UK housing market returns to growth as north outpaces south Property Zoopla has predicted positive house price growth in all regions and counties of the UK in 2025, with the north expected to outpace the south. The real estate platform has forecast sales growth at five per cent and house price growth at 2.5 per cent across the UK, with the fastest price increases in Northern [...]
Dr Martens swings to the red but shares spike with analysts positive on future growth Retail Despite a pre-tax loss from Dr Martens, analysts have remained positive on its future growth prospects as it cuts costs and shakes up its leadership team. The boot-maker told markets this morning that profit before tax swung into the red, with a loss of £28.7m in the 26 weeks ended September 29, from a profit [...]
Morrisons expands use of Ocado’s grocery-picking software in store Retail Ocado has announced it will work more with Morrisons in-store and less via fulfilment centres as the latter company recalibrates the operations of its online grocery arm. Morrisons, which has been working with Ocado since 2013, will “gradually cease” deliveries from Ocado’s Erith fulfilment centre, in the south east Ocado said in a statement this [...]
Construction projects in London dipped but developer optimism remained November 28, 2024 Construction projects in London dipped this year, but positive signals like lower interest rates and easing construction cost inflation have boosted optimism amongst developers. The number of construction projects started between April and September this year fell by 12 per cent, with refurbishments down 57 per cent, according to the Deloitte London office crane survey. [...]
Dunelm boss: A rise in the living wage is good for our company November 27, 2024 The boss of Dunelm has said that an above-inflation increase to the minimum wage will have a positive effect on the home furnishings giant, despite a flurry of retailers decrying the increased bill. Dunelm chief executive Nick Wilkinson said that the resulting increase in consumer confidence – due to higher disposable income – will ripple [...]
Wealthy Americans look to London prime property after Trump’s victory November 27, 2024 Real estate agents in London’s prime property market have marked a spike in interest from wealthy Americans looking to relocate to the UK – particularly families – after Donald Trump’s successful Presidential election campaign. Estate agents Cluttons has experienced a “noticeable uptick in demand” post-election, according to its head of London residential, Laura Dam Villena. [...]
Gen Z are leading the way on luxury spirits November 27, 2024 For a generation who famously do not drink as much as their parents or grandparents, unlocking the spending habits of Generation Z on alcohol occupies a remarkable amount of brands’ time. For spirits brand Diageo, who own brands like Johnnie Walker whiskey and Don Julio tequila, the answer can be found in the post-pandemic shift [...]
Pets at Home: Shares crater after retailer predicts slow growth in ‘subdued market’ November 27, 2024 Animal care retailer Pets at Home described the market as subdued due to cautious consumers, and said it will grow more slowly than expected in the next six months – despite a big hit from the Budget. Shares fell more than 10 per cent in early trades, with the retailer’s share price now down nearly [...]
Tesco Clubcard and Sainbury’s Nectar schemes do help consumers, regulator says November 27, 2024 A year-long probe into UK supermarkets’ pricing practices has found “very little” evidence that shoppers are being treated unfairly with loyalty programmes such as the Tesco Clubcard scheme and Sainsbury’s Nectar points. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) probe, which has been ongoing since November last year, investigated whether supermarket loyalty schemes cause inflation by faking the [...]
Mitchells & Butlers: All Bar One operator set for £100m Budget tax hit November 27, 2024 All Bar One owner Mitchells & Butlers has become the latest hospitality business to warn of higher costs due to the tax changes outlined in Labour’s inaugural Budget at the end of October. The group made the comments within its full year results release for the year to 28 September 2024, which was published this [...]
