British Airways succeeds Jaguar in public spotlight after rewards changes January 2, 2025 British Airways has become the latest household name to incur the wrath of a high-profile public backlash in the wake of its decision to significantly change its rewards scheme for loyal customers. The airline revealed earlier this week that it was changing its tiering system for rewards to be based on spend and upped how [...]
Manufacturing downturn deepens as firms brace for national insurance rise January 2, 2025 Activity in the UK’s manufacturing sector fell to its lowest level in nearly a year, a new survey shows, as businesses brace for the impact of the government’s first Budget. According to S&P’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI), factory output, new orders and employment, all fell at accelerated rates in December. This pushed the overall [...]
Teesworks shareholders get huge pay day as turnover and profit plummet January 2, 2025 Shareholders in the controversial Teesworks development in the North East have received a bumper pay day despite profit and turnover plummeting at the controversial site. The site has been in the headlines since the company behind the scheme became the target of a government investigation in the wake of 90 per cent of its ownership [...]
Abel & Cole owner enters the red as it battles cost-of-living crisis January 2, 2025 The owner of organic vegetables box business Abel & Cole fell into the red despite sales increasing as it battled the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. William Jackson Food Group, which acquired Abel & Cole in 2012, has reported a pre-tax loss of £1.5m for the year to 27 April, 2024. The loss comes after the [...]
Lenovo UK sales near £1bn amid Huawei retreat January 2, 2025 Sales at the UK arm of Chinese technology giant Lenovo jumped closer to the £1bn mark during its latest financial year. The division has reported a turnover of £982.8m for the 12 months to 31 March, 2024, up from the £969.3m it generated in the prior year. Newly-filed accounts with Companies House also show that [...]
Gary Neville’s hotel makes huge loss after Tom Kerridge closure January 2, 2025 A hotel owned by Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs slumped further into the red after the closure of Tom Kerridge’s restaurant, it has been revealed. The Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester city centre has also posted falling sales despite the publicity it received after Madonna booked the entire hotel out while she was performing in [...]
Record profit for Totally Wicked ahead of single-use vapes ban as sales double in two years January 2, 2025 Profit at Totally Wicked has surged to a new record level ahead of the sale of single-use disposable vapes being banned in England and Wales later this year. The Lancashire-headquartered has reported a pre-tax profit of £8.1m for the 12 months to 31 March, 2024, up from the £3.3m it posted for the prior year. [...]
Where did UK house prices rise fastest in 2024? January 2, 2025 Nationwide's house price index showed that house prices rose 4.7 per cent over the year-to-December. Across 2023 house prices fell 1.8 per cent, according to the building society.
Retailers get festive boost as more people head to shops January 2, 2025 There was an increase in the number of people who headed to the shops in December amid fears retailers face uncertain times after the festive season, analysts say. The 7.1 per cent increase in footfall in December from November is the greatest month-on-month rise since an 8.7 per cent jump was recorded in the same [...]
Thames Water to avoid state bailout, the FTSE 100 at 7900 and an ITV bid: my predictions for UK plc in 2025 January 2, 2025 Predictions may generally be a mug’s game, but looking back at my forecasts for the business world in 2024, I seem to have fared better than usual. Klarna, the buy now pay later giant, opted for a New York listing; Dame Alison Rose made a comeback in a senior private equity role; Unilever announced that [...]