UK economy in ‘early stages of recovery’ as families shrug off inflation and interest rate hikes April 21, 2023 Britain’s economy could be in the early stages of a recovery, with consumers holding up pretty well under the pressure of high inflation and interest rate increases, a closely watched survey out today indicates. Families’ outlook on how well the economy will perform over the coming year is improving, while confidence in their own personal [...]
Virgin Wines: Share price falls and major review announced after Christmas ‘challenges’ drink into profits March 14, 2023 Virgin Wines‘ share price tumbled this morning as the online wine bank reveals it is undertaking a full review after a shift in consumer confidence which knocked profits in the first quarter. Shares in the online wine retailer slumped 1.50 per cent when the market opened this morning as the group revealed its profits before [...]
UK entertainment and media market tops European charts with £100bn revenue hit June 27, 2023 The UK’s entertainment and media market is expected to hit revenues of £100bn by 2027, according to PwC’s latest forecast. The accounting firm’s Global Entertainment & Media (E&M) Outlook 2023-2027 also expects the UK to cling onto its top position in Europe as the leading E&M market over the next four years. In 2023 the [...]
Next: Retail giant does it again with further profit guidance upgrade August 3, 2023 Next is upgrading its full year guidance for group profit before tax by £10m to £845m, following a strong performance in the second quarter helped by summer sales.
New car market has strongest February in 20 years as firms invest in fresh wheels March 5, 2024 The UK's new car market has recorded its best February in two decades, according to the latest date from the SMMT.
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 [...]
FTSE 100 today: London markets set to open higher on the heels of strong US tech earnings April 26, 2024 Asian stocks rallied alongside a strong tech sector fuelled by impressive US earnings. Bank of Japan maintained its short-term interest rate target at 0-0.1 per cent. Oil prices climbed, while Microsoft and Alphabet shares surged post-earnings beats. Investors await US inflation data and focus on ExxonMobil and NatWest earnings.
Persimmon slashes number of homes built as rate rise rattles business August 10, 2023 Persimmon has cut the number of homes it’s building by more than a third as the housebuilder faces up to rapidly rising mortgage rates and a slowdown in consumer confidence. The construction company built a total of 4,249 homes in the first half of the year down from 6,652 homes compared to the same period [...]
Eve Sleep hunting for new owner as mattress giant is in need of fresh cash June 6, 2022 Online mattress seller Eve Sleep said this morning it is hunting for a new owner after telling shareholders it needs new investment to expand. The company said it is looking for a new owner or at least a major investor to help fund the push into the “wider sleep wellness space”. Eve had been speaking [...]
S&U: Motor finance lender urges Labour to change ‘restrictive’ regulation after profit warning August 12, 2024 Specialist lender S&U has urged the new Labour government to change the UK's "restrictive and constantly changing" regulatory regime after warning that actions by the City watchdog would have a "significant impact" on its motor finance business' profits.