Welcome to the Age of Boycotts, where controversy can be a brand’s best friend October 8, 2020 This summer’s hectic news agenda made corporate boycotts the latest hot fashion accessory — and it’s not a trend that looks likely to die any time soon. But rather than panicking and getting ready to fold to the demands of the online (and offline) mob, companies should reframe the risk of being subject to a [...]
Sainsbury’s delays dividend as coronavirus costs expected to reach £500m April 30, 2020 Sainsbury’s has delayed a decision on its dividend and warned that it will take a £500m hit due to costs associated with coronavirus, but that soaring grocery sales and business rates relief will largely offset the impact. The supermarket said this morning that it faces costs associated with protecting customers and staff, weaker fuel, general [...]
Coronavirus: Ocado closes website down as demand soars March 18, 2020 Online supermarket Ocado has closed its website for several days as it grapples with a surge in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic. The delivery company said it is temporarily shut until 21 March in order to “complete essential work” to make product and delivery slot distribution as “fair and accessible” as possible. In a [...]
Coronavirus: Supermarkets call for competition laws to be waived March 9, 2020 The bosses of the UK’s biggest supermarkets are expected to warn the government that the outbreak of coronavirus could require competition law to be paused to allow them to collaborate. During a phone call with environment secretary George Eustice at least one of the big four grocers will reportedly call for the suspension of the [...]
Takeover interest mounts over Sainsbury’s £1.9bn mortgage book December 12, 2019 Grocery giant Sainsbury’s has reportedly received several offers for its £1.9bn mortgage book. The Big Four supermarket chain has attracted a number of bidders as it looks to quit the home-loans market, according to Sky News. The broadcaster said that Lloyds Banking Group is understood to be among the interested parties in the auction, which [...]
Shoppers spend extra £524m at UK supermarkets in April April 28, 2020 Shoppers spent an extra £524m at UK supermarkets during the coronavirus lockdown compared to April last year. Grocery sales soared 9.1 per cent in the 12 weeks to 19 April, which were £524m higher in the past four weeks than they were in April 2019. Households made a record low 14 trips to UK supermarkets [...]
Iceland’s founding family mulls buying bigger stake March 10, 2020 Iceland’s founder could seek to regain ownership of the supermarket when South African investment company Brait sells its stake. Brait, which owns around 63 per cent of the frozen food specialist, said in November it plans to offload its stake in several British companies, including Iceland, in the next five years. It will also sell [...]
Two Sainsbury’s executives to step down in boardroom shake up October 29, 2019 The new chairman of Sainsbury’s is planning a major boardroom reshuffle as the UK’s third-biggest supermarket tries to move on from the collapse of its planned £15bn merger with Asda. Read more: Sainsbury’s heir to the thrown quits to join media powerhouse WPP Google’s Europe operations chief Matt Brittin and ex-Marks and Spencer executive Jean [...]
Coronavirus: Supermarkets mull streamlining stores to cope with spike in demand March 16, 2020 The biggest supermarkets in the UK are mulling cutting cafe, counters and other services to focus on maintaining basic provisions as the demand for essential items and hygiene products soars during the coronavirus outbreak. Bosses are stepping up their contingency plans to keep stores running if staff take sick leave or if a potential mass [...]
Funeral company Dignity one of the leading risers on London Stock Exchange amid coronavirus fears March 16, 2020 Funeral company Dignity was one of the leading risers on the London Stock Exchange this morning in a bleak pointer to who investors think could do well out of the coronavirus epidemic. Dignity was up 2.5 per cent at 333p this morning, amid a stock market rout that came despite a dramatic intervention by the [...]