MPs: Pubs need tax overhaul to thrive in post-pandemic recovery February 9, 2022 A cross-party report has urged the government to overhaul the tax system in order to help the pub industry recover from its pandemic woes. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pubs (Pubs APPG) heard from more than 15,000 publicans, consumers and sector bodies. The group examined the impact of the Covid pandemic on pubs and what [...]
Pandora sparkles as organic growth exceeds guidance February 9, 2022 Danish jewellery maker Pandora has recorded record revenue in its fourth quarter results, driving its share price up on Wednesday morning. The charm-bracelet manufacturer reported full year organic growth of 23 per cent compared to 2020, exceeding guidance. Its earnings before interest and tax margin grew 25 per cent, also higher than anticipated. Sales were [...]
Amazon Prime fees could soon rise to over £90 for 15m Brits despite record UK sales of £23.6bn February 9, 2022 Amazon’s UK revenue jumped over 20 per cent last year. That won’t halt a rise of at least 17 per cent in the cost of Prime membership, if it follows the lead of Amazon US. Even though Amazon has just announced record sales of £23.6bn here in the UK, it’s unlikely that will stop a [...]
PZ Cussons adjusted profit declines as headwinds cause Carex sales slump February 9, 2022 Personal healthcare manufacturer PZ Cussons has registered a 9.6 per cent decline in profit after subsidiary Carex reported an easing of demand for personal hygiene products. In the half year ended 30 November, the group’s adjusted operating profit went down to £32.9m while sales slumped 9.3 per cent to £283.7m. Earnings per share also dropped [...]
Dunelm reports record profits as macroeconomic troubles leave group unscathed February 9, 2022 Home furnishing giant Dunelm reported today record profits, as it managed to emerge unscathed from the impact of Omicron, supply chain issues and inflationary surges. In the six months ended 25 December, Dunelm announced a £140.8m profits before tax, 25.3 per cent up on last year’s £112.4m. The group’s gross margin went up 80 basis [...]
Share boost for Joules as boss warns of ‘severe’ cost increases February 8, 2022 Lifestyle retailer Joules saw its shares soar on Tuesday, although it warned of “the severe inflationary cost environment.” In interim results ended 28 November 2021, the Leicestershire-based company posted a pre-tax profit of £2.6bm. This was double the £1.3m profit in the comparable period last year. Revenue soared 35 per cent to £127.9m, up from [...]
Greggs and Primark roll out fashion range together February 8, 2022 Bakery chain Greggs has announced it is collaborating with Primark to launch a limited-edition fashion collection. A range of 11 clothing items will launch across 60 Primark stores from 19 February , with clothes branding the Greggs logo and slogans such as “It’s a pastry thing.” The two high street names will open an appointment-only [...]
Perfect storm of rising costs to hit retail return February 8, 2022 Total retail sales jumped 7.5 per cent during January compared to the same month in 2020. However, retail bosses have warned consumers and firms face a challenging few months ahead with a perfect storm of rising costs. Shoppers were less eager to buy non-food items in stores over the three months to January, compared to [...]
M&S remains UK’s fastest growing supermarket catching up with Big Four grocers February 8, 2022 Marks & Spencer has maintained its position as UK’s fastest growing food retailer, market researcher NielsenIQ said today, indicating its turnaround plan is gaining momentum. It said M&S’s sales rose 12.3 per cent in the 12 weeks to January 29 year-on-year, giving it a market share of 3.6 per cent, up 0.4 percentage points on [...]
Ocado shares plummet 10 per cent as investors show anxiety towards ‘resilient’ growth February 8, 2022 Ocado’s shares are taking a beating this afternoon, with investors appearing unimpressed by group revenue and international expansion. Despite the online retailer reporting that group revenue was up 7.2 per cent to £2.5bn for the full year, shares plummeted as much as ten per cent this morning. It comes after Ocado, which is a 50:50 [...]