FCA to expand guidance for insurers on protecting cash-strapped customers January 11, 2023 The City watchdog has vowed to update guidance for insurers on protecting customers amid the UK’s cost-of-living crisis. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) today set out plans to expand guidance, which was first introduced during the pandemic, to ensure all struggling customers are protected. Under the FCA’s proposed new guidance, insurers will be [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers carves out 9.1 per cent stake in Boohoo as share price rises August 31, 2023 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has raised his stake in fast fashion firm Boohoo from 7.9 per cent to 9.1 per cent. The retail powerhouse, which owns Sports Direct and Frasers, had previously carved out a smaller stake in the company earlier this summer. The company previously said the move with Boohoo could lead to collaborations [...]
Pawnbroker H&T snaps up Essex firm as recession drives Brits to borrowing February 21, 2024 Pawnbroker H&T has snapped up a rival firm in Essex for £11.3m, as the business continues to profit from cash strapped Brits amid an economic squeeze.
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group raises Boohoo stake to 15 per cent October 16, 2023 Mike Ashley backed Frasers Group has once again raised its stake in online fashion brand Boohoo. The Sports Direct owner upped its share in the group from 13.4 per cent to 15.1 per cent. The fashion powerhouse, which also owns Jack Wills, has been rapidly increasing its stake in the popular clothing site. At the [...]
Revolution Bars: Clubbers scaling back makes for a ‘challenging’ year ahead July 26, 2023 Revolution Bars Group said that it expects trading for the rest of the year to be “challenging”, as young clubbers are scaling back nights out due to the cost of living crisis. In its full year results the group said like-for-like sales were down 8.7 per cent against pre-covid levels, as it warned that trading [...]
CMA ‘unlikely’ to find loyalty prices in supermarkets misleading July 26, 2024 Britain’s competition watchdog has said it is "unlikely" to find widespread evidence to suggest that loyalty prices in stores are misleading shoppers.
‘A beneficiary of recent UK economic malaise’: Pawnbrokers are still doing well. July 23, 2024 Britain’s biggest pawnbroker H&T reported strong sales in line with expectations for the first six months of the year despite improving an economic climate in the UK. The value of H&T’s pledge book, which tracks short term loans via the pawnbroker, increased by four per cent to reach £105m in the first half of the [...]
Blackstone abandons plans to offload former FCA HQ in latest blow for Canary Wharf February 14, 2024 Private equity firm Blackstone has abandoned plans to sell a 15-storey building in Canary Wharf in the latest signal that confidence in the east London financial district is dwindling.
‘Budget for growth’: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt rolls pitch for Spring statement March 14, 2023 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said his spring statement will be a “budget for growth” as he prepares to set out key measures to support firms and families with the cost of living crisis. Hunt will make his annual budget statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday. He is expected to focus on efforts to [...]
Nightcap plans to exit AIM and re-register as private company June 28, 2024 London Cocktail Club owner Nightcap has proposed to cease trading on AIM and re-register as a private company as the late-night bar chain operator says its valuation "does not reflect" its potential.