Businesses fear losing staff over lack of hybrid working options April 1, 2022 The pandemic has shifted working patterns towards a hybrid office-home balance, with many employers now worried about losing staff without offering both options. With almost 20 per cent of firms now expecting workers back in the office full-time, according to a new report by Poly, many are considering options that offer more flexibility. The report [...]
Thousands of Brits receive mysterious WhatsApp messages offering them free Easter Cadbury chocolate April 1, 2022 Thousands of Brits have received a WhatsApp message that offers a free Easter chocolate basket. The message has also been circulating on messaging platforms and social media. However, Cadbury has now warned people not to interact it as it is a scam. Images have been posted online by recipients that show a WhatsApp message containing [...]
Fashion chain Quiz anticipates profit for first time in three years April 1, 2022 High street clothes-seller Quiz said it anticipates the first year of profit since 2019, after heavy pandemic losses. The beleagured chain forecast a profit before tax of some £500,000 in the year to the end of March. It last made a profit of £600,000 in the year ending March 2019. Total full year group revenue [...]
Minor wins bid for The Wolseley after battle between Corbin & King and Thai stakeholder April 1, 2022 The Wolseley restaurant’s majority shareholder has taken full control of the chain following a row with its co-founder. Corbin & King’s co-founders have previously said the London restaurant business was “under siege” from its shareholder. Thai hotel chain Minor International already held a 74 per cent stake in the company and said it now has [...]
After an explosion of apps and billion dollar valuations, is the ultra-fast bubble about to burst? April 1, 2022 Any Londoner on a stroll down a main road in the city is bound to encounter a handful of instant grocery delivery riders zipping past. With Getir, Gorillas and Gopuff among other players on the scene, the category has exploded over the past couple of years with some receiving billion-dollar valuations. The pandemic saw many [...]
Co-op food names two top managers to cover chief executive’s family-orientated career break March 31, 2022 Two new co-managing directors have been appointed to the Co-Op’s food business, while its chief executive takes a career break to support her childrens’ education. The mutual’s current chief operating officer and chief commercial officer, Chris Whitfield and Matt Hood, are set to assume a joint role while Jo Whitfield takes four months off, from [...]
Egg farmers: Supermarkets must raise prices by 40p to avert sector crisis March 31, 2022 Egg farmers have called on supermarkets to up the price of a dozen eggs by 40p as producers face cost pressures. Many free range egg farmers are bleeding cash on every egg laid by one of their hens, according to the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA). Shoppers in the UK were unable to [...]
The new normal? Air-purifying headphones to protect from pollution unveiled by Dyson March 31, 2022 With pollution in the capital remaining a hot-topic, Dyson has unveiled new air-purifying and noise-cancelling headphones. In wake of the pandemic, most people have become used to seeing face-masks in public. But Dyson’s new innovation may take some getting used to, as it launches its first foray into wearable technology. This comes after warnings from [...]
Walgreens: Profit hit after sales dip at US pharmacies while Boots enjoys sales rebound March 31, 2022 Walgreens Boots Alliance has taken a dent to its quarterly profit while its UK drugstores have enjoyed a sales bounce back. Drugstore chain Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc WBA.O reported a 13.9 per cent drop in quarterly profit after a decline in sales at its AllianceRX Walgreens business. It said US pharmacy sales fell 3.3 per [...]
H&M reveals 240 store closures in ‘established markets’ March 31, 2022 H&M has announced 240 global store closures after posting a slowdown in sales after suspending activities in Russia. The Swedish retailer has said it will open some 95 new stores and shut around 240 stores this year, with a net decrease of 145 spaces. Closures will “mainly be in established markets,” the fashion company said, [...]