‘A beneficiary of recent UK economic malaise’: Pawnbrokers are still doing well. July 23, 2024 Britain’s biggest pawnbroker H&T reported strong sales in line with expectations for the first six months of the year despite improving an economic climate in the UK. The value of H&T’s pledge book, which tracks short term loans via the pawnbroker, increased by four per cent to reach £105m in the first half of the [...]
Grocers vs bargain chains: Discount competition is heating up July 23, 2024 The discount sector is crowded and competitive: Aldi, Lidl, Poundland and B&M are only a few of the retailers vying for space. The market for discount goods has been growing over the last few years, but not every company has been a winner – only a few stores have managed to attract and keep customers. [...]
LVMH-backed L Catterton, the new owner of Bicester Village is one of the world’s biggest retail investors July 22, 2024 Silver Bidco, a newly-formed Jersey-based vehicle of L Catterton, has bought Hammerson's stake in Value Retail, the owner of Bicester Village.
Brand Architekts: Skinny Tan owner inks new deals with Holland & Barrett and Boots July 22, 2024 Brand Architekts, the beauty specialist behind British brands including Skinny Tan and Super Facialist has signed new deals with big name retailers including Asda, Holland & Barrett and Boots to its distributor list, as it continues to battle "challenging" conditions.
Elite athletes transform communities – this Labour government must invest after Paris 2024 July 22, 2024 These are the people you don’t recall when you become an elite athlete. But publicly funding elite athletes, including those at Paris 2024, is good for us all.
Consumer confidence hit highest level in three years July 19, 2024 Consumer confidence has risen to its highest level in three years in a tentative sign that the economy is leaving the cost-of-living crisis behind, new data from Deloitte shows. In its latest quarterly Consumer Tracker survey, Deloitte found that sentiment grew by 6.8 per cent year on year, boosted by a significant improvement in sentiment [...]
Even as sales slump, Jonathan Akeroyd leaves Burberry a stronger brand July 18, 2024 As Akeroyd leaves the famous fashion brand, Steve Hatch unpacks the data asking: Is Burberry throwing the baby out with the bathwater?
King’s Speech: From no-fault evictions to having a pet, here’s what Labour’s Renters’ Reform Bill will do July 17, 2024 Labour’s Renters’ Reform Bill will introduce significant changes to rented housing in England and Wales, including on no-fault evictions and having a pet. Legislation will be introduced “to give greater rights and protections to people renting their homes”, including “ending no-fault evictions and reforming grounds for possession”, King Charles said. The bill started life under [...]
Revenue at B&M continues to rise as Brits seek out bargains July 16, 2024 B&M has reported another strong set of results for the first quarter, as the group has maintained its post-pandemic edge. Revenues at the bargain chain, which also owns Heron Foods, rose by 2.4 per cent to £1.3bn in the first quarter of the year. The group remained on track to open 45 gross new store [...]
Court of Appeal overturns VAT obligation to taxi fares in Uber case July 15, 2024 Court has overturned a landmark ruling that for all private hire journeys outside of London should be paying VAT, a ruling that will be seen as a win for the taxi industry