DFS navigates lockdowns and supply chain disruption to land profit June 10, 2021 DFS is set to make at least £105m in underlying profit before tax for its 2021 financial year, despite Covid-related disruption and and supply chain issues. In a market update this morning ahead of its full year results, the sofa retailer said total order intake for its fourth quarter was up 92 per cent against [...]
Haulier shortage putting construction work ‘under enormous pressure’ June 23, 2021 A shortage of hauliers due to the UK’s departure from the EU and Covid testing rules is becoming a “critical nationwide problem” for the construction industry, which is already battling disrupted supply chains. Government advisory body the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) today said that a lack of drivers was now causing construction delays and pushing [...]
The greatest gift Ever Given: Why we all loved the Big Boat stuck in the Suez April 1, 2021 In a world of extraordinary complexity, at a time of enormous uncertainty, a big boat stuck in the Suez Canal took us back to a simpler time. “The greater our knowledge increases,” said John F Kennedy in the speech that launched the US space programme, “the greater our ignorance unfolds.” So it proved to be. [...]
UK business confidence soars to highest level since 2005 July 11, 2021 UK business confidence has surged to its highest level since 2005 as companies look ahead to the final lifting of lockdown restrictions later this month. The latest business trends report from BDO showed the optimism index moved 2.74 points from 109.71 in May to 112.45 in June, marking the fifth consecutive month of growth and [...]
UK business confidence surges to record high July 12, 2021 The approaching end of Covid restrictions on 19 July has propelled business confidence to its highest level on record, shows new research published today. Accountancy firm BDO’s latest optimism index jumped to 112.45 in June, up from 109.71, to its highest level since the survey started in 2005. The increase was the fifth consecutive month [...]
Before the Bell: DAX set for a record open as margin call concerns subside March 30, 2021 If markets were worried about the spill over effects from Friday’s $20bn block trade margin call, and the potential spill overs from the Ever Given container ship getting stuck in the Suez Canal, then yesterday’s price action suggested the fallout was fairly contained. European markets finished yesterday’s session broadly higher, while US markets finished the [...]
Footwear retailer Shoe Zone could close more stores after revenue takes a kicking May 18, 2021 Shoe Zone saw overall revenue drop to £40.4m in the six months to 3 April, down from £68.9m in the corresponding period a year earlier after lockdown measures saw revenue from physical stores plummet. In the first half of its financial year store revenue at the shoe retailer stood at just £22.8m, down from £63.3m [...]
Biden to set up taskforce to address semiconductor dearth June 8, 2021 The Biden administration will set up a new taskforce to address a number of supply chain issues that threaten the US’ economic recovery from the pandemic, it was announced today. The first six months of the year have been plagued by disruptions to economic activity brought about by a shortage of semiconductor chips and other [...]
It’s the end of the road for the Ford Mondeo March 25, 2021 Ford said today it will phase out the Mondeo early next year after nearly three decades of production. The saloon car used to be hugely popular among executives and families, with about 5m sold in Europe since its introduction in 1993. At the Labour Party Conference in 1996, leader Tony Blair identified “Mondeo man” as [...]
Bermuda adds Heathrow flight to tourism offer as temperatures rise March 24, 2021 The prospect of an 8am in Frankfurt or a Friday night stuck in Zurich may not have us that excited about the return of business travel, and Europe’s ongoing vaccination struggles suggest we might not be hitting the beaches of the Costa del Sol as soon as we might like. But Bermuda – matching business [...]