The changing face of income January 8, 2020 Henderson High Income Trust celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019, having launched in 1989. This was the same year that Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. Given Henderson High Income provides shareholder with a high dividend income by predominately investing in UK companies, this article looks at how the internet has led the UK market [...]
Christmas supermarket sales growth slows to four-year low January 7, 2020 Supermarket sales growth over the Christmas period slowed to the lowest rate in four years as shoppers watched their budgets over the festive period. Retailers reported sales of £29.3bn, up £50m on last year, however growth slumped to the lowest rate since 2015. Read more: Morrisons sales fall in ‘unusually challenging Christmas period’ Year-on-year supermarket [...]
Aldi Christmas revenue tops £1bn but growth slows January 6, 2020 German discount retailer Aldi said today that its Christmas sales increased 7.9 per cent year-on-year to break £1bn for the first time. The supermarket chain said its sales in the four weeks ended Christmas eve were driven by strong growth in beers, wines and spirits, its premium Specially Selected range and fresh meat. Total beers, [...]
UK High Street sees slight increase in December sales January 4, 2020 UK shops saw a marginal increase in December sales year-on-year driven by widespread discounting, a new survey revealed on Saturday. Sales in British shops were up 0.7 per cent for the month compared with 2018, according to the accountancy and business advisory firm BDO’s monthly High Street Sales Tracker. Read more: Next raises forecast after [...]
China denies forced labour accusations after Tesco Christmas card discovery December 23, 2019 China has denied accusations of forced labour at a prison in Shanghai after a Christmas card sold at Tesco was reportedly found containing a message from an inmate. Six-year-old Florence Widdicombe in London discovered a note in charity card sold at the supermarket saying “We are foreign prisoners in Shanghai Qingpu Prison China”. Read more: [...]
Five people sentenced to death for Jamal Khashoggi killing December 23, 2019 Saudi Arabia has sentenced five people to death over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in October 2018. The kingdom’s public prosecutor also handed out three people jail terms totalling 24 years over the killing of the journalist. Read more: China to cut tariffs on hundreds of products Khashoggi was a US [...]
Tesco withdraws Christmas cards from sale over forced labour claims December 22, 2019 Tesco has suspended a Chinese Christmas card supplier following reports a customer found a message written inside a card saying it had been packed by foreign prisoners who were victims of forced labour. “We abhor the use of prison labour and would never allow it in our supply chain,” a Tesco spokesperson said on Sunday. Read more: Tesco [...]
City Moves for 19 December – Who’s switching jobs at Turley, Johns & Co and Ashtead? December 19, 2019 Today’s City Moves includes Turley, Johns & Co and Ashtead. Turley Catriona Fraser has been promoted to director in the London team at national planning and development consultancy Turley. Catriona has been involved in several high-profile projects for Turley across London. She has advised on a number of key London development sites for mixed-use alternative [...]
Ofcom to ban firms from selling ‘locked’ mobile phones December 17, 2019 Communications regulator Ofcom has proposed a new set of plans which would prevent phone companies from selling ‘locked’ handsets. BT/EE, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone still sell mobile phones that cannot be used on other networks without being unlocked first, which can cost £10. Read more: MPs say hands-free phones should be banned while driving The [...]
Takeover interest mounts over Sainsbury’s £1.9bn mortgage book December 12, 2019 Grocery giant Sainsbury’s has reportedly received several offers for its £1.9bn mortgage book. The Big Four supermarket chain has attracted a number of bidders as it looks to quit the home-loans market, according to Sky News. The broadcaster said that Lloyds Banking Group is understood to be among the interested parties in the auction, which [...]