Debenhams announces final store closures after 240 years on the UK high street May 5, 2021 Debenhams has announced that its remaining shops will close for good next week, meaning the department store chain will disappear from the high street after more than 200 years in business. It announced its final 49 stores will be open to customers for the last time on either 12 or 15 May. The retailer previously [...]
Tesco, M&S and John Lewis among UK retail giants to threaten Brazil boycott over Amazon deforestation May 5, 2021 UK retail giants including Tesco, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis have threatened to boycott Brazillian agricultural commodities over the deforestation of the Amazon. In an open letter published today the retailers said they will take action if Brazil’s government passes a law expanding property rights for squatters on public land. Campaigners have warned that [...]
European Super League: JP Morgan boss admits investment bank failed to grasp football fans’ passion May 5, 2021 JP Morgan’s boss has admitted that the investment bank had failed to understand the passion of football fans when it agreed to finance the failed breakaway European Super League. Chief executive Jamie Dimon said the US banking giant had “kind of missed” the strength of feeling among football supporters before it agreed to fund around [...]
Boohoo sales and profits surge after fast fashion retailer ups loungewear and activewear offering during pandemic May 5, 2021 Fast fashion retailer Boohoo reported a spike in sales and profit last year after refocusing its product offering on loungewear and activewear during the coronavirus pandemic. The e-commerce giant announced this morning that revenue surged 41 per cent in the year ended 28 February 2021, with sales jumping from £1.23bn to £1.75bn. Profit before tax [...]
Over 50s to be offered third Covid ‘booster’ jab to eradicate risk of virus before Christmas May 5, 2021 Over 50s could reportedly be offered a third Covid “booster” vaccination this autumn in a bid to eradicate the threat of the virus before Christmas. Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, is currently supervising two trials, with one involving a jab modified to protect against new variants. The other trial involves a third [...]
Ikea launches scheme to buy back used furniture after pandemic delays May 5, 2021 Ikea has launched a service allowing customers to sell furniture back to the store after the planned start date was delayed due to the pandemic. The Swedish homewares giant said the buy back scheme will be available to UK customers from today. Customers will be able to sell furniture they no longer need back to [...]
Amazon pays no European corporation tax despite record sales last year May 4, 2021 Amazon reportedly did not pay any corporation tax in Europe last year despite reporting record sales, raising fresh questions over the ecommerce giant’s tax planning. The US firm, which has its European headquarters in Luxembourg, recorded sales income of €44bn (£38bn) in the region last year but reportedly not have to pay any corporation tax [...]
Central Line strike planned for election day suspended as union officials hold talks with Tube bosses May 4, 2021 A Central Line strike planned to coincide with the Mayoral election this week has been suspended. The Rail, Transport and Maritime (RMT) union had previously called for industrial action following the “victimisation” and subsequent sacking of tube driver, and union rep, Gary Carney. However, today union bosses told members at Leytonstone, Loughton, West Ruislip and [...]
Made.com doubles London warehouse space with new 350,000 sq ft site, creating 100 jobs May 4, 2021 Online retailer Made.com has announced it will more than double its London warehouse space to meet consumer demand for furniture and homewares. The 350,000 sq ft distribution centre at London Gateway Logistics Park in Tilbury is part of Made’s growth plans and will create up to 100 new jobs. The development, which will be completed [...]
Covid wipes £9m per hour off UK pub and restaurant sales – totalling £81bn in a year April 30, 2021 The Covid-19 pandemic has wiped £80.8bn off UK pub and restaurant sales after venues were forced to close or operate under strict restrictions for much of the last 12 months. The latest figures showed that sales from the start of April 2020 – a week after the first lockdown began – to the end of [...]