Shopper numbers surge as stores reopen but retail footfall lags behind pre-pandemic levels May 6, 2021 The number of shoppers visiting UK retail destinations surged last month as non-essential stores were able to reopen for the first time in months. However, despite the spike caused by the lifting of lockdown restrictions, retail footfall in April remained 32.7 per cent lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. It was an improvement from the [...]
HSBC buy Axa’s Singapore operations in bid to boost Asia fee income August 16, 2021 HSBC has agreed to acquire Axa’s Singapore operations in a bid to boost its fee incomes in the Asia market. HSBC said in a statement that the combined unit comprising HSBC Life Singapore and Axa Singapore would be the seventh-largest life insurer and the fourth-largest retail health insurer in Singapore. HSBC currently ranks 10th in [...]
Top Tesco executive Tony Hoggett to step down after 30 years July 9, 2021 One of Tesco’s most senior executives is stepping down after more than three decades at the supermarket. Tony Hoggett joined Tesco in 1990 and has served in a number of top roles in the UK and Asia. He became group chief operating officer in 2018 before being appointed to the newly-created role of chief strategy [...]
Selfridges put up for sale with £4bn price tag June 10, 2021 The billionaire owners of Selfridges are considering selling the iconic department store group, with bids expected to top £4bn. The Weston Family has lined up advisers at Credit Suisse to advise on a potential sale after receiving an unsolicited takeover approach, React News reported. It is understood offers in excess of £4bn are likely to [...]
Sir Philip Green’s wife spent millions on London homes as BHS collapsed October 5, 2021 Sir Philip Green’s wife spent millions on London properties while thousands of employees working at now-collapsed BHS prepared to lose their jobs. Details of Lady Tina Green’s spending were laid bare in the ‘Pandora Papers – leaked offshore financial documents published by the BBC. Tina Green used a company located in the British Virgin Islands [...]
Burberry stock drops as CEO departure spooks investors July 16, 2021 Shares sank 5.5 per cent in luxury fashion brand Burberry today, dragging its total share price to 1,955 as investors seemed uncertain about the company’s direction following its CEO’s exit. The brand pulled in £479m in revenue over the past three months despite over ten per cent of its stores remaining closed due to Covid [...]
The UK is lagging behind in supporting the scale and economic potential of growing sectors, including sports and recreation: Padel is a prime example March 1, 2024 With over 25 million players in more than 90 countries, padel has been taking the world by storm, and has frequently been reported as the fastest-growing sport across the globe. Spain has six million players, and over 20,000 courts. Italy is the fastest new adopter of the sport, making up 18.5% of all global Google [...]
Watches of Switzerland eyes first £1bn year after pandemic fails to dampen desire for posh watches May 20, 2021 Appetite for posh watches and luxury jewellery has not waned during the pandemic, as Watches of Switzerland reported a group revenue increase of 18 per cent in its 2021 financial year. Luxury watches at the company – the UK’s biggest Rolex retailer – were responsible for £788.4m in revenue, while luxury jewellery pulled in £60.8m. [...]
Sales at Pets at Home pass £1.4bn as Brits pick up furry companions May 27, 2021 Revenue at Pets at Home jumped nearly eight per cent in the last year, as coronavirus-led lockdowns persuaded more households to get a pet. Revenue at the pet care retailer jumped 7.9 per cent to £1.14bn in the group’s 2021 financial year. Retail revenue reached £1bn for the first time despite Covid-19 restrictions, and revenue [...]
Retail CEO turnover spikes in challenging year for sector February 3, 2020 Retail chief executive turnover reached a seven-year high in 2019 as the sector faced one of the toughest 12 months on record. The rate of chief executive churn increased 25 per cent on the previous year as the retail industry struggled with low consumer confidence, Brexit uncertainty, changing shopping habits and rising overheads. The latest [...]