THG and SoftBank scrap options for $1.6bn investment in e-commerce emporium July 26, 2022 E-commerce giant THG has cancelled its partnership with a division of SoftBank, citing “global macroeconomic conditions.” A call option with the Japanese conglomerate to pump an extra $1.6bn into technology unit THG Ingenuity has been scrapped and will “cease to be capable” of being exercised. An option and collaboration agreement was terminated by mutual agreement [...]
JD Sports set to announce former B&Q executive as new CEO July 26, 2022 A former boss at B&Q is being touted to take the reins at JD Sports Fashion to replace the brand’s long-term CEO who stepped down over board disagreements. Frenchman Regis Schultz is set to take over at the sportswear fashion giant according to Sky News’ Mark Kleinman. City sources said the agreement could be signed [...]
Scorching summer boosts grocery sales but volumes dip amid cost of living crunch July 26, 2022 Total till grocery sales were elevated this month as sweltering summer temperatures encouraged shoppers to spend more at the supermarket. According to NielsenIQ data, total till grocery sales were up 4.4 per cent in the four weeks to 16 July, with sales up 5.6 per cent in the last week when scorching weather started. Price [...]
Revenue climbs for Greencore despite supply chain challenges and inflationary pressure July 26, 2022 Irish food firm Greencore reported a revenue increase of 35 per cent to £486.2m the third quarter, thanks to continued strong growth in both food to go and other convenience categories.
Unilever boosts sales growth guidance and suggests not the end of price hikes July 26, 2022 Consumer goods giant Unilever has seen sales propelled more than eight per cent after hiking prices of food and drink to mitigate cost increases. Underlying sales growth of 8.1 per cent was “driven by strong pricing to mitigate input cost inflation, which, as expected, had some impact on volume,” Alan Jope, chief executive officer said [...]
Fashion factories: Government must do more to tackle workers’ fears towards reporting illegal wages July 25, 2022 The government should do more to tackle Leicester garment workers’ fears around reporting illegal wages, a report has urged. Findings from the Low Pay Commission (LPC) echo earlier studies in concluding there is still a long way to go in improving the treatment of textile factory workers in the city. Some factories have operated at [...]
Sausage roll-ing in to town: Greggs and Primark launch new fashion range with ‘snackfest’ tour July 25, 2022 Greggs and Primark are teaming up for a new clothing range, which will be launched on a ‘snackfest’ UK bus tour. The kings of sausage rolls and low cost clothes announced the new range on social media this morning. Gregs and Primark, which collaborated on a similar project earlier in the year, announced the range [...]
Mr Kipling owner acquires meal-kit brand The Spice Tailor for £43.8m July 25, 2022 Premier Foods has snapped up the Indian and South East Asian meal kits business The Spice Tailor, for an initial £43.8m. The Spice Tailor is anticipated to generate revenue of £17.3m in the 2022/23 financial year, with the Mr Kipling owner enticed by its 20 per cent compound annual growth rate over the last four [...]
Aldi raises pay for 26,000 shop staff with Londoners to be paid £11.95 an hour July 25, 2022 Aldi has announced it is raising store assistant pay further, with Londoners to receive £11.95 minimum per hour from the autumn. The discount supermarket said this pay increase means it retains the crown of the country’s best-paying grocer, with store assistants outside the M25 to receive a base pay of £10.50 an hour. Some 26,000 [...]
The Gym Group’s chair of directors will retire with its founder taking over the role July 25, 2022 Chair of directors for low cost exercise giant the Gym Group has announced she is retiring, having been at the helm since its IPO in 2015. Penny Hughes will step down as the chair of The Gym Group board of directors today, with founder and director John Treharne taking over the role. During her time [...]