Return on property value: Is it time to sell if you live in this part of London? May 5, 2021 Recent ONS figures suggest that UK house sales have increased by 160 per cent since January, and show no sign of slowing down any time soon. Average house prices across the UK increased 8.6 per cent in the year to February, the highest house price growth recorded in the UK since October 2014. One of the trends that [...]
5 incredible companies that are hiring in London right now May 5, 2021 Summer is here (finally!), and it’s a great time to make some changes. For many people, that might mean a wardrobe cleanout or a new workout routine, for others, it might mean a new job. Today, let’s deal with the job thing. It can be a bit daunting to start a job hunt, especially during [...]
High street decline May 5, 2021 With high streets in turmoil and recovery slow, high street graveyards are becoming a common sight across the UK. The past 12 months have not been easy for the vast majority of companies, in particular for those without an online platform. However, the struggle of the high street is not a new problem. Rewind a few years [...]
Barclays to offer climate vote to investors next year May 5, 2021 Barclays will offer investors a vote on its climate policy at next year’s investor meeting after pressure from activists and shareholders to become greener. The bank will devise extra climate targets in consultation with shareholders, its chairman Nigel Higgins told a webcast investor meeting today. Barclays set itself a target in March 2020 to reach [...]
Debenhams announces final store closures after 240 years on the UK high street May 5, 2021 Debenhams has announced that its remaining shops will close for good next week, meaning the department store chain will disappear from the high street after more than 200 years in business. It announced its final 49 stores will be open to customers for the last time on either 12 or 15 May. The retailer previously [...]
Tesco, M&S and John Lewis among UK retail giants to threaten Brazil boycott over Amazon deforestation May 5, 2021 UK retail giants including Tesco, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis have threatened to boycott Brazillian agricultural commodities over the deforestation of the Amazon. In an open letter published today the retailers said they will take action if Brazil’s government passes a law expanding property rights for squatters on public land. Campaigners have warned that [...]
Hipgnosis buys up Dua Lipa and Justin Bieber songwriter’s back catalogue May 5, 2021 Hipgnosis has bought the catalogue of songwriter and producer Andrew Watt as the music investment firm continued its spending spree. Watt recently won producer of the year at the 2021 Grammy Awards for his work with artists including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa. Hipgnosis’ acquisition binge shows no sign of slowing down, after the [...]
Fewer car sales and new drivers hits brakes on Direct Line growth May 5, 2021 Insurer Direct Line today said that low levels of new car sales and fewer new drivers led to deflationary market conditions during the first quarter. The firm’s total group premiums fell 4.7 per cent year-on-year to £752.3m, with motor premiums plummeting 10.6 per cent to £367.3m. Elsewhere, Direct Line continued to deliver growth in its [...]
Virgin Money swings to profit on lower bad loan provisions May 5, 2021 Banking group Virgin Money today said it had improved half-year earnings after setting aside less cash to cover Covid-driven loan losses. The bank reported statutory pre-tax profit of £72m the six months ended 31 March, compared to a £7m loss a year earlier when it hade hefty provisions for potential bad loans. Virgin Money took [...]
Boohoo sales and profits surge after fast fashion retailer ups loungewear and activewear offering during pandemic May 5, 2021 Fast fashion retailer Boohoo reported a spike in sales and profit last year after refocusing its product offering on loungewear and activewear during the coronavirus pandemic. The e-commerce giant announced this morning that revenue surged 41 per cent in the year ended 28 February 2021, with sales jumping from £1.23bn to £1.75bn. Profit before tax [...]