Matalan ‘very cautious’ over impact of latest lockdown as Christmas sales drop January 18, 2021 Budget fashion retailer Matalan warned that it is “very cautious” about the coming months due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus, as it announced a drop in sales over the crucial Christmas trading period. In the five weeks to 2 January, total UK revenue was £119.2m, down from £134.3m in the previous year, as the [...]
Retail footfall decline slows as fewer Brits stay home in lockdown January 18, 2021 Retail footfall levels during the current national lockdown have not plummeted to the record lows seen in March, the latest analysis showed. Footfall across all UK retail destinations dropped 10.9 per cent last week compared to the previous seven days. The decline was less than half the 27.1 per cent drop recorded the week before. [...]
Uptick in central London office interest offers hope to struggling businesses January 18, 2021 There was an uptick in interest in London office properties at the end of 2020, offering city centre firms hope that the end of the remote-working boom is on the horizon. The latest research by real estate giant JLL showed that there had been a “significant” jump in viewings and negotiations, suggesting recovery could be [...]
Canary Wharf could move into Zone 1 in new Transport for London plan to raise fares January 16, 2021 Canary Wharf could move into Zone 1 in new Transport for London plan to raise fares
UK house prices: What will happen to property values in 2021? January 16, 2021 The UK residential property market boomed in 2020, with house prices ending the year at a record high, despite the shutdown of the sector during the first coronavirus lockdown. Government measures such as the stamp duty holiday helped revitalise the market, while the lifting of lockdown restrictions prompted a surge in demand. Lockdown also inspired [...]
More than 200 jobs axed after M&S deal to buy Jaeger fails to save stores January 15, 2021 More than 200 high street jobs have been axed after womenswear brand Jaeger collapsed, resulting in the closure of its 63 stores. Marks & Spencer has acquired Jaegers stock and marketing assets but the retailer’s stores and concessions were not part of the deal. In total 211 store staff and 22 head office employees have [...]
Plus-size retailer N Brown’s shares drop after pandemic hits revenue January 15, 2021 Shares in plus-size fashion retailer N Brown plunged this morning after the company, which owns Simply Be and Jacamo, announced a dip in revenue due to a drop off in occasionwear sales during the pandemic. N Brown’s share price fell 13.48 per cent to 64.2p after it reported a 1.4 per cent drop in product [...]
LSL shares jump as estate agent chain expects ‘significant’ rise in full-year profit January 15, 2021 Shares in estate agent chain LSL Property Services jumped this morning after the London-listed firm announced profit for 2020 will be “significantly” ahead of the previous year. LSL’s stock rose more than six per cent to 272p following its announcement that full-year group underlying operating profit is expected to be £41.5m, beating 2019 levels. The [...]
Commercial landlord Segro bucks trend to collect majority of rent owed in 2020 January 15, 2021 Commercial landlord Segro has bucked the current trend to collect almost all of the rent due last year, as its out-of-town business property assets proved to be resilient during the pandemic. The real estate investment trust (Reit) said it had collected 98 per cent of the £417m owed in 2020. Segro has also received 88 [...]
The Gym Group eyes expansion despite pandemic hit to trading January 15, 2021 The Gym Group is eyeing future expansion opportunities despite the impact of the pandemic on trading, which caused revenue to plummet last year. The budget fitness chain said total revenue last year was £80.5m, down from £153.1m in 2019, as the company lost 45 per cent of trading days due to closure as a result [...]
