Bar operator Loungers posts lower earnings after government Covid support ends November 30, 2022 Bar group Loungers has posted lower earnings for the half-year, after it benefited from government aid with VAT and business rates last year. The Cosy Club and Lounges operator posted 53 per cent revenue growth, compared to the equivalent pre-pandemic half-year period in 2020. However, adjusted EBITDA came in at a subdued level compared to [...]
Unaffordable Christmas meals loom as food inflation skyrockets to record 12.4 per cent November 30, 2022 It has emerged that food inflation has surged to 12.4 per cent to hit a new record amid predictions of dampened Christmas cheer and an “increasingly bleak” winter. Overall shop prices are now 7.4 per cent higher than last November, up from 6.6 per cent in October, to set another record since the British Retail [...]
Strike chaos: RMT’s Mick Lynch tells hospitality to direct their anger at rail operators November 29, 2022 RMT’s general secretary Mick Lynch has told hospitality businesses to direct their anger at rail operators for the upcoming rail strikes. In a letter to hospitality and retail associations, Lynch said that while “you face disruption to your business at this critical time, the private rail businesses we are in dispute with will not lose [...]
KitKat maker Nestlé pushes sales outlook higher and mulls sale of allergy business November 29, 2022 Nestlé has boosted its annual sales outlook, ahead of an investor meeting on Tuesday, while announcing it is considering the future of its allergy treatment business. The Kit Kat maker nudged its outlook for organic sales growth to between eight and 8.5 per cent, following a forecast last month of around eight per cent. In [...]
Excl: Brits’ spend on restaurants and takeaways behind pre-Covid average November 28, 2022 Brits are now spending far less on meals out and takeaways than they were on the eve of the Covid-19 pandemic, as consumers and businesses grapple with rising costs. Diners are forking out 16 per cent less per month in restaurant spending on average, versus 2019, according to exclusive research shared with CityA.M. Average spend [...]
IKEA owner ‘optimistic’ about future price cuts as input costs ease November 28, 2022 The owner of most IKEA stores is eyeing additional price cuts as its cost headwinds have started to let up. While the flat-pack furniture specialist hiked prices earlier this year, Ingka group’s retail manager Tolga Oncu told Reuters that he was “optimistic” the firm would be able to reduce prices even further. The furniture giant [...]
Boohoo amps up stake in troubled Revolution Beauty to 26 per cent November 28, 2022 Fast fashion retailer Boohoo has upped its stake in Revolution Beauty, as the troubled cosmetics firm announced a new chief. The online retailer said it had upped its strategic investment in the lipstick seller to 26.47 per cent of its issued share capital. Boohoo, which sells Revolution cosmetics on a number of its websites and [...]
Shapps intervention urged to stop energy suppliers ‘finding routes to inflate’ bills for SMEs November 28, 2022 The business minister has been asked to intervene to stop energy suppliers from hiking prices for small businesses. Some small firms have complained that their energy costs continue to climb, despite the government’s energy bill relief scheme. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has written to Grant Shapps to urge him to prevent suppliers from [...]
Superdry confirms £70m loan talks with Bantry Bay ahead of repaying debts November 28, 2022 Fashion retailer Superdry has confirmed weekend reports that it is requesting £70m from London hedge fund Bantry Bay. Superdry is set to pay its debts early next year and has sought a new asset-backed lending facility before its January deadline. “Superdry plc acknowledges recent press speculation about its previously announced refinancing process and confirms that [...]
Revolution Beauty probe into lipstick seller’s accounts continues as lenders hire advisers November 28, 2022 Revolution Beauty has named its new chief executive officer as Bob Holt as the business looks to move forward amid a probe into its accounts. The troubled cosmetics retailer said on Monday its current chief operating officer Holt would be stepping into the top job, after Holt was made responsible for the daily management of [...]