London £4 trillion stock market sees profit warnings hit financial crisis levels January 30, 2023 Profit warnings issued by companies on London’s £4 trillion stock market surged over the last year, propelled by swelling costs squeezing margins, a new report out today reveals. Against a backdrop of skyrocketing energy prices and slowing demand amid cost of living crisis, businesses have had to tell shareholders to brace for profits to come [...]
Harvey Nichols boss warns tourism tax is hurting UK economy May 22, 2023 The boss of Harvey Nichols has warned that the so-called ‘tourism tax,’ created by the scrapping of tax-free shopping in 2021, is having a significant impact on the wider British economy. Chief executive Manju Malhotra told The Times that the tax was affecting not just retailers that benefit from international visitors, but the “entire ecosystem [...]
Illegal London candy stores turned into rent free shops in Oxford Street clean-up July 19, 2023 Oxford Street is set for a major revamp as Westminster City Council launches a new £10m scheme to transform London’s iconic high street. The council will make shops vacated by illicit candy stores, which have blighted the leading retail destination, available to small business owners rent free and lower their business rates by 70 per [...]
Muji secures rescue deal after entering administration April 18, 2024 Muji has secured its future after agreeing a rescue deal with its parent company.
Asos eyes cutting 100 jobs as part of turnaround plan for fashion retailer October 31, 2022 Asos is looking to slash 100 jobs as the fashion retailer tries to rebuild after hemograhing losses. The London-listed company confirmed it was launching a consultation on a number of roles across the firm, after it was first reported in RetailWeek. The retailer, which currently employs around 3,300 people, will begin mulling which roles to [...]
FTSE 100 close: Markets shrug off Bailey’s rate cut comments as M&S soars November 8, 2023 "The market of course will reach a view it has to reach. So I totally understand that. But we are very clear we’re not talking about that," Bailey said.
Sainsbury’s injects £200m for staff pay as bumper Christmas helps stave off Lidl and Aldi threats January 4, 2024 Some 120,000 employees at Sainsbury’s and Argos are set to have their hourly wage increase, as the supermarket injects £200m into improving pay. Staff at the ‘Big Four’ grocer will now be handed £12 per hour, in line with the Real Living Wage. For workers in London this will leap to £13.15. Sainsbury’s has increased [...]
The Notebook: Andy Silvester on why John Lewis’s next boss would do well to take a shift on the tills October 3, 2023 Where the City’s movers and shakers get a few things off their chest. Today, it’s our editor Andy Silvester with the pen Whoever replaces White would do well to take a shift on the tills Driving alongside Lake Bala, on the edges of Snowdonia, this intrepid Londoner got a shock at the weekend: an entrance [...]
Halfords investors looking for progress after profit warning earlier in the year June 9, 2023 Investors in Halfords will be hoping the retailer has made progress in repairing holes in its workforce as it is set to unveil its full-year financial results. The bike and car parts seller warned over its profits earlier in the year amid a shortage of mechanics. The firm, which also services cars and bikes and [...]
London businesses most confident in the UK amid economic slowdown May 31, 2023 London businesses are poised to lead the UK economy out of its slowdown, although they remain acutely concerned about the impact of higher interest rates and scorching inflation, a new survey out today shows. Confidence among the capital’s firms slimmed four points to 43 per cent, although that was the highest reading of any area [...]