HSBC sells UK life insurance arm in latest European retreat July 3, 2025 Banking juggernaut HSBC has marked its latest retreat on European operations after selling its UK life protection arm to insurance firm Chesnara. HSBC have offloaded the division for £260m, which Chesnara will fund through a combination of external resources, credit facility and a equity raise. The move comes amid Georges Elhedery‘s sweeping changes at the [...]
Currys shares soar after retailer posts growth across divisions July 3, 2025 Electricals retailer Currys recorded a jump in cash flow as the firm out-performed competitors with growth across in-store and online sales. Currys posted profit before tax for the year ending May 3 2025 of £162m, falling in line with expectations of a 37 per cent increase pencilled in earlier this year. Net cash – the [...]
Gymkhana: World famous Indian restaurant leans into ‘fakeaway’ boom July 3, 2025 For years, the name “Gymkhana” has been synonymous with exquisite, two Michelin-starred Indian dining in London’s upscale Mayfair, a celebrity favourite, reportedly frequented by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, and the Beckhams. Now, a pioneering venture, Gymkhana Fine Foods, is allowing home cooks to recreate that magic in their own kitchens. Launched in [...]
Superdrug shrugs off Rachel Reeves’ tax hikes to create over 600 jobs July 2, 2025 Superdrug has created more than 600 jobs despite tax hikes introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves putting “pressure” on its margins. The high street chain upped its headcount from 13,845 to 14,479 in 2024, new accounts filed with Companies House have revealed. The increase comes after Superdrug also created more than 400 jobs in 2023. The [...]
Government calls for investigation as Lindsey refinery owner folds July 1, 2025 The government has called for an urgent investigation after the group behind one of Britain’s largest oil refineries collapsed into administration, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. State Oil – the parent company of Prax Group, which owns the Lindsey refinery in North Lincolnshire – appointed administrators on Monday. A separate winding-up order has also [...]
Bodycare: Reeves creating ‘too much risk and uncertainty’ for us to expand June 30, 2025 Bodycare has slowed down the pace of opening new stores across the UK as it blamed the government for creating “too much risk and uncertainty”. The Lancashire-headquartered retailer added that “the current climate of increased costs and legislation” is impacting its growth plans. Bodycare has also said that government policy on the winter fuel allowance [...]
Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 strike £343m deal June 30, 2025 Vodafone has received a boots worth £343m from Virgin Media O2 just a few weeks after its mega merger with Three was finally approved. Virgin Media O2 has agreed to pay £343m for a tranche of mobile spectrum from Vodafone UK in a deal which is hoped will help shore up its network capacity amid [...]
WH Smith knocks down price of high street stores to close sale June 30, 2025 WH Smith has been forced to reduce its offer price for its high street arm by £ 12m amid lower-than-expected cash flow in the period leading up to the sale. The move will see WH Smith become a pure-play travel retailer, and its high street arm will be rebranded to TG Jones. The Swindon-headquartered company [...]
Clarks cuts over 1,200 jobs as sales fall by almost £100m June 30, 2025 Clarks cut more than 1,200 jobs as its sales slumped by almost £100m during its latest financial year, it has been revealed. The Somerset-headquartered shoe retailer has reported a revenue of £901.3m for 2024, down from the £994.5m it achieved in 2023. New accounts filed with Companies House also show that Clarks’ headcount fell from [...]
Wimbledon: Strawberry merch drives sales increase at All England Club June 30, 2025 Wimbledon may be famous for its strawberries but it’s not the edible variety that is boosting profits at the All England Club as it prepares for the annual deluge of tennis fans over the coming fortnight. Championship chiefs have sought to capitalise on the seasonal red fruit’s place in the quintessential Wimbledon experience with a [...]