Next hikes targets as heatwave boosts sales Retail Next has upgraded its profit targets for the year after breezing past second quarter expectations, putting its shareholders in line for a bumper payday. The FTSE 100 retail giant hiked its pre-tax profit expectations for 2026 to £1.24bn, around £25m higher than previously estimates. If achieved the figure would mark 7.3 per cent growth on [...]
Next and Frasers go head to head for control of Harvey Nichols Retail Retail giants Next and Frasers are set to go head to head for control of ailing department store Harvey Nichols when the Hong Kong-owned firm takes bids from British suitors later on Tuesday. The Knightsbridge-headquartered department store chain was put up for sale last month by its owner, Hong Kong billionaire Sir Dickson Poon, and [...]
EY and London managing partner fined over £1.3m for audit failure Big Four Big Four giant EY and its London office managing partner have been hit with a nearly £1.3m fine by the financial watchdog for audit failings related to retailer Made.com in 2021. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said the sanction follows an investigation into Julie Carlyle, who manages the City office and a portfolio of many [...]
Starmer’s final act will expose firms to more bogus equality claims July 16, 2026 In his final days, Keir Starmer has opened the door to employees being able to challenge pay differences between entirely different jobs if predominantly staffed by people of different races, and a tribunal determines those – entirely different jobs – to be of ‘equal value’. says Tom Harwood As Keir Starmer bows out after two [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers muscles in on Harvey Nichols sale July 14, 2026 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has gatecrashed the sales process for Harvey Nichols, defying the initial objections of the luxury department store’s brand partners. The fashion group, founded by billionaire Ashley, has successfully entered into the auction for the high-end retail group after demanding it be allowed to take part, City AM understands. Harvey Nichols had [...]
FCA charges City lawyer with insider dealing over maternity brand acquisition July 8, 2026 The financial watchdog has charged a City lawyer with five counts of alleged insider dealing for trading in the assets of maternity fashion brand Seraphine Group using confidential information he gained while working on the company’s acquisition. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said Richard Bloomfield, 38, worked on an acquisition of the City-based maternity clothing company [...]
It’s time to scrap the Equality Act June 17, 2026 Pernicious New Labour legislation is distorting the jobs market and costing business, says Joe Dinnage It’s a golden rule of good writing to invoke George Orwell as little as possible. Chronically overused, the term ‘Orwellian’ is to newspaper columnists what ‘obviously’ is to football pundits. Occasionally, however, rules must be broken. We at the Prosperity [...]
Co-Op and Next among firms launching workplace savings scheme June 16, 2026 A new employer-led coalition designed to help workers build emergency savings and boost financial resilience has launched, urging employees to save regularly in order to avoid unexpected financial storms. The National Coalition for Workplace Savings was launched on Tuesday, representing firms across a range of sectors including retail, hospitality and transport, all urging employees to [...]
More than 80 retail bosses urge Starmer to tackle youth unemployment crisis June 10, 2026 More than 80 retail bosses have called on the Prime Minister to set out urgent measures to tackle youth unemployment, warning that the “ladder of opportunity for young people is wobbling”. The chiefs of leading retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and John Lewis have called on Sir Keir Starmer to safeguard the position of retail as [...]
Retailers ramp up pressure on Reeves to scrap tax break for e-commerce rivals May 27, 2026 Retailers have urged Rachel Reeves to “revitalise the high street” by speeding up plans to close a tax break which they say unfairly favours Chinese e-commerce rivals. High street giants like Next, M&S and Primark have urged the Chancellor to impose a £2.60 flat fee on small parcels to rebalance a system which they say [...]