Ocado anticipates ‘best-ever Christmas’ as it eyes new Zoom site openings December 14, 2021 Ocado has forecast its “best-ever Christmas ahead” and said it anticipated mid-teens sales growth for 2022. In a trading update for the 13 weeks to 28 November, the grocer said there was “strong momentum in under-lying demand”. It posted retail revenue of £547.8m for the quarter. This was compared to £570.1m in the same period [...]
Antivaxxers targeting Tesco Christmas ad set to complain to advertising watchdog November 17, 2021 The antivaxxers who began the #BoycottTesco trend at the weekend have reportedly arranged a campaign to complain to the Advertising Standards Authority. Tesco became the latest subject to antivax protest after it included a double vaccinated Santa in its Christmas advert. Antivaxxers, those who have been against the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, took to Twitter to [...]
French fishermen set to carry out blockade in a bid to spoil Christmas for Brits December 12, 2021 French fisherman are planning to start a blockade in Calais and other ports in moves that could disrupt supply chains and spoil Christmas for millions of Brits. The blockade would be the latest salvo in a long-running row between the UK and France over post-Brexit fishing licences. A spokesperson for a group of French trawler [...]
Sainsbury’s unveils Christmas ad celebrating families finally coming together November 14, 2021 Sainsbury’s festive advert ‘A Christmas to Savour’ aired for the first time this evening on ITV Networks during the Angela Black Special. The advert celebrates the enjoyment of friends and family coming together after last minute lockdown restrictions scuppered Christmas plans for many Brits last year. To encourage everyone to savour the moment this year [...]
Liberal Democrats call for hospitality support amid ‘unprecedented rates’ of Christmas cancellations December 9, 2021 The Liberal Democrats have written to the government requesting urgent support for hospitality firms impacted by plan B measures. Pubs and restaurants in city centres have been concerned about a drop off in trade during what is usually their busiest time of year, following fresh work-from-home guidance. In a letter to the minister for small [...]
Brits scrambling for early Christmas presents boosts credit lending to 16-month high January 4, 2022 Brits scrambling to get their hands on Christmas presents early to avoid shortages boosted credit card spending to a 16-month high, reveal official figures released today. Households in the UK took on £1.2bn in net consumer debt in November, the highest level in nearly a year and a half, according to the Bank of England. [...]
Post-Christmas slump: UK shopper numbers fall 15 per cent in a week January 3, 2022 UK shoppers shirked the high street in the week following Christmas as concerns about the the rapid spread of omicron continued to bite.
Nightclubs ‘must not be thrown under bus’ as a distraction from Christmas party fury December 8, 2021 Nightclubs are readying themselves for a “devastating” Christmas as rumours swirl over the imminent introduction of fresh Covid restrictions. Multiple newspapers have reported that so-called Plan B restrictions could be announced as early as tonight in a press conference. The restrictions would mean vaccine passports and an instruction to work-from-home once more. Late-night venues had [...]
Consumer spending anxiety on the up as households look to cut back before Christmas December 8, 2021 Brits are growing increasingly anxious about the rising cost of living and are dining out less and shopping in cheaper stores. With food and energy bills on the up, more than one in three are nervous they will be unable to pay for essentials, according to a survey of 2,000 UK adults. Almost half of [...]
Cost of Christmas turkey rising fast as inflation pushes up food prices December 7, 2021 The cost of a typical turkey Christmas dinner has risen by 3.4 per cent as rocketing inflation pushes up food prices, according to new figures. Kantar said this morning that the average cost of a Christmas meal for four, with a frozen turkey and all the trimmings, is now £27.48. The figures show wider grocery [...]