Wickes: Share price jumps as recovery gets underway January 28, 2025 Wickes has reported an uptick in the revenue for the second half of the year, driven by small retail purchases and lower losses in its installation segment. The company’s share rose more than 10 per cent in early trades. Revenue at the home improvement firm rose by 1.8 per cent in the six months ending [...]
Jollyes: Pets at Home rival to lower 3,000 prices and open new stores January 28, 2025 Pet superstore chain Jollyes has revealed plans to lower thousands of prices and open new stores across the UK. The retailer, which is a major rival to Pets at Home, has also announced a range of new benefits for its employees in a bid to attract new talent. The news comes almost a year after [...]
Brits warned to brace for higher alcohol prices from next week January 28, 2025 On February 1 new duty rates on wine and spirits will come into force, meaning a rise in price for most alcohol. Under a new sliding system of duties, wine with a higher abv (alcohol by volume) will see the biggest price increase, with the duty on a 14.5 per cent abv wine to rise [...]
Food prices set to rise ‘across the board’ as inflation fears build January 28, 2025 The BRC's shop price index showed that food prices rose 0.5 per cent month-on-month, up from 0.1 per cent in December
WH Smith pursuing sale of high street business January 25, 2025 WH Smith is in talks to sell its high street arm, as the £1.5bn company looks to focus entirely on its travel retail business. The company’s high street operation is made up of about 500 stores, employing around 5,000 people. “WH Smith confirms that it is exploring potential strategic options for this profitable and cash [...]
City broker slashes price target for Primark-owner Associated British Foods January 24, 2025 Analysts at Panmure Liberum downgraded their rating for Primark-owner Associated British Foods from ‘Buy’ to ‘Hold’ after Primark underperformed over the festive quarter. Panmure downgraded its target price for ABF to 1900p from 2800p. Its share price currently sits at 1,892.50p after falling five per cent in the last five days. Associated British Foods reduced [...]
The Works: Arts and crafts retailer slashes losses as new strategy unveiled January 24, 2025 High street arts and crafts retailer The Works reported a significant improvement in profitability for the first half of its financial year, as it unveiled a new strategy. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) showed a market improvement, with losses narrowing from £8.5m to £2.8m since the same period last year. Adjusted [...]
Burberry: Shares spike as luxury giant’s transformation shows green shoots January 24, 2025 British luxury brand Burberry has reported a boost in demand for its core products after implementing a wide-ranging turnaround plan, although overall revenue has continued to fall. The company’s share price rose more than 14 per cent in early trades. Total retail revenue in the 13 weeks ended December 28 fell seven per cent, from [...]
UK economy: ‘Consumers see dark days ahead’ January 24, 2025 GfK's overall consumer confidence index fell to -22, which was down five points on December and put confidence at its lowest level since the end of 2023.
Sainsbury’s to axe 3,000 jobs and close all in-store cafes January 23, 2025 Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has confirmed plans to axe more than 3,000 roles as it prepares to close all its remaining in-store cafes. The major overhaul will cut two per cent of its current workforce, which stands at 148,000. The move will also make around 20 per cent of senior management roles at Sainsbury’s redundant. The [...]