Sharp increase in retail sales amid ‘subdued’ outlook due to inflation – but is there a ‘chink of light’ with Easter holidays? March 24, 2023 British retail sales grew sharply last month compared to pre-pandemic levels, but price increases continue to deliver a “subdued” longer-term outlook. Sales volumes are thought to have increased by 1.2 per cent in February after a rise of 0.9 per cent in January, suggesting the industry is recovering from the pandemic well. Industry figures are [...]
Eve shares crash after sleep wellness brand further cash injection needed September 20, 2022 Mattress seller Eve Sleep has seen shares crash by almost 50 per cent after admitting it will need further funding in October. Shares were down 47.5 per cent on Tuesday morning, after the firm said shoppers had shunned big ticket items and homeware goods amid pressure on household budgets. While a number of indicative offers [...]
Marston’s Christmas sales disappoint but restrictions lifting will enable ‘some semblance of normal trade’ January 25, 2022 Marston’s misses out on bountiful Christmas but signs show consumer confidence ‘rebuilding’ Pub operator Marston’s has joined other hospitality chains in reporting a disappointing Christmas trading period, with sales dipping. In a trading update for the 16 weeks to 12 January 2022, total like-for-like sales were down 3.9 per cent compared to the 2019 financial [...]
Can online favourite Ocado make a comeback, or will its share price sink lower? March 28, 2023 Ocado’s share price fell nearly six per cent in afternoon trade as the “magic” of the online retailer’s venture with Marks and Spencer did little to buoy the confidence of investors In its start of year trading update Ocado revealed that retail revenue grew slightly by 3.4 per cent, although a 7.5 per cent decrease [...]
Brits cutting spending sends profit warnings soaring October 24, 2022 Brits cutting spending in response to the cost of living crunch has driven a sharp uptick in the number of businesses warning profits will fall short of expectations, a new report out today shows. Some 86 listed companies issued a profit warning in the three months to September, up from 51 over the same period [...]
Britvic reports fizzing revenues but warns of cost-of-living slowdown July 21, 2022 Drinks maker Britvic reported a jump in revenues across its markets today but warned sales could be hit in the months ahead as the cost of living begins to bite.
Half-term holiday bonanza: Britons flock abroad with departures soaring 44 per cent February 9, 2023 Britons are capitalising on the first restriction-free February half-term in two years to flock abroad, according to new data. Figures released today by aviation analytics firm Cirium showed that departures during the coming half term are up 44 per cent on last year’s levels, as 15,455 flights are scheduled to take off from UK airports [...]
Persimmon warns of sales slide as interest rate rises push up the cost of mortgages January 12, 2023 Persimmon achieved sales at the top end of its 2022 guidance, despite the mortgage crisis and the wider economic downturn in the second half of the year. The York headquartered company, one of the UK’s largest housebuilders, sold 14,868 new homes last year a rise of two per cent compared to 14,551 in 2021. The [...]
UK consumer confidence is at its lowest point since 2013 ahead of General Election November 29, 2019 Consumer confidence was flat this month as the UK waits for the outcome of the upcoming General Election and for the new government’s Brexit plan to become clear. The overall index score for consumer confidence this month was minus 14, according to the latest data from GfK. This is the same score as was recorded in [...]
‘Barratt Redrow’ merger to highlight investors’ skewed opinions on UK housing market February 7, 2024 Shares in major FTSE 100 and 250 housebuilders suffered a mixed day so far on the London market, as Barratt Developments' surprise £2.5bn megamerger with Redrow highlighted investors' skewed opinions on the state of UK housing.