical estates and branding. Steve Masterton will become director of online trade. He joins the partnership from Dunelm, where he [...]
Who will be the winners from the UK’s lockdown lifting? May 28, 2021 The UK continues its steady emergence from lockdown. Shops, gyms and outdoor hospitality reopened in April, with hotels, cinemas and indoor dining now following suit. All being well, further restrictions could be lifted in June. The lockdowns of the last year have undoubtedly benefited online grocers and food delivery services. But we’ve reached a crucial [...]
Sales at Pets at Home pass £1.4bn as Brits pick up furry companions May 27, 2021 Revenue at Pets at Home jumped nearly eight per cent in the last year, as coronavirus-led lockdowns persuaded more households to get a pet. Revenue at the pet care retailer jumped 7.9 per cent to £1.14bn in the group’s 2021 financial year. Retail revenue reached £1bn for the first time despite Covid-19 restrictions, and revenue [...]
HSBC quits US retail banking as it turns attention to Asia May 27, 2021 HSBC is withdrawing from the US retail banking market and selling parts of the loss-making business as it shifts its focus to Asia. The bank has long been trying to shrink its presence in some North American and European markets because it has struggled to compete with larger domestic players. In February HSBC unveiled a [...]
Tesco is trying to give quick delivery apps a run for their money May 26, 2021 Tesco is set to launch a new rapid delivery service which will allow the supermarket giant to shuttle orders to customers doorsteps in less than an hour. The supermarket chain will first trial the Whoosh delivery service at its Wolverhampton Willenhall Express store – assessing its potential for a wider rollout. It said that the [...]
Broadgate developer British Land posts annual loss as pandemic wipes £2bn off portfolio May 26, 2021 British Land posted its third consecutive annual loss as empty shops and offices squeezed the valuation of its portfolio. The commercial landlord said the value of its portfolio fell 10.8 per cent from £11.1bn to £9.1bn in the year ended 31 March. It reported a pre-tax loss of £1.08bn compared with a loss of £1.11bn [...]