Toy subscription service Whirli raises £4m seed funding round December 15, 2020 A London-based toy sharing subscription service has raised £4m in its seed round led by Octopus Ventures just in time for Christmas. Rather than a usual subscription service, Whirli subscribers borrow toys instead of purchasing them and any unloved or outgrown toys can be sent back and swapped for another item. Whirli’s service, which starts [...]
Before the Bell: Coronavirus mutation unsettles the market as London faces Tier 3 December 15, 2020 European markets underwent a rather mixed session yesterday, with the FTSE100 underperforming after it was announced that London and a good part of the south east of England was being put into tier 3 restrictions at midnight tonight, due to a new strain of the coronavirus which was spreading at a faster rate. “This of [...]
Green and ESG bonds: what’s behind their rise? December 14, 2020 The green and social bond market continues to grow, evolve and diversify, remaining a helpful tool in driving sustainability. We look at what this means for investors. Green bonds have been attracting attention for some time, being a key element of the development and growth of sustainable or environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing in [...]
The week ahead, 14-18 December: Shaftesbury, SSP, Petrofac, and interest rates December 13, 2020 All eyes will be fixed firmly on Brussels this week, as businesses across the country hold their breath to see if the UK can finally reach a deal with the EU. With markets on edge as they await the outcome of the talks, there’s little to distract traders, with only a handful of firms reporting [...]
Authentic Brands in talks over double swoop for Arcadia and Debenhams – report December 13, 2020 US retail giant Authentic Brands is planning an audacious double swoop for collapsed Arcadia and Debenhams in a deal that would transform the high street. The firm, which recently took over historic New York department store Barneys, is in talks with the administrators of the two companies this weekend. The Sunday Telegraph reported that the [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group confirms interest in Topshop-owner Arcadia December 10, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has confirmed it is considering a deal to buy some of Arcadia’s brands, including Topshop, after the Sir Philip Green-owned retail empire collapsed at the end of last month. Chris Wootton, Frasers’ chief financial officer, told the BBC the group “tends to look at almost everything on the high street”, as [...]
Ocado lifts full-year profit forecast following home delivery boom during pandemic December 10, 2020 Ocado has raised its full-year profit forecast after the online supermarket saw grocery sales boom during England’s second national lockdown. Revenue at Ocado Retail, the company’s joint venture with Marks & Spencer, surged 35 per cent in the three months to 29 November to almost £580m. The group said full-year earnings before interest, tax, depreciation [...]
City of London launches gift card to boost spending at Square Mile businesses December 9, 2020 A new gift card for the City of London has been launched to make up for lost spending time during the pandemic.
UK extends commercial tenant eviction ban until March December 9, 2020 The UK’s ban on commercial property eviction has been extended today to March 2021. Housing secretary Robert Jenrick announced that this will be the final extension of the business eviction ban, after it was originally supposed to end in September this year. A statement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the [...]
Sunday’s shopping surge beats Black Friday to largest shopping day of the year December 8, 2020 In what will be seen as a big boost for retailers, this past weekend has beaten Black Friday to the current crown of busiest shopping day of the year so far. This follows data released by Barlcayard Payments, which processes nearly £1 in every £3 spent in the UK, revealing that this weekend was the [...]