High street struggles: 2,000 local stores, pubs and hairdressers wiped away this year September 21, 2023 Nearly 2,000 independent local stores were left vacant in the first half of this year, as the cost of living crisis continues to eat away at the health of the high street and small businesses. Some 1,915 independent businesses on high streets, retail parks and shopping centres closed in the first leg of this year, marking [...]
DFS profits halved as sofa maker is battered by ‘tough economic climate’ September 21, 2023 Sofa seller DFS saw annual profits almost cut in half, sliding to £29.7m from £58.5m a year earlier, as the retailer was battered by economic conditions. Revenue from operations fell 5.3 per cent to £1.09bn in the year to June 25, with the group blaming soaring inflation. Chief executive Tim Stacey said that the company [...]
FCA warns insurance firms to make sure they are offering fair value September 20, 2023 The City regulator has given firms producing a type of add-on insurance to motor cover an ultimatum to demonstrate they are providing fair value.
Braverman: ‘We are not going to save the planet by bankrupting the country’ September 20, 2023 Home Secretary Suella Braverman has backed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's reported decision to row back on pledged green commitments.
Hargreaves Lansdown profits surge despite ‘challenging’ conditions spooking investors September 19, 2023 Hargreaves Lansdown topped the City’s profit predictions for the year today despite “challenging” market conditions triggering a sharp fall in the amount of cash flowing into its platform over the past 12 months.
Ocado: Signs of progress at last as firm looks to continue share price turnaround September 19, 2023 Upmarket grocer Ocado has reported a 7.2 per cent surge in revenues to £569.6m in the third quarter as turnaround plans under the guidance of its year old chief executive appear to show signs of paying off. The digital supermarket, which operates as a joint venture with M&S, said the average orders per week at [...]
Urgent reform needed to restore trust in UK constitution, warn think tanks September 19, 2023 An urgent reset is required in order to restore trust in the UK’s constitution, two top think tanks have warned. Faith in Britain’s political system has been shaken after a “tumultuous” string of events — from the Brexit process, the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis — a report by the Institute for [...]
Frasers: Chief calls for reform of ‘outdated’ business rates regime September 18, 2023 The boss of Frasers Group, Michael Murray, has described the business rates regime as a “disaster” and urged the government to overhaul the system.
Bitcoin can surely be a beacon of hope in a society seemingly on the brink of collapse September 18, 2023 Susie Violet Ward believes Bitcoin offers not just a glimmer of hope but a tangible solution to the problems that ail our society.
London Design District launches flagship building in welcomed boost for capital’s creative sector September 18, 2023 London’s Design District has launched a spectacular new space for smaller businesses at the heart of its Greenwich hub