At the open: Strong FTSE 100 highlights wider Brexit fears July 6, 2016 Financial markets appear to be getting themselves into a bit of a pattern in the wake of the EU referendum. As sterling moves one way (down, inevitably), the FTSE 100 moves in the other. This morning is no different. After a small hiccup at the open, London's leading benchmark rose 0.4 per cent to 6,570, [...]
Tesco is opening a pop-up wine bar in Soho on Wardour Street this summer June 29, 2016 It might not be what you'd normally expect from a visit to Tesco, but this summer for the first time you will be able to visit the supermarket giant's first pop-up wine bar nestled in the heart of Soho. The finest* wine bar, tied into the grocer's Tesco Finest* range, will be open from 2 [...]
Does the acquisition of Harris and Hoole from Tesco mean Caffe Nero is entering a new era? June 29, 2016 Last week's announcement that Caffe Nero has acquired in-supermarket coffee chain Harris and Hoole from Tesco sent a strong signal that the brand is committed to modernisation. This is vital in a market where casual dining brands have to fight huge levels of competition and a fast-moving, fickle audience base that will often be swayed by promotions and [...]
Nurofen is the most overpriced over-the-counter medicine, while branded drugs are three times more expensive than their generic counterparts June 29, 2016 It's enough to give you a headache. If you thought you'd been short-changed by the cost of painkillers last time you had a cold, or by hayfever tablets as soon as spring came, you were probably right. Branded medication costs on average nearly three times as much as generic equivalents that do exactly the same [...]
Retailers’ share prices are on the up as markets recover slightly June 28, 2016 Shares in retailers including Next, M&S and Associated British Food were on an upward trend this morning as stock markets recorded their first gains since the UK voted to leave the European Union. In morning trading, M&S' share price was up 5.10 per cent, Next's rose 8.40 per cent and Associated British Foods' shares climbed [...]
Here’s how the supermarkets were doing just before the Brexit vote June 28, 2016 In the immediate run-up to the EU referendum, supermarket sales were strong, according to data released today, but in the three month period before the vote, sales slipped. The figures from Nielsen show that in the four weeks ending 18 June, UK supermarkets had their first increase in year-on-year takings since July 2015. Sales were up 0.4 [...]
Over 50 business leaders have called for an “urgent” decision on airport expansion almost exactly a year after an official report lent its support to a new Heathrow runway June 27, 2016 Over 50 business leaders have called on the government to urgently make a decision on expansion of capacity at London's airports, a year after an official report backed a new runway at Heathrow. Prior to last week's Brexit vote, reports had suggested that a decision could be made as soon as 7 July. However, following [...]
Going, going, gone: Harris and Hoole sale marks end of Tesco ambitions June 23, 2016 First Giraffe, then Dobbies, now it's Harris and Hoole which Tesco has sold off in its efforts to get back to what it's good at (being a supermarket). The sale marks the last of the major assets that are not part of its core retailing to go, and a curtailing of previous ambitions to expand beyond [...]
EU referendum: Markets cast their votes early as sterling and FTSE 100 rally as polls open June 23, 2016 We may not know what the result of the referendum will be until the small hours, but the markets seem to understand which way the country is heading already. After polls last night showed a swing to Remain in the final days of campaigning, the pound rallied against the dollar, hitting its highest level of [...]
Tesco’s share price looks perky as company announces sale of Harris and Hoole coffee chain to Caffe Nero June 23, 2016 Supermarket chain Tesco is selling Harris and Hoole coffee chain to Caffe Nero, it said in its first quarter trading statement this morning. "Together, these sales allow us to place even greater focus on our core UK business," the company said. The retailer's share price was up by 2.82 per cent in early morning trading [...]