Sales skyrocket at London Waterloo after biggest ever Wetherspoons opens December 19, 2024 Sales at London Waterloo shops have soared to the top of a leader-board of Britain’s busiest train stations, following the opening of the UK’s largest ever railway station Wetherspoons. The London hub reported the most quarterly sales growth of any of the 19 stations Network Rail runs in the UK, up 47 per cent year-on-year, [...]
Shops being ‘thwacked by colossal’ employment costs December 18, 2024 Business rates rises totalling £7.6m are being faced by shops in Scotland when the new tax year starts, according to new figures. A total of 4,520 shops liable for the intermediate and higher property rates will experience an increase in their rates bills, according to information obtained by Conservative MSP Craig Hoy and published by [...]
B&Q owner Kingfisher sells underperforming Romanian arm December 18, 2024 Kingfisher has agreed to sell its Brico Dépôt Romania business for £58m to Altex Romania. The sale, which is expected to be completed in the first half of the next financial year, comprises the entire Brico Dépôt Romania business, including its network of 31 stores in 24 cities, distribution operations, and head office in Bucharest. It [...]
Inflation spike ‘raises questions’ over health of UK economy December 18, 2024 The spike in inflation to 2.6 per cent today has raised questions about the health of the UK economy, according to analysts. The news comes ahead of the Bank of England’s meeting to decide the path of interest rates tomorrow, with markets agreeing that combined with higher-than-expected wage growth yesterday, a cut is off the [...]
Exclusive Neil Woodford interview: who he blames for his fund’s collapse December 17, 2024 In his first interview in years, former star manager Neil Woodford makes it clear where he believes the blame for his collapsed fund lies.
Where’s the Christmas spirit? Gin and beer demand slumps this year December 16, 2024 Demand for spirits and beer has sagged this year as Brits opted for healthier and cheaper alternatives to their traditional tipple, according to new data. A combination of the cost-of-living crisis and government hikes on alcohol duty have pushed some bottles out of reach, with 10 per cent tax hikes pushing up the price of [...]
Revolut investors cash in with $1bn share sale December 16, 2024 Backers of Revolut have offloaded just shy of $1bn worth of stock in the neobank in just four months, after it extended its secondary share sale for the second time earlier this month. The investors, which largely comprise staff, venture capital backers and crowdfunding round participants, have looked to cash in on parts of their [...]
UK inflation expected to rise again in fresh blow to Labour December 16, 2024 Official data this week is expected to show inflation moved further away from the Bank of England's two per cent target in November, dealing another blow to the government after a contraction in GDP.
Boohoo’s money troubles increase as bidder for London office walks away December 15, 2024 Boohoo has suffered another financial setback after an Israeli bidder pulled out of talks to buy its London office. The company was set to sell its Soho office for £60m to cover a looming debt repayment of £47m due in August 2025. The fast-fashion company bought the property for £72m in 2021. The news comes [...]
In The Style cuts job as sales continue to fall ahead of stock exchange return December 12, 2024 In The Style slashed jobs in a bid to stem its losses amid continuing falling sales as its return to the London Stock Exchange edges nearer. The Manchester-headquartered fast-fashion retailer has posted a pre-tax loss of £2.6m for the year to 31 March, 2024, down from the £7.7m loss it reported in the prior 12 [...]