The tampon tax isn’t the problem — our warped VAT system is December 5, 2019 Last week, Boris Johnson promised to scrap the so-called “tampon tax” — the VAT levied on feminine hygiene products. The current VAT regime, which dates back to the 1970s, cannot be changed while Britain remains in the EU. Feminists and progressives have long argued that such a tax is unfair and sexist, so scrapping it [...]
Sainsbury’s Christmas sales slip despite online boost January 8, 2020 Sainsbury’s suffered the biggest drop in Christmas sales of general merchandise since it bought Argos in 2016, as consumer demand for toys and games weakened. General merchandise sales, which includes Argos, dropped 3.9 per cent in the 15 weeks to 4 January, driving a 0.7 per cent decline in total retail sales excluding fuel. However, [...]
Top 7: The best spas in the UK and beyond May 15, 2024 Feeling frazzled, want to take your fitness to the next level or need to seriously detox with a fast? We round up the best spas and wellness breaks to reboot mind, soul and body . . .
Appointment times and NHS discounts: How retailers plan to lure shoppers back after lockdown May 23, 2020 After more than two months of enforced closure during the UK coronavirus lockdown, retailers across England are preparing to potentially reopen to shoppers from 1 June. The high street will look different when retailers are allowed to open their doors. Social distancing signage will be in place, shop assistants will wear masks and a number [...]
M&S clothing boss steps down as CEO takes over role July 11, 2019 Marks & Spencer head of clothing Jill McDonald is leaving the company and is set to be replaced by chief executive Steve Rowe. McDonald, the former chief executive of cycling retailer Halfords, joined the high street giant less than two years ago. Read more: M&S seeks to persuade investors of Ocado deal benefits Sky News, [...]
Lady Diana: Today marks 24 years since Princess of Wales died in a Paris car crash August 31, 2021 Today marks twenty-four years since Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a Paris car crash. The princess – the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex’s late mother – was just 36 was she was killed on 31 August 1997. Nearly a quarter of a century on from Diana’s shock death, the statue commissioned [...]
M&S seeks to persuade investors of Ocado deal benefits July 9, 2019 Marks & Spencer today insisted its £750m joint venture with Ocado would boost profits as it aimed to persuade uncertain investors on the benefits of the deal. The high street giant is aiming to double the size of its food business and said the tie-up with the delivery service would set it “well on the [...]
Theresa May drops plan to publish new Brexit deal as she holds crunch talks with Cabinet ministers May 23, 2019 Theresa May has ducked publishing the derided new version of her Brexit deal as she desperately tries to hold her Cabinet together. The Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which contained a controversial pledge to offer MPs a vote on another referendum, was due to be published on Friday and voted on in the Commons in the first [...]
High-profile tech founders back $111m London startup fund November 30, 2020 A string of big-name tech founders including former Google boss Eric Schmidt are backing a new fund to invest in startups in the US and across Europe. London-based Firstminute Capital today unveiled a $111m (£83m) venture capital fund after securing support from some of the world’s top tech executives. More than 70 founders of billion-dollar [...]
Boris Johnson set to name new Cabinet after meeting with the Queen July 23, 2019 Boris Johnson will officially become Prime Minister on Wednesday afternoon after meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace. It was revealed on Tuesday that the former London Mayor beat leadership rival Jeremy Hunt in a poll of Conservative party members to land the top job. Johnson used his victory speech to pledge a Brexit breakthrough and [...]