Poundland sales resilient as shoppers more familiar with discount brands versus 2008 July 14, 2022 Poundland’s owner has reiterated its confident outlook, encouraged by the size of the discount market across Europe amid present economic turmoil. In a third quarter trading update, Pepco posted group revenues of €1.2bn, with year-to-date sales hitting €3.5m. The retailer, which also owns the Dealz and Pepco brands in Europe, said Poundland like-for-like sales had [...]
Holiday Inn chief steps down as group sees bookings hike despite ‘economic tailwinds’ May 5, 2023 The chief of Holiday Inn owner International Continental Hotels (IHG) is to step down from the helm after nearly six years. Keith Barr, group chief executive officer of the global hotel chain will be succeeded by Elie Maalouf, who currently heads up its American operations. Barr has worked within the brand for almost 14 years, [...]
Berkeley Group’s belief in London is ‘resolute’ despite pandemic hit December 4, 2020 Berkeley Group has reaffirmed its commitment to London even as its profits took a hit from pandemic uncertainty. Chief executive Rob Perrins said the company’s “belief in London and our developmetn approach is resolute” as it reported its interim results. The company has acquired three sites in London this year – Borough Triangle in Southwark, [...]
‘No discernible sign’ of spending slowdown for betting titan Flutter amid cost of living crunch August 12, 2022 Gaming brands operator Flutter has said it has not yet seen any big shift in consumer spending, amid historically high levels of inflation. In interim results for the year, the FanDuel and Sportsbet said there had been “no discernible signs of a consumer slow down currently” as the second-half of the year progresses. The company [...]
UK retail sales grow for fourth consecutive month September 18, 2020 UK retail sales reached pre-pandemic levels last month, driven by supermarket and home improvement purchases. Retail sales were up 0.8 per cent in August compared to the previous month, which was the fourth consecutive month of growth. UK retail sales were up four per cent compared to February, before the coronavirus pandemic hit the country. [...]
Debate: Will digital retailers continue to hoover up high street chains? January 27, 2021 Boohoo’s purchase of the Debenhams brand, and Asos’ pursuit of Topshop, suggests that the online revolution has very much succeeded. But is it that simple? Vicky Bullen, CEO, Coley Porter Bell says YES You don’t have to be Mike Ashley to spot the enormous opportunity in online retail since the coronavirus pandemic hit. Never before [...]
Thames Water crisis – what next: More sewage, higher bills and possible collapse March 28, 2024 Thames Water is in yet another crisis after shareholders denied it vital cash. The outcome? More sewage in Britain's rivers.
Bloomsbury says increased reading here to stay as Harry Potter publisher eyes £240m yearly sales July 20, 2022 London publishing house Bloomsbury has said it is confident a new cohort of book lovers are here to stay, posting elevated growth for the year so far. The Covid-19 pandemic inspired many consumers to pick up paperbacks, with lockdown giving rise to TikTok reading trends. According to the Harry Potter publisher, increased reading is “here [...]
Budget 2021: Four key issues for Rishi Sunak today March 3, 2021 Just a few months ago, Chancellor Rishi Sunak had hoped that his spring budget would be an opportunity to move the economic agenda away from Covid-19, and back towards the government’s ‘levelling up’ commitment. But as he prepares to announce his latest set of measures on later today, the reality looks very different. Despite the good [...]
Why the government must give more support to London’s hospitality sector October 1, 2020 Hospitality and tourism have felt the force of Covid-19 like no other sector. Green shoots started to emerge during the summer months, as Eat Out to Help Out, a staycation boom and the warm weather put much-needed cash in the registers of hotels and restaurants across the UK. While London remained quiet, there was some [...]