Consumer fatigue slows retail sales growth August 10, 2021 Signs of fatigue among consumers after the initial burst in spending triggered by the gradual easing of Covid restrictions are starting to emerge, according to new figures released today. Research from the British Retail Consortium and KPMG show retail sales jumped 9.8 per cent in July compared to the same period in 2019, before the [...]
‘Hard’ assets in demand: Deals by City’s distressed private equity funds treble to £1.8bn in just one year May 9, 2022 The leading mid-tier distressed asset private equity and debt funds in the UK made a total of £1.8bn of acquisitions of businesses last year, almost treble the £670m registered in 2020 and the highest figure for five years. The 12 specialist funds acquired 26 UK businesses in 2021, up from 19 the previous year. There [...]
British firms brace to unleash wave of investment in 2022 January 10, 2022 British businesses are preparing to unleash a wave of investment over the next year, reveals a fresh study published today. A record proportion of finance chiefs at the UK’s top firms are intending on ramping up capital spending in the next 12 months, according to research carried out by consultancy Deloitte. Over one in three [...]
London house prices grow in December with UK homes falling, but 2023 set to bring good news for property owners January 6, 2023 London’s average property price grew by almost 3 per cent, while the average UK home fell 1.5 per cent between November and December 2022. The average property actually rose two per cent when compared with the same month in 2021, according to the latest Halifax house price data, while annual rate of house price growth [...]
All countries to be removed from red list confirms Shapps October 28, 2021 Transport secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed that all remaining countries on the UK Government’s red travel list will be removed from 1 November at 4am, putting an end to quarantine hotels. The list – which was amended on 7 October – included Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. “We can also [...]
Gatwick reduces pandemic losses following strong end to 2021 March 9, 2022 Gatwick has reported that despite ever-changing travel restrictions, the last few months of 2021 helped the airport reduce its annual losses by 25.6 per cent. In the year ended 31 December, the London hub shrank its pandemic-induced losses from £465.5m to £370.6m, while its EBITDA remained at a negative £26.3m because of the reduced passenger [...]
Covid unlocking fuels sales growth at Ten Entertainment July 7, 2021 Robust consumer spending and the release of pent-up demand after the lifting of Covid restrictions fuelled sales growth at bowling and family entertainment provider Ten Entertainment. Total sales growth since reopening on 17 May has been robust, up 27.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2019 – before the pandemic. Read more: Consumer [...]
Backing the central bank pivot is a risky bet October 25, 2022 It is easy to criticise central banks for heaping pain on households and businesses. But, this is exactly what they are supposed to do under current economic conditions. Inflation in the UK, US and eurozone has hit 10.1 per cent, 8.2 per cent and 9.9 per cent respectively, all historic highs. The Bank of England [...]
Average UK property almost £30,000 more expensive than a year ago as house prices accelerate March 2, 2022 The average UK house price has topped £260,000 for first time, after surging by nearly £30,000 over the past 12 months. The typical property value reached £260,230 in February, Nationwide Building Society said. In cash terms, the average house price in February was £29,162 higher than a year earlier, the biggest annual cash increase the [...]
Graft Polymer to list on London Stock Exchange December 22, 2021 Graft Polymer has announced its intention to list on the London Stock Exchange, where it will look to trade on the main market for listed securities.