Brighton Pier Group’s share price plummets as rail strikes hit footfall Leisure Brighton Pier Group’s share price nosedived over nine per cent today after it revealed that strike action on the UK’s rail network had hit the firm’s revenues. In the six months to July, total revenues for the group, which manages the iconic pier, were £16.2m, down from £17.3m for the same period last year. The [...]
Lib Dems chase ‘blue wall’ voters by scrapping plan to raise income tax by 1p UK Politics The Liberal Democrats have dropped their plans to raise income tax by 1p in a bid to woo Conservative voters in so-called blue wall seats during the cost of living crisis. Leader Sir Ed Davey told the BBC he ruled out tax rises even on the wealthiest as his party seeks to target former Tories [...]
Aldi throws £1.4bn into expansion as discount grocer enjoys record sales Aldi German discounter Aldi will invest £1.4bn over two years to support its expansion plans, as customers seeking out cheaper groceries continues to be a boon for the business. The value supermarket revealed today that its annual sales increased by a whopping £2bn to £15.5bn in the year to December, a record for the store in [...]
Retailers put all their chips on inflation cooling during golden Christmas run-up September 22, 2023 A better than expected inflation reading, and growing consumer confidence and sales, have offered a glimmer of hope for the UK’s retail sector, as they turn their focus to the vital Christmas trading months. According to today’s ONS figures, retail sales volumes rose by 0.4 per cent in August 2023, partially recovering from a fall [...]
Consumer confidence continues to rise amid cost-of-living woes September 22, 2023 Consumer confidence is continuing to rise against a backdrop of falling inflation – but many households are continuing to struggle with cost-of-living pressures, according to a survey. GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased four points in September, but remains at a subdued minus 21. Expectations for the UK’s wider economy over the next 12 months [...]
Retail sales show signs of recovery after summer washout September 22, 2023 Retail sales volumes rose by 0.4 per cent in August 2023, partially recovering from a fall of 1.1 per cent in July 2023, new government figures show. Non-food stores sales volumes grew by 0.6 per cent in August 2023, following a fall of 1.2 per cent in July 2023 when unseasonable rainy weather drove shoppers [...]
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 [...]
Christmas cheer not enough to save pubs from winter pain, sector warns September 21, 2023 A festive boost in trading this Christmas will not be enough to save the UK pubs industry, sector heads have warned.
Wilko: Union calls for former boss to face MPs over £56m pension pot hole September 20, 2023 The union representing Wilko workers called for Lisa Wilkinson to answer questions about a £53m hole in its pension pot.
How Brits (and businesses) fell in love with the humble retail park September 20, 2023 On the outskirts of every bustling town and city lies the reliable, yet boring, retail park. But, as dull as they may be, retail parks are having their moment in the sun.