Why are convenience stores all the rage? August 22, 2024 Earlier this week, Waitrose became the latest UK grocer to announce a big push into the convenience store market. The supermarket giant will open 100 stores in the next five years as part of a $1bn investment plan. Waitrose follows Asda, Morrisons (with its McColl’s estate), Tesco, Sainsbury’s and the Co-op in ploughing ahead with [...]
Range of 30 low-cost items increase in price by 17 per cent in last year – ONS October 25, 2022 A range of 30 every-day low-cost items have increased in price by 17 per cent in the last year, new figures have revealed. Data from the Office for National Statistics show a range of products went up considerably over the 12 months to September, as the cost of living continues to bite. Items including vegetable [...]
The newest front in the US-China trade war? Japanese fish. October 30, 2023 The US-China trade war has an unlikely new flashpoint: where the US sources fish for its military stationed in Japan
Waitrose admits it signed deals with landlords to block rivals from opening nearby stores September 2, 2022 Waitrose has admitted to signing deals with landlords halting other supermarkets from opening nearby for a decade, following a probe by the UK competition watchdog. The supermarket, which is owned by the John Lewis Partnership, has said it has re-written property deals for numerous sites to allay competition concerns. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) [...]
Will TSB be the next challenger bank to go up for sale? May 20, 2024 A potential sale of TSB Bank is back in focus as its Spanish parent company Sabadell grapples with a rare hostile takeover attempt by larger domestic rival BBVA.
Co-operative Bank posts profitability for fifth quarter in a row May 5, 2022 The Co-operative Bank has achieved profitability for its fifth quarter in a row, after posting pre-tax profits of £30.5m. The Manchester headquartered bank said its profits had increased for the fourth consecutive quarter, as its earnings were bolstered by its mortgage business. The bank said its net income had increased 36 per cent year-on-year [...]
Mark Kleinman: Will Barclays be able to explain their backing for Staley? November 4, 2021 Sky News’ Mark Kleinman is the man the City reads – and in his fortnightly column for City A.M., he shares his insight and analysis. Barclays in the headlines again What is it about Barclays and rough-Diamond bosses? In the end, the surprise was not so much that Jes Staley left the British bank mired [...]
Six high-street banks including Santander, Barclays, HSBC, NatWest and Lloyds given ‘red’ warning over eco policies October 5, 2023 Six of the UK’s biggest high-street banks have been placed in a “red” warning category by consumer champion Which? over their fossil fuel investments and commitments to tackling climate change. JP Morgan Chase, Santander, Barclays, HSBC, NatWest Group and Lloyds Banking Group were exposed for having too weak green credentials. Just three of the UK’s [...]
Co-op Bank losses deepen amid tougher mortgage competition February 27, 2020 The Co-operative Bank has reported an increased pre-tax loss for 2019, as the high street lender struggled with tough mortgage competition and PPI compensation payouts. The figures Co-op Bank posted a loss before tax of £152.1m for 2019, an eight per cent rise on the £140.7m recorded the previous year. It said that its underlying [...]
Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Greggs join forces to lobby Sunak to slash business rates May 3, 2022 Supermarket giants have reiterated calls for a cut in business rates as firms endeavour to keep prices competitive for shoppers amid rising inflation. Big names including Morrisons and Co-op have come together under a new Cut the Shops Tax campaign, organised by the Retail Jobs Alliance. In a joint letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, bosses [...]