Sainsbury’s profits takes inflation and cost of living hit as supermarket faces stark choice April 27, 2023 In its full year results for the year ending 4 March 2023, Sainsbury’s pre tax profits fell from £854m to £327m as the retailer battled to keep its pole position as one of the UK’s largest supermarkets. The supermarket giant said it was impacted by non-cash asset impairments, driven by a higher discount rate, and [...]
Pret hikes price of coffee subscription in wake of soaring inflation April 26, 2023 Pret-A-Manger has revealed that it is increasing the price of its subscription service by £5 in the wake of soaring inflation. The London-born coffee chain said that the price of its ‘Club Pret’ loyalty service is rising from £25 to £30, however, fans of the cafe will now also receive a 10 per cent discount [...]
Prezzo shuts 46 branches including four in London as 810 jobs put at risk April 24, 2023 Prezzo will shut 46 loss making sites across the UK including three in London and place 810 workers at risk of redundancy, as soaring energy and a hike in food costs rattle the business. The Italian restaurant chain, which is owned by private equity firm Cain International said that the closures will impact sites where [...]
Could Mega May save retail? Hopes are riding high on King’s coronation and bumper May Day bank holiday boost April 21, 2023 Could the coronation of King Charles III help lift the UK’s post-Covid retail industry? Our retail reporter Laura McGuire finds out. March has proved to be another challenging month for the retail industry as sales fell 0.9 per cent due to soaring living costs and the third wettest March in history. However, with Royal celebrations [...]
Retail: Sixth wettest March on record dampens sales as shoppers’ fail to weather inflation hike April 21, 2023 Retail sales fell 0.9 per cent in March as wet weather conditions and high inflation hit consumer spending during the month. Despite Mother’s Day falling within the month retail, non-food sales such as clothing and homeware, fell by 1.3 per cent as the sixth wettest March on record since 1836 deterred shoppers from hitting the [...]
No break for Brits as inflation pushes the cost of kitchen staples by 80 per cent April 18, 2023 Brits are yet to receive a break from soaring food prices as the price of cheddar cheese, sliced white bread and porridge oats are up to 80 per cent more expensive than a year ago. As inflation reached record highs due to the war in Ukraine, consumers were forced to fork out more for kitchen [...]
Quiz takes a dressing down as fashion retailer sounds warning over cost of living April 17, 2023 High street retailer Quiz blamed high inflation and a knock in consumer confidence for a dip in like-for-like revenues during the first two months of the year. The clothing brand sounded a note of optimism, stating its trading remained consistent with that of pre-pandemic levels. The London-listed retailer’s group revenue rose 17 per cent to [...]
Coalition of 15 investors with total assets of £2.4trn plead with firms to protect lowest-paid workers April 14, 2023 A coalition of investors are demanding that businesses take “decisive action” to protect their lowest paid workers during the cost of living crisis. The coalition, which includes 15 investors with a combined £2.4trn in assets under management, argued that the lowest-paid workers are “disproportionately impacted by the rising cost of living.” Companies should ensure that [...]
Shoppers head to frozen food aisles to quell ‘sizzling hot’ inflation hit April 14, 2023 Shoppers are opting for frozen meat and meals like pizza and chips as food price inflation continues to add hundreds of pounds to households’ grocery shops. New figures from research firm Kantar showed frozen food sales were ticking up in British supermarkets. Frozen poultry like chicken and game meats increased in the three months to [...]
Tesco hit by inflation and supermarket war with Aldi and Lidl as profit down almost seven per cent April 13, 2023 Tesco, Britain’s biggest supermarket, was hit hard by consumers tightening their belts during the cost of living crisis, as it reported its operating profit was down almost seven per cent on last year. The London-listed chain said its profit was £2,6bn for the year to the end of February which was down 6.9 per cent [...]