High street weather major shutdown as 10,000 chain outlets disappear in 2021 February 19, 2022 Britain’s high streets saw a major shutdown of chain shops, bank and gyms last year as the pandemic continued to batter the retail and leisure industries, new figures have revealed.
Saturday sitdown: Whistle king Simon Topman on surviving two world wars and a global pandemic February 19, 2022 With businesses around the world managing the Covid pandemic and each facing their own set of challenges, Morning Wire caught up with Simon Topman, managing director of 150-year-old ACME Whistles, to blow the whistle on how this pandemic has differed from two world wars and other global disasters. Since inventing and making the first ever [...]
Hermès shares dip as handbag maker’s growth slowed by production caps February 18, 2022 Luxury handbag maker Hermès has reported sales growth slightly below expectations, pushing its share price down on Friday morning. The French luxury group reported sales growth of 11 per cent in the final quarter of 2021. This was slightly below expectations due to its own production curbs, which it said it “anticipated”. Shares were down [...]
Post-pandemic comeback for RideLondon as cycling festival returns in May with new 100 and 60 mile routes February 18, 2022 The RideLondon cycling festival returns to the capital in 100 days’ time with cyclists of all ages, backgrounds and abilities being encouraged to get on their bikes. The route takes in Epping Forest, Ongar and Chigwell Row while those completing 100 miles will also pass Fyfield, Leaden Roding, Great Dunmow, Felsted and Writtle. The event [...]
Profit jump for property developer Segro as dividend raised February 18, 2022 Property developer Segro has posted surging profit as it hikes its final dividend. In results for the year ended 31 December 2021, the London-based firm reported pre-tax profit of £356m. This was a leap of 20 per cent compared with the prior year, when 2020 profit stood at £296m The company raised its final dividend [...]
January retail sales boosted as cost of living crisis looms February 18, 2022 January retail sales volumes lifted 1.9 per cent last month while retailers prepare for consumers to limit spending as bills soar. According to the latest retail data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), sales volumes marked the largest monthly increase since April 2021 when non-essential retailing reopened. An increase came after a four per [...]
Gucci owner bags a stellar year outperforming pre-pandemic profits February 17, 2022 The owner of brands including Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent announced that profit topped pre-Covid levels in 2021 as luxury designers craft a comeback. The French firm Kering reported net profit of €3.2bn (£2.7bn) last year – up 37 per cent on 2019 – while revenues hit a record €17.6bn. Gucci led the way, bagging [...]
Dettol-maker Reckitt Benckiser reports revenue boost February 17, 2022 Dettol-maker Reckitt Benckiser beat analysts’ expectations today as it reported revenues grew to £13.2bn in 2021.
Coffee sales drive Nestlé growth while plant-based food momentum swells February 17, 2022 Sales of coffee products have driven Nestlé’s organic growth while total reported sales hit a sum worth £69.46bn. In full-year results for 2021, the world’s largest food and beverage company said total reported sales increased 3.3 per cent to 87.1bn in Swiss currency. Organic growth stood at 7.5 per cent, driven by strong momentum for [...]