Over 200,000 retail jobs to go in 2025 as ‘permacrisis’ takes hold December 30, 2024 Over 200,000 retail jobs are set to disappear next year, along with over 17,000 stores, as the sector’s decade-long crisis continues, according to a top retail body. Online shopping, a Covid-19 hangover and high taxes are compounding a problem that began with the financial crisis in 2008, according to the Centre for Retail Research (CRR). [...]
Retail insolvencies set to surge as Budget bites, experts warn December 30, 2024 A wave of insolvencies could be coming to the retail and hospitality sectors next year as businesses crumble under the tax bill brought on by Labour’s Budget, bosses have warned. Insolvencies and restructuring could rise further over the start of 2025 as firms face increased cost pressures, industry experts have said, with the retail, hospitality [...]
Geopolitics, property and the London marketplace: Here’s what’s in store for insurance next year December 30, 2024 Insurance market in 2024 was defined by record floods and soaring premiums. So what are expects predicting for 2025?
Last orders: Pubs call for action as locals close across the country December 30, 2024 A top pub group has called for “swift and meaningful” reform to business rates today after new figures showed the number of boozers in England and Wales fell below 39,000 for the first time this year. According to official Government statistics, analysed by commercial real estate specialists at Altus Group, 412 pubs were either demolished [...]
Finance bosses optimistic about Labour plans to cut red tape December 30, 2024 A KPMG survey found seven in 10 financial services bosses think the policies will help attract foreign investment into the sector.
Small businesses gear up for growth despite Budget pressures December 29, 2024 Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are gearing up for expansion in 2025 despite fears about the state of the economy. In a survey of over 2,000 SMEs conducted directly after Labour’s Autumn Budget, 81 per cent said they were confident their business would grow next year, with confidence among those employing more than 50 [...]
The three sport business trends you need to watch in 2025 December 27, 2024 Every other prediction piece you’ll read, across any industry, will attempt to explain what the impact of AI will be on that sector over the coming year. Most answers will be variations on Hemingway’s theme. AI will end up taking over. Gradually and then suddenly. So, to avoid giving the likes of Chat GPT too [...]
UK retail sector faces mounting pressures after Budget, warns Begbies Traynor December 27, 2024 UK retailers in critical financial distress has surged by more than 25 per cent, marked by weaker-than-expected retail sales and Budget uncertainty
Direct Line agrees £3.7bn Aviva takeover December 23, 2024 Direct Line’s board has agreed to accept Aviva’s £3.7bn takeover of the insurer, bringing to an end the firm’s run as an independent company. In a stock exchange announcement this morning, Direct Line’s board endorsed Aviva’s latest £3.7bn offer for the business. Under the terms of the deal, shareholders will receive 0.2867 Aviva shares, along [...]
Lucy Powell says she understands public’s frustration with Labour in office December 22, 2024 The state of the economy is “disappointing” and people’s frustrations with Labour’s performance in office are understandable, a Cabinet minister has acknowledged. Commons Leader Lucy Powell insisted the Government was turning the situation around but accepted she wanted to see economic improvements faster. She defended the “difficult decisions” taken by the Government, saying “we didn’t [...]