The business rates backlash continues… this time Sainsbury’s speaks out February 19, 2017 Sainsbury's is the latest company to raise its voice amid growing concern over the impending rise in business rates which will see thousands of businesses with a bigger bill. The supermarket's chief executive Mike Coupe slammed the levy as "archaic" and called for reforms to "level the playing field with firms such as Amazon which [...]
More tourists came to the UK in 2016 than ever before February 17, 2017 No, it's not your imagination – there were more tourists visiting the UK than ever before in 2016. Last year, a record-breaking 37.3m inbound visitors filled the streets of Britain, up three per cent from 2015 and even more than the predicted number of 36.7m, VisitBritain's latest figures show. The numbers point to strong growth from North America. [...]
These are the brands a combined Kraft Heinz and Unilever would own February 17, 2017 Kraft Heinz revealed today that it has approached rival consumer goods giant Unilever about a potential merger. While its initial approach was rebuffed, Kraft Heinz said discussions with Unilever are ongoing. If the deal goes ahead, the combined group would own over 600 brands. These are the household names involved in the potential mega-merger: Marmite [...]
Asda has mixed Prosecco and Pinot Grigio to create an unholy booze chimera February 17, 2017 Remember that time Italian politicians discovered British pubs were serving Prosecco on tap and, um, took exception? Well, there's a good chance Britain is about to offend their delicate sensibilities again, after Asda unveiled Progrigio. Yes, it's a Frankensteinian blend of Prosecco and Pinot Grigio. In an article for Asda Good Living, Asda wine buyer Jack Clayton describes it [...]
Here’s some food for thought: The courgette crisis is no joke – the UK’s food security is at stake February 17, 2017 News of the so-called courgette crisis has been greeted with a certain amount of mirth in the press. The image of middle-class diners looking lost without their spiralized suppers after an uncommonly soggy winter in Spain was never going to provoke an outpouring of sympathy. However, a new report commissioned by Morrisons today suggests we [...]
Morrisons starts search for more local food suppliers February 17, 2017 Morrisons is looking for the "Innocent Smoothies of tomorrow" in a bid to get more local food to their shoppers. The supermarket wants to recruit more than 200 new suppliers across England, Scotland and Wales over the next year. To find Britain's best local food suppliers, Morrisons will invite foodmakers to pitch their products at a series [...]
Argos fined £1.5m for not paying workers the national minimum wage February 16, 2017 Home Retail Group has been fined £1.5m for not paying 37,000 Argos workers the national minimum wage. The business said it was paying back current and previous workers £64 each, with the total cost coming to £2.4m. If the company pays back HM Revenue and Customs within 14 days, it will only have to pay £800,000. Read [...]
Shares in the leading Coca-Cola bottling firm are fizzing as profit shoots up February 16, 2017 Leading drinks bottler Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC) today reached the top spot on the FTSE 100 risers' board as it announced its profit beat expectations yet again. The figures The soft drinks bottler's net profit jumped 22.5 per cent to €343.5m (£292.3m) from €280.3m for the year ended 31 December 2016. Net sales revenue lifted three per cent [...]
Laura Ashley shares dive: Poor first six months cannot be made up later February 16, 2017 Laura Ashley's share price fell over nine per cent as interim results missed expectations and the prospect of cost and currency headwinds spooked investors. The figures Total group sales over the six months to December fell from £150m to £146m, with like-for-like sales down 3.5 per cent. Profit before tax was £7.6m compared with £11.0m in [...]
Waitrose has been crowned the UK’s best supermarket February 16, 2017 Aldi and Lidl might be snatching market share from their rivals – but one middle class stalwart is still at the top of the nation's affections, according to a new survey. The report, by Which?, has crowned Waitrose the UK's best supermarket, above rivals Marks & Spencer, Aldi and Lidl. Meanwhile, Asda came bottom of the [...]